Text by Natalia Beskhlebnaya, illustrated by Anastasia Novozhilova
A tender and deeply metaphorical story about war, migration, and the meaning of home told through the friendship between a little boy and the archway of his house.
A little boy lives in a house with a beautiful arch. Every day he passes through it: on his scooter, his bicycle, in his mother’s arms, even balancing on one foot just for fun. To him, the arch is not simply part of the house, it is a friend, a witness to his childhood, and a symbol of safety and belonging. But one day the war begins. His mother tells him they must leave their home and move to another country. The arch stays behind, beyond the borders they can no longer cross. In the unfamiliar new city, there is no arch, no familiar streets, and no certainty about the future. Borders transforms the difficult experience of forced migration into a gentle, emotional story for children and adults. Rather than focusing on loss alone, the book speaks about emotional boundaries and the idea that home can survive inside us even when we are far away from it.
KEY SELLING POINTS
A sensitive and timely story about war, displacement, and separation told from a child’s perspective.
Helps children process difficult experiences such as leaving home, migration, and uncertainty, while giving adults the language to discuss these topics with care.
Atmospheric, delicate illustrations by Anastasia Novozhilova create a dreamlike space between memory and reality.
A universal story for readers of all ages whose sense of home and safety has been disrupted by forced migration or displacement.
Picture book Age: 65+ Pages: 40 Size: 220*290 mm Published in 2025 by Samokat
