War. Wilderness. And the will to live.

Asta and her younger sister, Pieta, have watched in terror as Hitler's invasion spreads across Europe. Eventually, the war arrives in their city, bringing with it destruction and death. As the Nazis clash with Stalin's Red Army and relentless bombing rains from above, the girls flee to their grandparents' farm in the countryside. But no place is safe. Surrounded by enemies, Asta and Pieta are presented with one chance at escape: a transport ship leaving from the Baltic Sea.

Getting from the farm to the coast is an impossible trip through a brutal war in the dead of winter. With food scarce, warm clothing lacking, and few resources, the sisters have little chance of making it. And Asta and Pieta are not alone in their plans--everyone is headed to the harbor with the same desperate hope. Securing a place on the ship will require nothing short of a miracle. Their dangerous journey is only just beginning, though, and the sisters can't begin to imagine what they'll have to sacrifice to survive . . .

A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year

A USBBY Outstanding International Book 2024
★ Provocative, powerful, breathtakingly beautiful. -STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews
★ Both timely and timeless, evoking war and its aftermath without losing sight of hope.-STARRED REVIEW, Booklist
★ Stark images in black and white lead this sympathetic wordless picture book about a girl who's enduring the war in Ukraine.-STARRED REVIEW, Foreword Review

Breathtaking -Ruta Sepetys, author of Between Shades of Gray
A beautiful and heartbreaking tribute to the resiliency of people in wartime;- School Library Journal
A moving portrait.-New York Times

A wordless picture book portrayal of war seen through the eyes of a young girl who finds hope in the symbolism of yellow butterflies against the background of a pure blue sky. Using the colors of his national flag, Oleksandr Shatokhin has created a deeply emotional response to the conflict in Ukraine and provided a narrative full of powerful visual metaphors for readers to consider as they travel from the devastating effects of war to a place of hope for peace and the future.

A portion of the sale of this book will be donated to the Universal Reading Foundation who supply children's books to Ukraine.

Back matter includes notes on sharing a wordless picture book and how to talk to children about war.

Sarah is happy to finally see her mom after two months of boot camp but she feels a distance between them that's more than the physical space that separates them. Is that her mom who stares straight ahead in a line of soldiers when Sarah calls out for her? Is that her mom who stomp stomp stomps in big, heavy boots and hides in camouflage clothing? Using the analogy of links in a chain, Camouflage Mom is the story about how Sarah reconnected with her mom after her mom joined the military.

In this memorable story, a young boy finds solace flying his kite from the rooftop after soldiers take his father and brother away.

Without his father and brother, the young boy's life is turned upside down. He and his family have to stay inside, along with everyone else in town. At suppertime, he can't stop looking at the two empty places at the table and his sister can't stop crying. The boy looks out the window and is chilled to see a tank's spotlight searching the park where he plays with his friends. He hears shouts and gunshots and catches sight of someone running in the street -- if only they could fly away, he thinks.

Each day the curfew is lifted briefly, and the boy goes to the park to see his friends. One day, inspired by the wind in the trees, he has an idea. Back at home he makes a kite, and that night he flies it from his rooftop, imagining what it can see.

In this moving story from Anne Laurel Carter, with haunting illustrations by Akin Duzakin, a young boy finds strength through his creativity and imagination.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

Join Lang Ford and his spirited friends in the thrilling sequel to the Fort Goode series. A Place to Call Home: Lang Ford has seamlessly settled into life at Fort Goode Military Base, where adventure and camaraderie are the norms of the day. With his loyal companions - Ying, Carlos, and George - by his side, there's never a dull moment in sight. Unveiling Hidden Gems: From secret hideouts that beckon exploration to joyous holiday parties filled with laughter and merriment, sack races that challenge their agility to daring rescue missions that test their mettle, Fort Goode is a treasure trove of unexpected surprises. The Winds of Change: However, the winds of change are always on the horizon. When news of a potential reassignment surfaces, Lang and his friends are faced with a heart-wrenching decision. Will their deep-seated friendships endure the test of separation, or will the bonds they've built at Fort Goode crumble? Fort Goode: The Goode Life is a heartwarming and relatable tale that delves into the essence of friendship, loyalty, and the uncertainties that come with life's twists and turns. Winsome Bingham's storytelling and Colin Bootman's vivid illustrations transport readers to a world of childhood wonder and the bittersweet reality of growing up. Discover a story that will tug at your heartstrings and make you reminisce about the unforgettable moments of youth. Fort Goode: The Goode Life is a timeless journey of friendship, resilience, and the enduring power of a shared adventure.

Cuántas veces les preguntamos a las niñas y niños cómo viven la guerra en su cabeza y en su corazón?

Obsesionado con los cinco tesoros de Ukrai, Brutus Robaplanetas desea acumular más poder sin importarle provocar una guerra que, de pronto, sacude la vida de Sofía, Andréi, la abuela Babu, la perrita Cora y de todos los habitantes del pequeño astro. De qué forma el amor y la esperanza ayudan a salir adelante en medio de la devastación? Lydia Cacho ofrece un conmovedor relato que nace a partir de la convivencia que tuvo con niñas y niños luego de su primer viaje a Ucrania, semanas después de la invasión rusa.

Lydia Cacho escribe como habla. Y eso es una inmensa virtud en nuestro gremio, donde se tiende a la exageración y al barroquismo. Y habla magistralmente de la guerra, sentada en la antigua fogata donde se tejen todas las historias del mundo para recordarnos, de manera clara y sencilla, que, afortunadamente, todavía hay lugar para la paz. Benito Taibo, escritor

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

How often do we ask children how they experience war in their minds and in their hearts?

Obsessed with the five treasures of Ukrai, Brutus Planet-Stealer wants to amass more power, without caring that in doing so he carelessly starts a war that suddenly shakes the lives of Sofía, Andrei, Grandma Babu, Cora the dog, and all the inhabitants of the small star.

How can love and hope help people move forward amid devastation? Lydia Cacho offers a moving story born from her time spent with children during her first trip to Ukraine, weeks after the Russian invasion.

Lydia Cacho writes as she speaks. And that is a great virtue in our profession, where exaggeration and embellishments are common. And she speaks masterfully about war, sitting by the ancient campfire where all the world's stories are woven, to remind us, clearly and simply, that fortunately, there is still room for peace. -Benito Taibo, writer

Cameron teaches us how to be resilient when faced with deployments, separation, and household changes.

Please be sure to check out our other LOAMC series. ( Resilience, Relocation, Perseverance )

www.lifeofamilitarychild.net

FB: Life of a Military Child

IG: Life of a Military Child

The Mud House is a heartfelt true story of two sisters, Nami and Ovi, who eagerly await their father's sporadic visits from the military. Their mother's guidance provides comfort as they navigate the challenges of his prolonged absence. Peering through the window becomes a symbol of hope, serving as a constant reminder that one day they will be reunited with their father.

Six men have the power to choose between war and peace in this bold picture book.

Once upon a time six men searched for a place where they could live and work in peace. At last they found the land they longed for. But for how long could they keep their new land peaceful?

In this surprising book, David McKee explores the causes of war in a story even young children can understand. In Six Men he has created a myth for our time.

Sarah is happy to finally see her mom after two months of boot camp but she feels a distance between them that's more than the physical space that separates them. Is that her mom who stares straight ahead in a line of soldiers when Sarah calls out for her? Is that her mom who stomp stomp stomps in big, heavy boots and hides in camouflage clothing? Using the analogy of links in a chain, Camouflage Mom is the story about how Sarah reconnected with her mom after her mom joined the military.

United States Coast Guardsmen are hard at work protecting our shores and saving lives 24/7! Flying planes, jumping from helicopters, saving the environment, and high-speed, high-seas chases are all in a day's work for these military moms. At the end of the day, their kids love to hear their sea stories.

Come learn from Coastie kids about the Coast Guard and what makes them so proud of what their moms do!

What ties a family together when Mom is thousands of miles away? This is a question that many military children face.

Maya's mommy is a sailor in the United States Navy. When Maya's mother gets deployed for ten months, Maya and her father experience the challenges, sacrifices, and triumphs of serving the country you love.

This endearing story highlights the strength and resilience of daughters and sons of Navy sailors. Through love and laughter, Maya's story shows that when families stick together, they can overcome any obstacles that come their way!

Camping in the Army is the perfect gift for the little one in your life who is missing their favorite soldier!

Whether it's mommy or daddy, brother or sister, or any loved one at all, readers can fill in the blank and add their own photos to personalize their book and honor their soldier. Whenever they pick it up, the book will serve as a sweet reminder of just how much they are loved and missed, even when their soldier is away, Camping in the Army!

Join Lang Ford and his spirited friends in the thrilling sequel to the Fort Goode series. A Place to Call Home: Lang Ford has seamlessly settled into life at Fort Goode Military Base, where adventure and camaraderie are the norms of the day. With his loyal companions - Ying, Carlos, and George - by his side, there's never a dull moment in sight. Unveiling Hidden Gems: From secret hideouts that beckon exploration to joyous holiday parties filled with laughter and merriment, sack races that challenge their agility to daring rescue missions that test their mettle, Fort Goode is a treasure trove of unexpected surprises. The Winds of Change: However, the winds of change are always on the horizon. When news of a potential reassignment surfaces, Lang and his friends are faced with a heart-wrenching decision. Will their deep-seated friendships endure the test of separation, or will the bonds they've built at Fort Goode crumble? Fort Goode: The Goode Life is a heartwarming and relatable tale that delves into the essence of friendship, loyalty, and the uncertainties that come with life's twists and turns. Winsome Bingham's storytelling and Colin Bootman's vivid illustrations transport readers to a world of childhood wonder and the bittersweet reality of growing up. Discover a story that will tug at your heartstrings and make you reminisce about the unforgettable moments of youth. Fort Goode: The Goode Life is a timeless journey of friendship, resilience, and the enduring power of a shared adventure.

The Tanker Tots--Caliber, Sabot, and Heat--and their Mechanics are the world's greatest tank team. But they don't get along very well.

The tanks are mean and rude to the Mechanics because they don't fight in battles. But when Caliber breaks down on the battlefield, only the Mechanics can save him.

Tanker Tots is a heartwarming story of teammates who overcome differences and learn to work together and appreciate each other for the greater good.

What do you get when you have an officer, a spreadsheet, and the Good Idea Fairy in one story? The results just might be nuclear.

Officers, bosses, and anyone in charge of a project sometimes get influenced by the 'good idea fairy'. This fairy gives them 'ideas' that turn simple tasks such as giving color to a spreadsheet into inflated epics like organizing finance meetings, preparing briefings and working with scientists from Research and Development. Come along for the humorous tale of an enlisted ferret with the herculean effort of providing a spreadsheet for an officer afflicted by the good idea fairy.

If You Give An Officer a Spreadsheet is the perfect story time addition for any military or civilian family with its tongue in cheek look at military operations and its teachable moments of perseverance in the face of adversity.

ALL THE PUBLISHER'S PROFITS WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITIES HELPING TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF UKRAINE.

I wrote this book about different children from different Ukrainian families in 2017, when Russia had conquered Crimea and temporarily occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. I write these forewords in the bathroom of my Kiev home in the roar of a Russian assailant's fire. I can imagine that one of Maya's classmates is now praying in a bomb shelter, another is writing a letter to his imprisoned father in Russia, and a third has already lost a loved one. It is less likely that one of the boys or girls will start their life in Helsinki. War is always catastrophic for children. I want to shout that the children of my country need international protection. The world needs to understand this. --Larysa Denysenko, February 2022

Since the occupation of Crimea in 2014, Ukrainian families with children have had to live their daily lives in the shadow of the threat of war. Maya and Her Friends tells the story of ordinary Ukrainian children and their families.

Nine-year-old Maja has 16 classmates, all with different home backgrounds. Sofia's father has disappeared in the battles against Russia. When the war ends, he will hopefully be found. Aksana lives with her father because her mother is dead. Hristina lives with her grandmother because her parents are working abroad. Rais is a Crimean Tatar whose family had to leave his homeland due to the Russian occupation. Timko's parents are divorced, and he lives alternately with his mother and father. Petro is a Roma and has a huge family clan. Maja herself, on the other hand, has two mothers.

Soldier Mom is a story about a female service-member. She has many jobs, responsibilities, and hearts in her hands. The story showcases love of country, service, and family that all service-members understand, but from a mommy perspective. I enjoyed writing this 'love' story and it is near and dear to my heart.

Every child of a parent serving in the United States military has seen the big white bus that takes their mom or dad away for duty. It can mean the tears and sadness of a departure or the joy of a return and reunion, but either way seeing it has a huge emotional impact on the child's life.

This beautifully illustrated children's book shares the feelings, memories, and experiences that military children go through whenever they see that big white bus. Sometimes they are too little to understand the whys of it. Where does it go? For how long? Will there ever come a day when they can be just like dad or mom and ride the special bus to that mysterious work place where they go? One day those children may make a choice to proudly get on that bus themselves. Will a parent ever be ready to hear it?

Every child of a parent serving in the United States military has seen the big white bus that takes their mom or dad away for duty. It can mean the tears and sadness of a departure or the joy of a return and reunion, but either way seeing it has a huge emotional impact on the child's life.

This beautifully illustrated children's book shares the feelings, memories, and experiences that military children go through whenever they see that big white bus. Sometimes they are too little to understand the whys of it. Where does it go? For how long? Will there ever come a day when they can be just like dad or mom and ride the special bus to that mysterious work place where they go? One day those children may make a choice to proudly get on that bus themselves. Will a parent ever be ready to hear it?