believes that her own experience is valuable – not just for Syrian children and their families, but for others trying to understand the effect of war. She says: “Storytelling is therapeutic in a way. I can tell that story and the people listening can connect and disconnect with it as much as they want – what better way to explain to children about life, than through stories?” A mother now, Nadine is even more conscious of how stories can build connections – not just to places, but to people and events. She says: “I want my children to be proud of their cultural heritage and to feel connected to the beautiful and ancient place that they come from. I’m happy for them to feel as British as they are, but want them to be proud about where they come from and to learn about this beautiful place. “My constant obsession as a writer is to focus on the culture and heritage, and to let that shine through. These are the things that define us, not the conflict or the reason we had to leave. “I lived all my life in Syria and it makes me who I am – it forms my memory and my identity. As a child I remember how safe it was and the sense of community. People lived together and for the community – the family would be together, grandmother, daughter and granddaughter.”


Storytelling through memories That connection to the past is something that goes beyond memory. There are shared memories, passed down from generation to generation, creating a family story that shapes all those who are part of it. So, memory is not just for an individual to hold on to, but rather another form of storytelling. Nadine points to the conversations that flow from her stories, saying: “When I read for Syrian families, it is beautiful to see how the stories also work on their parents’ memory. The parents get excited when we talk about Jasmine, because it is very important for people in Syria. The stories open the conversation between family members – the children and parents start to talk about what life was like in Syria and what they miss.


“Books are very important to keep the conversation alive and to keep the stories going. Stories are the best way to keep our memories alive by telling each other and passing them on.”


Fine lines


For refugees, those positive memories are important and can help to move beyond the trauma of war. For children who were very young when they left, as well as those born here, these shared memories create a sense of pride and


Spring-Summer 2023


Nadine Kaadan.


cultural belonging, as well as changing perceptions associated with war and seeking refuge.


Nadine’s latest titles are both collaborations, but both are linked to that notion of changing perceptions. A Child Like You comes first and is inspired


by four young activists from around the world – Greta Thunberg, Marley Dias, Iqbal Masih, and Yusra Mardini. Nadine provided the illustrations, working with author Na’ima B. Robert to create the book and says: “The beauty of a book like this is that it is a journey, and it evolves through discussions between the author and editor and illustrator, and we develop it together. My main obsession was to not look at the children with pity. Rather, I wanted readers to feel empowered by them and inspired by their resilience. There is a fine line between empathy and pity, and I really did not want it to be about pity.”


Nadine was especially keen to show that difficulties can be felt anywhere in the world – and the four children portrayed in the book she chose to demonstrate that fact. Nadine adds that the book sends a strong message, saying: “There is unfairness everywhere in the world, and I always wonder how I tell me children about that. There is one message I want to show my


PEN&INC. 19


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