What the Reviewers Said

“[The book] teaches young readers the impacts of war, how to stay brave in the face of new beginnings, and how even the smallest acts of kindness can change the world…will leave readers uplifted and impassioned for change”

BookLife Reviews, 2025

“Original, unique, memorable, emotionally engaging, Freedom Pancakes for Ukraine is a compelling, inspiring, and unreservedly recommended.”

Midwest Book Review/Reviewer’s Choice, 2025

“A beautifully illustrated picture book for kids with global awareness!”

Skipping Stones Magazine, 2025

“Cohn’s story explores community and empathy…heartwarming and gentle… A sentimental and affecting story about a connection between children of different cultures”

Kirkus Reviews, 2025

“…overwhelming praise goes to Yana Holubiatnikova, a talented Ukrainian artist, because her realistic, colorful illustrations painted the story and made me feel the emotions experienced by the characters. I highly recommend this brilliant, invaluable book to children and adults alike.

Five Star Review, Readers’ Favorites, 2025

“Accessible, necessary, and powerful…
Cohn’s latest is a moving, timely picture book… Cohn, a psychotherapist, writes with deep empathy…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.

The Prairies Book Review, 2025

Freedom Pancakes for Ukraine, authored by Dr. Janice Cohn and drawn by Yana Holubiatnikova, is a moving and deeply informative children's book that highlights how young people can make a significant impact in the lives of those facing injustice and hardships in the society and beyond…

It features colorful and breathtaking graphics created by [the] illustrator who [lives in Ukraine]. She has skillfully water-colored them in vivid hues inspired by the Ukrainian flag.

Quill says: This is the ideal children's book… that will motivate your child to be helpful, resilient, kind, compassionate and loving. Notably, it effectively talks to both youngsters and adults which means that its lessons are ageless.

Feathered Quill Book Reviews, 2025

“This is a book that inspires understanding and empathy—something the world desperately needs right now."

Dr. Irwin Redlener, co-founder of The Ukraine Children’s Action Project (UCAP)