Novia Heroanto – illustratör

Our Map is aheart-warming children's book that explores themes of friendship, heritage, andthe power of imagination and educates young readers about the importance ofcultural understanding and the value of creating new narratives. It is perfectfor families, educators, and anyone looking to inspire children to embracetheir heritage and appreciate the diverse world around them.JJ's best friend, Lee, struggles with mapsbecause his parents, who were refugees, fled their homeland at a very youngage. Lee doesn’t know where his parents' country is and feels a sense of lossand confusion. In a tender moment, JJ attempts to show Lee their home countrieson the map, highlighting the vast deserts of Australia, the beautiful nationalparks of Bangladesh, and the immense Great Wall of China. However, Lee’sparents' country is nowhere to be found on the map. This realisation prompts JJand Lee to understand that not all places are represented on traditional maps,especially those lost to conflict and change. Lee's poignant story of hisparents' homeland, which had water, houses, animals, and playgrounds thatdisappeared, underscores the transient nature of maps and the histories theyrepresent.Determined to create something new andmeaningful, JJ suggests drawing a new map. With the help of their teacher, MissYoung, and their classmates, JJ and Lee gather papers and markers to starttheir creative project. Each child contributes drawings of their homes andfavourite places, from Clare’s family house in the Netherlands to Luke’stownhouse and pizza. Lee sketches a playground and an old house, while JJ addsa treehouse next to a botanic garden. Together, they assemble their drawingsinto a unique map that reflects their diverse backgrounds and sharedexperiences. This new map, unlike any other, becomes a symbol of their unityand creativity. The children proudly hold up their new map, knowing that itrepresents their identity and no one can take it away.