The Story of Ukraine: An Anthem of Glory and Freedom

by Olena Kharchenko, Michael Sampson, Polina Doroshenko (Illustrator)

Overview

Ukraine is rich with history and resources, culture and people, but most of all, in spirit!
There is a lot to learn about Ukraine, and one of the best places to start is their national anthem. The lyrics of this once-forbidden song carry deep meaning for many Ukrainians, and are full of passion, strength, and determination, inspiring them to keep their country protected and free. The Story of Ukraine walks readers through each culturally-significant line, providing details of Ukraine's land and life. Presented in English and Ukrainian, this book by Olena Kharchenko and Michael Sampson, and illustrated by Polina Doroshenko, gives readers of all ages the opportunity to learn more about this mighty and proud nation in Europe. Glory to Ukraine!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612546087
Publisher:	Brown Books Publishing Group
Publication date:	12/13/2022
Pages:	36
Sales rank:	102,379
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD910L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Olena Kharchenko is from Dnipro, Ukraine. She is a graduate of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University. She lives in the USA with her husband and daughter. She is actively volunteering in different projects trying to help Ukraine to resist Russian aggression since 2014. Olena hopes that this book will help people around the world to learn more about her motherland.

Michael Sampson, a Fulbright Scholar to Ukraine, is a New York Times best-selling author of more than forty books for children. His books include Armadillo Antics, Ten Little Squirrels, and Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3.

Polina Doroshenko is a Ukrainian artist and illustrator living and working in Kyiv. She graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Kyiv, and currently teaches at the Department of Graphic Arts of NAOMA. Polina's illustrations were awarded the White Ravens Award, and were among the finalists of the Bologna Children's Book Fair (2022). Polina has a four-year-old daughter who is an inspiration in her art.

Editorial Reviews

10/31/2022

A fervent celebration of Ukraine, Kharchenko and Sampson’s dual-language picture book offers a heartfelt introduction to the “multi-ethnic, multi-language and multicultural country” through the lens of its national anthem. Opening spreads describe the “more than forty million sincere and talented citizens who love their country and will defend it at any cost” before introducing an illustrated explication of the national anthem, an abbreviated version adopted in 2003. Sometimes stilted, frequently reiterative text details the resource-rich country’s reaction to invasions over time (“Ukrainians will do anything to protect Ukraine and will pay any price to keep her free”), notable individuals and traditions, and national symbols, including its flag: “Blue is the bright, peaceful, cloudless Ukrainian sky. Yellow is the symbol of its golden wheat fields.” These hues also prove a unifying thread through Doroshenko’s layered, folklore-style artwork, which depicts scenes of favorite foods and native plants being enjoyed by people portrayed with varying skin tones, and provides a lively counterpoint to the book’s more somber themes (per the anthem: “Our enemies will die like dew in the sun”). Ending lines emphasize the country’s hope for peace, concluding with a national salute: “Glory to Ukraine!” Ages 4–8. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

"A fervent celebration of Ukraine, Kharchenko and Sampson’s dual-language picture book offers a heartfelt introduction to the 'multi-ethnic, multi-language and multicultural country' through the lens of its national anthem... 'Blue is the bright, peaceful, cloudless Ukrainian sky. Yellow is the symbol of its golden wheat fields.' These hues also prove a unifying thread through Doroshenko’s layered, folklore-style artwork."—Publishers Weekly


The Story of Ukraine: An Anthem of Glory and Freedom is written with clarity and meaning. It’s filled with a plethora of bright, vibrant illustrations that illuminate the unrelenting positivity, hope, and courage for which so many Ukrainians have come to be known... Young children will learn that the impassioned endurance of the Ukrainian people dates back centuries. Admirably, they’ve been emboldened by their challenges, and youth and adults alike will find this noteworthy contribution an awe-inspiring narrative."—San Francisco Book Review

“Kids have certainly heard about Ukraine and the war raging there. Here’s a book that will help them understand the people of that country. The Story of Ukraine: An Anthem of Glory and Freedom walks readers through each line of the Ukraine national anthem while providing details of land and life in the country. Presented in English and Ukrainian, this book gives readers of all ages the opportunity to put a context around the news they hear… it is an example of how crisis in the world impacts us here at home.” —Seattle’s Child Magazine


"National patterns, music, literature and symbols of Ukraine have always indicated the importance of freedom, identity, traditions and the struggle for independence. This book is the core of Ukrainianness — feel it with your heart." —Larysa Denysenko, UN Goodwill Ambassador for Tolerance in Ukraine, Human Rights Lawyer, and Author of Maya and Her Friends


“Packed with insight into what makes Ukraine unique and vital. A story beautifully told!”—Jeff Kinney, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid series


“A gorgeous, vibrantly illustrated introduction to the Ukraine … I cannot recommend this wonderful book enough.” —Junot Díaz, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author of Islandborn


“A very big world gets much smaller in the hands of Olena Kharchenko and Michael Sampson in this bold and creative book.” —Peter H. Reynolds, New York Times Bestselling Creator of The Dot The Word Collector

“This lushly illustrated, fact-packed look at Ukraine — complete with Ukrainian text on the facing pages — is a poignant celebration of a nation currently fighting for its survival.”—Washington Independent Review of Books

★ “Collagelike illustrations centered around the colors of the Ukrainian flag—blue and yellow—depict the history and enduring resilience of the nation of Ukraine in a digestible, kid-friendly format. Presented in both English and Ukrainian, the text urges children to sing along to Ukraine’s national anthem as they learn facts about the nation—the national flower, the meaning behind the flag, common cultural foods—and grow to understand and respect a vibrant country and its determined people.”—Foreword Reviews

“Bold look at the Ukrainian nation and anthem… it’s a wonderful nod to the culture.”—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

10/28/2022

Gr 2–4—The Ukraine invasion is top of mind for many people; for others, this is the first time they've thought much about the country and they want to know more. This bold look at the Ukrainian nation and anthem assists that mission. It begins with pages outlining a brief history of Ukraine, then transitions to the lyrics of the national anthem, complete with annotations. Parts of the text are set in the vivid yellow and blue of the flag, and Doroshenko's brazen illustrations echo the color scheme. It's a bright deluge, made even more frenetic with the addition of Ukrainian versions of the text on every page. It's a wonderful nod to the culture the book is trying to share, but one that is impenetrable to anyone who doesn't understand Cyrillic alphabet. It also adds to the visual cacophony on the page. It's a unique style of storytelling and art that readers will either love or hate. VERDICT Useful for classrooms teaching close reading or history, or for introducing children with Ukrainian heritage to their roots.—Cat McCarrey

School Library Journal