Smile Book

Empowering Immigrant and Refugee Children in New Zealand

Project highlights

Creative solutions

"How can a free, human-centered activity booklet support young immigrant and refugee children during their transition into New Zealand’s education system and wider society?"

Role:
Graphic Designer
Illustrator
Research

Problem:
The global refugee crisis is impacting children at a young age. Upon resettlement in New Zealand, many children face the challenge of adapting to a new culture, language, and educational environment. Research highlights that these children often deal with trauma, language barriers, and different cultural norms including unfamiliar schooling systems and social expectations. Despite New Zealand being one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the OECD, there is a lack of accessible, culturally sensitive resources for younger migrant and refugee children. These gaps can lead to feelings of alienation and disconnection, both socially and educationally.

Purpose:
Smile was designed to fill this gap. It is more than just an activity book it is a personal and empowering space for children aged 5–9 to process, explore, and learn during a time of cultural transition. It offers a comforting, consistent resource that children can return to, one that is bright, supportive, and uniquely theirs.

Project

Research + Insight:

Through examining migration data, academic literature, and the challenges faced by newcomer families, the project identified key opportunities to help children: Build confidence in language through simple, visual prompts.
Express feelings and emotions safely.
Learn practical information about their new environment.
See their culture represented and celebrated.
This insight led to the creation of a booklet that combines emotional expression, language support, and practical guidance in one accessible, child-focused resource.

Here’s how:

The Smile booklet:
Uses warm, inclusive design with illustrations, icons, and clear activities.Includes sections on feelings, new words, common routines, and cultural celebration.Encourages drawing, storytelling, and imagination.Is printed in vibrant colours and bound in a way that feels like “theirs” a book they can take ownership of.The branding uses cheerful, round typography and illustrations that reflect joy, cultural inclusivity, and calmness.

The Book:
At the heart of the Smile booklet is Ellie the Elephant a recurring character designed to provide consistency, comfort, and a friendly guide throughout the book.
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Elephants are often seen as symbols of wisdom and calm, and Ellie was created to be instantly recognisable, warm, and emotionally grounding for children. She appears on nearly every page to build familiarity, making the booklet feel like a companion rather than just a resource.The design process began with initial sketches and character concepts, followed by feedback sessions with people connected to migrant and refugee communities, including educators, families, and community workers. This input was essential in shaping both Ellie’s design and the overall tone of the book.
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Early iterations were refined to ensure Smile was visually rich and inviting, balancing educational themes with a non-intimidating, child-friendly tone. Every page was crafted with care to feel encouraging and safe, while still subtly introducing key elements of language learning, emotional literacy, and integration support.
Colour was used intentionally bright and cheerful but never overwhelming helping to maintain positivity while respecting the emotional sensitivity needed for children going through big changes.

Outcome:
The final Smile booklet aims to:
Create a sense of belonging and safety.Empower young minds with tools for expression and learning.
Offer culturally responsive content at no cost.
Support integration into the New Zealand education system while celebrating diversity.