Freedom Pancakes for Ukraine

Young Artem lives in Ukraine and, when war breaks out, his father stays to fight for freedom while Artem and his mother take the train to safety in neighboring Poland. Sad and confused, Artem worries about his father and his own future. But warm meals served by Paolo, a volunteer with World Central Kitchen, and the kindness of Paolo and others give him strength and hope.

In an interconnecting storyline, Hannah, a girl in the United States, worries about the plight of Ukrainian children and finds a way to counter her own feelings of helplessness and take action.

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.

A Note About the Artwork From the Book’s Author

Yana Holubiatnikova’s beautiful and haunting artwork illuminates Freedom Pancakes for Ukraine. Her talent as an artist is magnified by the fact that she is living the truth depicted in her illustrations.

Yana lives in Kherson, Ukraine, a war zone she will not leave. During the Russian occupation of her home town, she had to forage for food for her son and her pets while never missing a day of painting in her studio.

To me, she exemplifies the spirit and resilience of her fellow Ukrainians who persevere in the face of daily hardship and deprivation.

Ukraine Children’s Action Project

A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the Ukraine Children’s Action Project (UCAP), which is responding to the urgent educational and psychological needs of the children of Ukraine. The co-founders, Irwin and Karen Redlener, have been supportive of Freedom Pancakes for Ukraine since its inception and made it possible, with the help of UCAP’s Yuliia Kardash, for the author to find the perfect illustrator.