So, here's a children's librarian secret: sometimes, when we're supposed to be shelf-reading during our down time, we see a book on the shelf and go, "Oh, this looked so cute when I ordered it, but I forgot to actually read it!" and since picture books are so tiny, we just go ahead and read it right there and have our little moment of warm fuzzies and move on. Or sometimes, such as with me and Islandborn earlier today, we end up scurrying off to the bathroom to hide until we can contain ourselves because wow, who knew a children's book was going to trigger the waterworks today?

Anyways, seriously, this book is so beautiful and literally had me crying in the stacks today. My heart absolutely breaks for anyone experiencing diasporia, anyone missing their home or wishing they remembered more of it, and anyone whose home has ever been taken from them by a monster like the Monster from the Island. I absolutely cannot recommend Islandborn highly enough.