“Sometimes people talk about things being ‘half a world away,’ But they don’t know how far that really is! I do. My name is Esme, and this is my story!”

Half A World Away is the story of Esme, a young girl that travels with her family to her father's home country of Sri Lanka. While there she visits family, connects with her culture, and learns what it means for a place to feel close to her heart, even though it's half a world away.

Release date: April 2, 2024 - International Children’s Book Day

Online orders will ship media mail within 2 business days.

$19.95 plus shipping

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

Filled with colorful illustrations imbued with the rich tradition and aesthetics of Sri Lankan batik, Half a World Away is more than the journey within the story pages. The creation of this book was also a long journey!

From the author:

When my oldest daughter was in preschool, their classroom was learning about countries in Asia. I hoped to find something to share about my father’s country, Sri Lanka, but found nothing available for children at the time. I made simple picture books using our own family photos and shared them with the class. The kids had lots of questions about Sri Lanka, especially the masks and the elephants!

I knew then I wanted to be a part of shifting representation in children’s literature and decided to write a story based on our own family’s journey back to Sri Lanka. After my last two books, I anticipated a children’s book might be an easier effort. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Fewer words within the manuscript meant each word was more important, and the book went through many revisions and evolutions. The artwork was another huge effort; the illustrations within the book showcase hundreds of hours of painting over the course of several years, and many revisions until I felt like things were just so. I wanted the illustrations to be special and for the characters to be fun, inviting, and look like us.

I hope Half a World Away is a joyful read, one that helps children and grandchildren from the diaspora see representation of their roots and culture. And I hope it helps others learn a little bit about Sri Lanka, lifting the visibility of the country that I love.

Illustration by Jamie (Schumacher) Kalakaru-Mava. // Book design by Christina Vang - LaBang Studio, Ua Si Creative.

EVENTS AND READINGS:

Please join us for an exhibit featuring the artwork from the book as well as an artist reception at XIA Gallery!

• April 2, 4pm-6pm - Children’s Book Reading on International Children’s Book Day!

• April 13, 4pm-8pm - Artists Reception

  • XIA Gallery

  • 422 University Ave W, St Paul

  • St Paul, MN 55103

PRAISE FOR HALF A WORLD AWAY:

“With this stunning debut book, dual thread illustrator and writer Jamie Kalakaru-Mava combines distinct visuals with a relatable story. Her illustration style is vibrant, original, and inviting. Young readers will find multiple points of familiarity and curiosity in the story she tells. As awareness of our world and the people who share it grows, we need books like Jamie's, to add to a conversation that's long overdue.”

-Bao Phi, Author of Sông I Sing and A Different Pond.

“This charming, lively book brings readers through a unique journey to and from Sri Lanka, one of the author’s homelands. Through every special experience, readers can delight in familial and cultural history brought close through a child’s eyes filled with wonder and love. The illustrations glow with a sense of place and care for relationships.” 

-  신 선 영 Sun Yung Shin, The Wet Hex and Where We Come From

“Half A World Away is a colorful memory-scape that gives us a tender glimpse into one family's connection to Sri Lanka and what it means to 'be home'. American children's literature is more rich and vibrant because of stories like Half A World Away.” 

- Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay, playwright and author of When Everything was Everything

“Embark on a journey through the vibrant world of Sri Lanka in this touching children's book, a labor of love by my aunt that not only honors my cherished grandfather but also fills a vital gap in children's literature. In a world where diversity is key, this book is a beacon, offering a glimpse into a culture often overlooked, fostering understanding and representation that is both significant and rare.” 

- Chloe Amarilla, Esq.

"Young readers will enjoy this sweet story about reconnecting with one’s family culture.” 

- Mélina Mangal, Jayden’s Impossible Garden, The Vast Wonder of the World

“Visually stunning, colorful and bright- this book is a beautiful and unique love letter from our family to yours. This story is a celebration of the values we hold most dear as a family: love for each other, pride for our roots, and of course, our love for yummy Sri Lankan food! What a joy it is to have a book that shines a light on our little teardrop-shaped country of Sri Lanka, which can be passed on and shared for generations to come. There is much gratitude for the inspiring spirit that is Jamie Kalakaru-Mava, or as I know her, my auntie! Thank you for sharing your heart on every page of this book” 

- Corina Sagun, illustrator - Butterflies and Tall Bikes

“This fascinating and heart warming story takes me back to the culture once I called my own. As a child of immigrants, Jamie dives into her dad’s Sri Lankan culture by identifying his roots and traits through her own lenses. She embraced her dad’s determination in life, hard working ethic and family values. His most valuable asset was his family, and he instilled that in his daughters. The extra mile Jamie goes through to reveal who her father is very powerful, the role she is showcasing to her young children is admirable!” 

- Kusala Wijesekera

“I don’t know. I’m not sure kids are going to want to read a book about places they’ve never been to.” 

- Jamie’s dad