Children learning about migration and family history

FOR FAMILIES &SCHOOLS

Every family has a story worth remembering.

Learning Through Family Stories

Antonio’s Suitcase is a beautifully illustrated children’s book inspired by a true story of courage, sacrifice and hope. It celebrates the migrant generation who left their homelands to build a better life for the families who would follow.

Perfect for classrooms and families alike, the story encourages children to explore their own family history, celebrate cultural heritage and discover the values that connect us across generations.

More than one family’s story

This is more than Antonio’s story.

It is a story about courage, hope, belonging and the journeys of millions of families who crossed oceans in search of a brighter future. Whether your family came from Italy, Greece, Croatia, Lebanon, Vietnam, China, India, Ireland or anywhere else in the world, every family has a story worth remembering.

Their courage became our future.

 

“Their dream became our life. Their story is our legacy.”

Family History Activity Booklet

Bring Antonio’s Story to Life

A collection of printable activities to help children explore their family history, interview relatives, create family trees, map their journey and record the stories that make their family unique.

  • Fun and educational
  • Perfect for classrooms and families
  • Explore and connect
  • Encourages meaningful conversations
  • Create keepsakes
  • Preserve memories for future generations
Download Free Activity Book
Antonio’s Suitcase children’s activity book cover

Antonio’s Suitcase Comprehension Worksheet

Read, Remember and Discover

A printable comprehension worksheet designed to help children engage more deeply with Antonio’s Suitcase. The questions encourage children to recall important events, understand Antonio’s journey and look closely at the illustrations for extra clues.

  • Supports reading comprehension
  • Encourages careful observation
  • Includes questions based on the story and illustrations
  • Helps children understand migration, family and belonging
  • Ideal for classroom discussion or independent work
  • Suitable for primary school students
Download Free Comprehension Worksheet

Follow Antonio’s Journey

In 1955, Antonio sailed from Napoli, Italy, to begin a new life in Melbourne, Australia. Follow his journey across the seas.

Use the map to spark conversations about distance, travel and the courage it takes to leave home. How might Antonio have felt, and what would you have packed in your suitcase?

Click the map to enlarge it, or download a copy to explore at home or in the classroom.

Download Journey Map (PDF)

My Family Story Worksheet

Discover the Story of Your Family

A printable family-history activity designed to encourage children to learn about the people, places, journeys and traditions that have shaped their own family.
Children can complete their family tree, interview a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent or older relative, and record special memories and stories to keep for the future.

  • Explore your family history
  • Interview parents, grandparents and relatives
  • Record family memories and traditions
  • Discover where your family came from
  • Create a personal family tree
  • Encourages meaningful family conversations
  • Perfect for classrooms and families
  • Preserve stories for future generations
Download Free My Family Story Worksheet

Every family has a story. Let’s discover yours. ♡

THEMES EXPLORED

Learning Activities

Continue the Journey

Vintage suitcase symbolising migration and family memories

Pack a Suitcase

If you could only take a few treasured belongings to a new country, what would you choose—and why?

Family tree icon representing family history

Create Your Family Tree

Discover the generations who came before you and explore the people who shaped your family’s story.

Interview a Grandparent

Ask a parent, grandparent or older relative about their childhood, traditions and memories to help preserve your family history.

Map the Journey

Find where your family came from and trace their journey to Australia—or wherever they made their new home.

Open book icon representing Antonio's Suitcase

Write Your Family Story

Record a treasured family memory or write about someone whose courage helped shape your family’s future.