About |
Young Artem lives in Ukraine and, when war breaks out, his father stays behind to fight for freedom while Artem and his mother take the train to safety in neighboring Poland. Sad and confused, Artem gathers hope and strength from the kindness of others, and finds a way to pass it on. Hannah, a girl in the United States, worries about the Ukrainian children and figures out how to take action and make a difference.
Dr. Cohn says, “As children today often absorb narratives of violence and fear from the news, it is important to offer them stories about the powerful antidote of goodness and courage, and to inspire them—no matter how overwhelmed they may feel—to create change in the world around them one step at a time.” Dr. Cohn is also the author of many books, including Raising Compassionate, Courageous Children in a Violent World, Why Did It Happen? Helping Children Cope in a Violent World, The Christmas Menorahs, and I Had a Friend Named Peter.
Illustrator Yana Holubiatnikova lives in Kherson, Ukraine, a war zone she will not leave. During the Russian occupation of her hometown, she had to forage for food for her son and her pets while never missing a day of painting in her studio. Her talent as an artist is magnified by the fact that she is living the truth depicted in her illustrations. Of their collaboration together, Dr. Cohn says, “To me, Yana exemplifies the spirit and resilience of her fellow Ukrainians who persevere in the face of daily hardship and deprivation.”
A portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to the Ukraine Children's Action Project, which is responding to the urgent educational and psychological needs of the children of Ukraine. It is available now wherever books are sold.