

Saroo’s story is evocative and emotional in whatever format it has been read or viewed in, and Bruce Whateley’s exquisite illustrations look as though they’re based on photos from Saroo’s life – they look like they could be photographs, and work well with the story – when put together, they capture the spirit and emotion of Saroo’s journey and the bright colours give hope and joy to a story that at times is hard and sad. This moving and beautifully illustrated story captures the ups and downs of life, and the realities of life, in a gentle way that younger children can understand and start to come to terms with. It can be used to explain orphans and adoption, and the different types of families, and what it means to have two families who love you, and being able to have both in your life – the impact that all these people have had and the importance they will continue to have. Poignant and lovely, this is the latest edition of Saroo’s story, which also has adult and younger reader editions, and now children embarking on their first reading journey can experience this story of family, adoption and journeys home. Saroo’s story is powerful and touching – the story of a young life touched by two loving families, and a reunion that is tear-jerking for many reasons. A place whose name he’s forever known but has been just out of reach – the words changing on his young tongue as he learned to pronounce words. It was always part of him, just as his life in Australia was.Ī chance discovery on Google Earth sets Saroo on the long journey home – to a place he knows so well yet has been away from for so long.

But he never forgot his home and family in India. He spent twenty-five years living in Tasmania with a loving family, who did all they could to help him adjust. The 2016 film version, Lion, stars Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, and Rooney Mara. Nobody could find his family, and he was deemed an orphan, and adopted by the Brierly family from Australia. Our Reading Guide for A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley includes Book Club. When Saroo Brierly was found in 1986 on the streets of Calcutta, he’d travelled a long way from home, and had lost his brother. This incredible true story celebrates the importance of hope and never giving up. And one day, after years of searching, he miraculously found what he was looking for. He survived for weeks on the streets, before being taken into an orphanage and adopted by his Australian family.ĭespite being happy, Saroo always wondered about where he was from. Saroo Brierley became lost on a train in India when he was only five. Now a stunning picture book illustrated by award-winning illustrator Bruce Whatley.Ĭan you imagine being lost and not finding your way home again? The extraordinary true story of survival that became an international bestseller and was made into the award-winning film, Lion, starring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel. Now a stunning picture book illustrated by multi-award-winning illustrator, Bruce Whatley. Synopsis: The extraordinary and inspiring true story that became an internationally bestselling book and award-winning film, Lion. This edition features new material from Saroo about his childhood, including a new foreword and a Q&A about his experiences and the process of making the film.Author: Saroo Brierly, illustrated by Bruce Whateley And one day, after years of searching, he miraculously found what he was looking for and set off on a journey to find his mother. When he was a young man, the advent of Google Earth led him to pore over satellite images of India for landmarks he recognized. Despite being happy in his new family, Saroo always wondered about his origins. Not knowing the name of his family or where he was from, he survived for weeks on the streets of Kolkata before being taken into an orphanage and adopted by a couple in Australia. Saroo had become lost on a train in India at the age of five. When Saroo Brierley used Google Earth to find his long-lost hometown half a world away, he made global headlines. The young listeners' edition of the true story that inspired Lion, the major motion picture starring Dev Patel, David Wenham, Rooney Mara, and Nicole Kidman.
