• Age: 5 to 9
• Grade: 2 to 4
• Reading age: 6 to 8

A young girl and her family arrive in an airport in a new country. They are refugees, migrants who have travelled across the world to find safety. Strangers greet them, and one of them gives the little girl a doll.

Decades later, that little girl is grown up and she has the chance to welcome a group of refugees who are newly arrived in her adopted country. To the youngest of them, a little girl, she gives a doll, knowing it will help make her feel welcome.

Inspired by real events.

Nhung N. Tran-Davies is a physician and advocate for social justice through education. Her family came to Canada as refugees from Vietnam in 1979, and in 2013 Nhung founded the Children of Vietnam Benevolent Foundation. She spoke at the UN's International Organization on Migration in Geneva as part of their "I am a Migrant" campaign to help reduce hate speech and promote tolerance. Nhung and her family live outside Edmonton, Alberta.

Nhung N. Tran-Davies' profile page

Ravy Puth uses illustration to convey ideas of social action, convinced that art with a purpose is key to achieving impact and lasting significance. Born in Canada of Cambodian-Chinese parents, her work focuses on representations and cultural identities, that she explores through narratives of migration and feminism. She lives in Montreal, Quebec.

Ravy Puth's profile page

• Short-listed, Blue Spruce 2022 Award

"Nhung N. Tran-Davies tells her story in a gentle poetic text, using experiences as a child and matching them with the contemporary experiences of Syrian refugees."

The Globe and Mail

"A touching, full-circle journey about the lasting impact of kindness."

Kirkus Reviews

"The illustrations and text form a riveting blend of kid-friendly perspectives with adult news stories but ultimately speak with one voice to say: small acts of kindness can challenge global issues of turmoil and injustice."

Alberta Views

"A wonderfully entertaining story for children ages 5-9 with an important underlying message about immigration, The Doll is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections."

Midwest Book Review

"Good children’s literature serves as windows and mirrors. The Doll is exactly this kind of literature – children see themselves as well as others in the book."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials