WOW Review: Volume XVII, Issue 2 • Page 7 of 9 • Worlds of Words

Mishka
Written by Edward van de Vendel & Anoush Elman
Illustrated by Annet Schaap
Translated by Nancy Forest-Flier
Levine Querido, 2024, 152 pp
ISBN: 9781646144587

Roya’s family left Afghanistan by plane, train, bus, and foot. Finally, after five long years in a refugee center, they can stay in the Netherlands. As they settle into their new home Mama, Papa, Roya, and her three older brothers, Bashir, Hamayan, and Navid, welcome a new family member, Mishka, a dwarf rabbit. Mishka quickly becomes an important part of their home, especially for Roya, who finds in Mishka a confident and non-judgmental ear. When Mishka goes missing, Roya has a breakdown at school that reflects her deep connection with her pet as well as the beautiful relationship she shares with her brothers.

Originally written in Dutch and told through Roya’s eyes, this award-winning book is funny, sweet and touching. Readers will enjoy the playful moments between Roya, her brothers, and Mishka, particularly as Roya discovers Mishka’s unique way of expressing deep comfort and security. Now, Roya can only hope for Mishka to feel that same sense of trust with her.

At the same time, the story addresses the family’s refugee experience by highlighting the role of stories and storying as a vehicle for remembering, restoring, and healing. The family’s memories of Afghanistan can help readers understand the characters’ lives and cultural identities in a meaningful way. Simultaneously, the story shows the challenges the family faces as refugees, such as experiencing microaggressions from neighbors. Readers will notice that the siblings are depicted as strong, knowledgeable, and compassionate individuals able to navigate complex situations across contexts.

Mishka can be read alongside other titles that explore themes of displacement, cultural adaptation, and refugee experiences in general, or the Afghan refugee experience, in particular. For example, the biography titled Fly, Girl, Fly!: Shaesta Waiz Soars Around the World by Nancy Row Pim and Alexandra Bye (2020) follows a young Afghan girl living in the United States who pursues her big dreams and becomes the youngest woman—and the first from Afghanistan—to fly solo around the globe in a single-engine aircraft. Another pairing is about siblings together on a difficult journey. Erika Meza (2023) in To the Other Side addresses children crossing the U.S. border by using masks and play to narrate the difficult times along with feelings of hope. So many wonderful titles could be paired with Mishka! One that also addresses animals is The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld (2018). In this kind story, the rabbit is the only animal who listens to Taylor after something sad has happened. While Mishka does not rely on the personification of animal characters, both stories highlight the profound and meaningful role animals play in shaping human lives and relationships.

Edward van de Vendel has been a Dutch author, school principal, teacher, and founder. He has been nominated for prestigious awards like the Hans Christian Andersen Prize and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and won the German Jugendliteratur Prize. In 2023, he received the Netherlands’ highest award for children’s literature, the Gouden Griffel, for Mishka. Edward resides in Amersfoort and his work can be further explored on his website.

Ramin Kawous, who uses the pen name Anoush Elman, was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. He moved to the Netherlands with his parents, brothers, and sister, when he was 12 years old. Just like Roya’s family, his family waited seven years to receive their residence permit. He studied applied psychology, worked as a senior researcher at Pharos (the Dutch Center of Expertise on Health Disparities), and earned his doctorate in 2022.

Annet Schaap is a Dutch author and illustrator who has been translated into 22 languages. Her debut book Lampe (2017) won the Gouden Griffel, the British Carnegie Medal, and the Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi. Readers can find more about her work at her website.

Nancy Forest-Flier, an American translator and editor, resides and works in the Netherlands. She has translated novels for both adults and children, as well as works of historical nonfiction. Additionally, she has worked with various Dutch museums and institutes, including the Anne Frank House, providing translation services. Her work can be further explored on her website.

María V. Acevedo-Aquino, Texas A&M-San Antonio

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