Accessible, necessary, and powerful…
Cohn’s latest is a moving, timely picture book that weaves together the heartbreak of war and the quiet strength of human connection. At its heart are two children: Artem, a Ukrainian boy fleeing with his mother while his father stays behind to fight, and Hannah, an American girl who decides to raise money for World Central Kitchen by selling “freedom pancakes.” Their stories unfold in parallel, miles apart but emotionally linked. Cohn, a psychotherapist, writes with deep empathy. Artem’s confusion and sorrow are handled with honesty and restraint—his goodbye to his father, the comfort of familiar food in a foreign land, and his final act of kindness toward another refugee are especially affecting. Hannah’s campaign is not just symbolic; it’s practical, empowering, and based on real events. The watercolor illustrations by Yana Holubiatnikova, painted in war-torn Ukraine, are rich with emotion. Resources at the end offer clear ways for children (and adults) to support displaced families. But more importantly, they remind us that compassion matters. Whether it’s through a pancake sale or a shared piece of chocolate, kindness ripples outward.
Highly recommended for classrooms, libraries, and family bookshelves.
Pub date October 31, 2024
Le Chambon Press
ISBN 979-8989163588
Age 1-12 years
Price $29.19 (USD) Hardcover, $19.99 Paperback, $9.99 Kindle edition
