Dr Janice Cohn

When war breaks out in Ukraine, a young boy named Artem is sent away to Poland with his mother, while his father stays behind to fight in the army. Artem is scared and struggles to understand. He doesn’t want to leave his country or his father. Arriving in Poland, Artem and his mother are driven by volunteers to a Welcoming Center. At the centre, Artem and his mother meet a chef named Paulo working in the World Central Kitchen. A week later, they find a place to stay with a Polish family, but Artem will never forget the kindness shown by Paolo and the other volunteers.

Meanwhile, a girl in America named Hannah wanted to help the war effort in Ukraine, but didn’t know how. She decides to raise money for the World Central Kitchen to help feed Ukrainian children. She makes potato pancakes, a Ukrainian treat and wraps them with yellow and blue ribbons, the official colors of Ukraine. She sells the ‘freedom pancakes’ in her neighbourhood and sends all the money straight to the World Central Kitchen.

Freedom Pancakes for Ukraine is a powerful and heartfelt book by author Dr Janice Cohn, about the impact of war on Ukrainian children. The book connects the stories of a young boy from Ukraine who is forced to flee to Poland with his mother when the war breaks out, with the story of a young American girl who raises money to help feed Ukrainian children. Based on real-life experiences of Paulo and Hannah, Artem and his mother are composite characters. Cohn gently introduces young readers to the realities of war with empathy and compassion, and encourages others to support children in need across the world.

The stunning illustrations by Ukrainian Yana Holubiatnikova, with hues of yellow and blue, capture the sombre mood of fear and displacement. They elevate this story into something unforgettable.

Star rating: 5 Stars 

Summary: A timely and age appropriate exploration of the war in Ukraine, told from the perspective of children.