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A USBBY Outstanding International Book 2024

“Responding to the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian artist Shatokhin’s wordless narrative offers a child’s-eye view of military conflict . . . There is much for readers to interpret through conversations and multiple readings in these artfully designed pages, . . . Shatokhin employs color, scale, perspective, and pattern to great effect in timely—and timeless—scenes that capture the protagonist’s fear, fury, frustration, and ultimately hope. Exquisite compositions depict a yellow swarm of butterflies becoming the child’s wings, lifting them to see a blue sky amid the destruction (yellow and blue being the colors of the Ukrainian flag) . . . Provocative, powerful, breathtakingly beautiful.”

– Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Yellow Butterfly: A Story from Ukraine

Written by
Illustrated by Oleksandr Shatokhin
Published by Red Comet Press

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.

Primary ISBN: 9781636550640
Publication Date: January 2023
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , ,

Setting: Ukraine

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Home Country

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Engagement Materials:

Resource & Discussion Guide

Source: Red Comet Press