A Suitcase Full: A Story of Starting New and Carrying Home in Your Heart

A Suitcase Full explores themes of the immigrant experience, home, identity, and the power of family. When young Kimia and her parents are forced to flee Iran, they set off on a journey around the world.



The Stories You Carry: A Suitcase Full of Family, Culture, and Courage



A Suitcase Full is a heartfelt picture book about the love of family, the power of one's story, and the beauty of embracing change while leaving and finding home. When a young girl's family is forced to flee Iran, there isn't time to make a plan. With only one suitcase, Kimia is forced to leave behind many cherished possessions as well as say goodbye to her beloved grandmother, Nana-joon. As years pass, the family lives in vibrant cities like London and Paris, but are never able to stay for long. After traveling halfway around the world, they finally find a new place to call home on the island of O'ahu. When Kimia's new teacher assigns the class a special project—bringing a suitcase filled with meaningful objects—Kimia finds a way to weave her past into her present, celebrating both her roots and her growth.



Through stunning illustrations and poignant storytelling, A Suitcase Full invites readers to explore their own life stories and identities, to embrace changes as opportunities to learn and grow, and to appreciate travel and cultures around world.



With A Suitcase Full, readers can:



Share in the joys and challenges of starting fresh in a new place

Explore themes of resilience, belonging, and what it means to carry your story with you

Find comfort and hope when adjusting to new homes or schools



Based on the author's childhood, A Suitcase Full encourages shared storytelling and conversations about family history, migration, language, culture, and resilience.