Two books that take on a similar theme, create two very different titles. The first is for ages 10 and up, but due to the lack of text, younger could read the illustrations will adult supervision for questions. And the second, while aimed at kids, the picture book format could turn some off. It is an art book that really is meant for adults, but the right child (especially with an adult guidance) could find it. All ages can read it, but I would go for the older crowd, despite the oversized format.
Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos is a beautifully illustrated story that is mostly wordless. The interpretations of this story are based on your own imagination.
However, you can see some of the main themes: immigration, separation from family and the reason why our main character is leaving without too many questions. We see Isla (we know this due to the visual clues and title) leave her beloved home and parents to live with a strange couple in a strange city, with strange customs, style, and language. The emotions come from the colors that represent the where and time this all takes place. The atmosphere of the story feels busy and can be tense, until Isla finally starts to understand how she can find a home in this new world, too. An afterwards give more background on the historical background. This would make an interesting short, art film, with or without speach.
The Arrival by Shaun Tan is gorgeously illustrated in surreal realistic images. Limited only by the imagination of the reader, this book is both beautiful and ugly due to the reasons people left their countries for this new one. Immigration is shown in a powerful and yet, soft, manner. This is because love is used as the driving factor behind the people we meet and Tan’s illustrations are blurry, but mostly understandable. Still, things are not perfect and can go into an almost abstract manner. All types of immigrants fill the city our main character leaves to. Several people he meets has a story to tell him, as he struggles to find his way. These are told in fantastical imagery where “dragons” loom over the city or men using flames to burn all in sight. There is a sweet ending. 