• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Baby + Toddler (0-2)
  • Pre-K (3-5)
  • Beginning Readers (6-7)
  • Growing Readers (7-9)
  • Tweens (10-12)
Happily Ever Elephants
Happily Ever Elephants

Happily Ever Elephants

The Best Kids Books Found Here!

  • Home
  • Book Lists
  • Kids Book Clubs
  • Winter Books
  • About
  • Home
  • Baby + Toddler (0-2)
  • Pre-K (3-5)
  • Beginning Readers (6-7)
  • Growing Readers (7-9)
  • Tweens (10-12)
Books by Theme » Friendship » My Two Blankets, by Irena Kobald

My Two Blankets, by Irena Kobald

By Lauren Bercuson ·  Published: Jan 26, 2017 ·  Modified: Dec 14, 2021 ·  This post may contain affiliate links


One smile.  One smile can break boundaries and illuminate the darkness of the unknown.  In no uncertain terms, one smile — one tiny, simple smile — can be life changing.  Sometimes we forget how easy it is, in the midst of too much yelling or too many other deafening noises, to smile at someone who needs it.  But this one simple action can move mountains, and it is so important to remember that for so many people, a smile may be all it takes to carry them through a day.

One of my insta pals (but I can’t remember WHO! please remind me!) recommended My Two Blankets, by Irena Kobald, with illustrations by Freya Blackwood.  In this gorgeous story, a girl called Cartwheel moves to a new country with her auntie, and in her new surroundings, everything is strange.  Only a metaphorical blanket brings her comfort, until the day that she meets a new girl and the two embark on a friendship that begins with a smile. Soon Carthweel’s friend is teaching her new words and helping her acclimate to her new world.  And as Cartwheel becomes more and more comfortable, she begins to weave a new blanket, one that grows warmer and more comfortable every day.

RELATED: Looking for more books that celebrate our beautiful, diverse word? Check out these incredible diverse books for children!

My Two Blankets is beautiful and touching, and it sheds a much-needed light on the refugee experience as well as what it means to be a stranger in a strange land. As a parent, there is nothing I want more than to instill in my boys the importance of being global citizens, citizens who celebrate diversity and welcome the opportunity to learn from those of different backgrounds. It is so easy to fear “other,” but this heartfelt and touching story reminds us that “other” is something we can so easily embrace if we simply open our hearts and minds.  It can start with a smile.  A  hello.  The extension of a hand. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to change a life.  My Two Blankets is a must read multicultural friendship story, especially in today’s times.  A beautiful, moving story that gets two huge trunks up.

Want the book? Get it here! My Two Blankets, by Irena Kobald.  *This is an affiliate link.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

3-4

« Previous PostWe Found a Hat, by Jon Klassen
Next Post »Bark, George, by Jules Feiffer

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE:

  • 3-4

    Picture Books About Friendship: BIKES FOR SALE & Chance Encounters!
  • 3-4

    A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE Shines a Light on Empathy and Friendship
  • 3-4

    Picture Books About Friendship: BE A FRIEND & its Message of Inclusiveness!

Never Miss a Happily Ever Elephants Newsletter!

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Happily Ever Elephants!

Lauren

Hi! I’m Lauren. I’m a boy mom, former attorney, current elementary school librarian, and moderator of book clubs for kids around the country. My goal is to make storytime with your children both magical and meaningful. Welcome! LEARN MORE 

AS FEATURED IN

Good Housekeeping

Winter Books

10+ Valentine’s Day Books for Kids!

Children’s Books About Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Cutest Children’s Books About Penguins

The Best Lunar New Year Read-Aloud Books!

SEE ALL WINTER BOOKS

Popular Posts

kindergarten-read-alouds

These Kindergarten Read Alouds Will Wow Kids!

The covers of 9 of the best books for 10 year olds.

The Best Books for 10-Year-Olds To Excite Your Kids!

The cover of Gossie with some rubber ducks, a great book for 2 year olds.

The Best Books for 2-Year-Olds Your Reader Will Love!

beginning-reader-books

The Ultimate List of the Best Books for Beginning Readers!

JOIN OUR BOOK CLUB

Browse by Age

BABY + TODDLER (0-2)
PRE-K (3-5)
BEGINNING READER (6-7)
GROWING READER (7-9)
TWEENS (10-12)
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Footer

Don’t miss a single book.

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

Buy the Books

The best virtual book clubs for kids. Why read alone when we can read together?

JOIN NOW!

Copyright © 2023 ·  Happily Ever Elephants LLC ·  Review Policies & Disclosures ·  Accessibility ·  Website by Anchored Design

0 shares