Tag Archives: Anna Danforth

Book Review: NOURISHED by Anna Danforth

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Nourished: Third Culture Kids & the Village They Need

by Anna Danforth

Published: 2026

Genre: Resource

Summary

Anna Danforth has drawn on her experiences as a TCK, the parenting of her own TCKs, and research to unpack the seven positive childhood experiences (PCE) of TCK life. The first five chapters set the backdrop for the TCK, including who is in a TCK’s village and why they matter. She spends a chapter discussing research on children growing up with PCE versus those who do not. Danforth then explores each of the seven PCE, plus a bonus need that she feels is also necessary – multigenerational belonging – in the next eight chapters. The last chapter sums up the book and urges the reader to think and do the next right thing for TCKs in their own lives.

The book’s structure is consistent and easy to follow. First, Danforth guides you through an exercise to examine your timeline of when you had an abundance of PCE and when you lacked it. This exercise is meant to show you that none of us has all seven PCEs at all times, but we can notice when they are lacking. This exercise can help parents and caregivers of TCKs create a timeline of their lives. The second way that the book is consistent is how it tackles each of the PCEs. Each chapter begins with a story that introduces us to the PCE, followed by the subheadings: Why is it Important?; What Happens When Kids Don’t Get It?; Why Are Kids Not Getting It?; and How Do We Do It? At the end of each of the chapters, Danforth offers self-reflection questions along with space to add to your own timeline.

Recommendations

I think this is one of the better TCK parenting books out today. It has experience, but it is backed by research. Anna has taken the time to verify the studies to ensure they are peer-reviewed, which is very important to me. She explains each PCE in story form before breaking it down. I will be honest: I did not agree with all of her parenting suggestions, but that doesn’t mean they were bad. We are different people and can have different opinions on how to go about parenting. But I do agree with all of the PCE, and even the bonus need she adds. If you are a parent or work with TCKs, I highly recommend this book. It is an excellent resource (notice how many tabs I have sticking out).

* Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Book Review: SAM’S ROOMMATE DISASTER by Anna Danforth

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SAM’S ROOMMATE DISASTER

by Anna Danforth

Genre: Middle Grade Novel

*Please note that I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate. Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of the page.

Summary

Sam, a fifth-grade boy, is a missionary kid (MK) in the jungles of Congo. His best friend and roommate at the dorm has left, and he is stuck with a new roommate who is awful. Jordan does not seem to like Sam and is a terrible roommate, but everyone else likes him. Sam can’t figure it out. Through some pretty wild, unforgettable adventures, Sam has to make a decision whether he and Jordan can work out their differences or if maybe Sam has misunderstood Jordan all along.

Recommendation

Anna Danforth brings true stories of her husband’s childhood to life in this middle-grade novel. It is for ages 8-12 year-olds. Books are needed for the TCK/MK population, and this book is a good start. It has a strong beginning that will have you turning the pages to find out what is next, but I found that the main plot fizzled towards the middle. The friendship plot did not have enough twists and turns to help keep the story moving forward. It was solved in them in the middle of the story, which left the plot with not a real climax or resolution. But with that said, Sam is very relatable and the adventures he and his friends have are very memorable. I do think young MKs will enjoy reading about a fellow missionary kid who understands some of the challenges of living overseas and living in a dorm.

Book Review: RAISING A FAMILY OVERSEAS by Anna Danforth

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RAISING A FAMILY OVERSEAS: Building Connection with Your Family and Host Culture During Transition

by Anna Danforth

*Please note as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This guide book is designed for families that are about to embark on a family adventure of living overseas. Anna surveyed over a hundred people that included parents, but also third culture kids, on the good and the hard of living overseas as a family. The people surveyed were from a variety of backgrounds that included military families, expats, families working in non-profit work and those in ministry. Anna uses quotes from the survey throughout the book, but also references from other resources that speak on TCKs, living overseas, and family connection in general. This makes the book stand out from some of the other guidebooks that have been published.

The book is organized in three sections which makes it easy for the reader to directly read the chapters that apply for that moment in time. Anna took time to write a good chunk on preparing to leave which includes a chapter on fundraising and what to do that last week before leaving. The second section is titled “Going” and involves ideas for your family while traveling to the new location. The last section is about living in the new location and how to go from scary to thriving. Throughout the book, Anna offers practical ideas and tips from her own experience and from those who took time to fill out the survey.

One of my favorite quotes seems to be a theme throughout the book. Anna writes, “Having a successful family experience in a new country is not contingent upon having a positive experience. It is contingent upon family connection, despite how good or bad your experience is” (p19). If you are about to embark on this journey with children, then I do recommend this book. If you are already living overseas with your family and looking for new ways to connect with your family you might be interested in this book as well.

*I did receive an ARC of this book from the author to review, but the above book review is my honest opinion.