Five Ukrainian books for the holiday season in English and French translations

Winter is made for stories, for the quiet moments when light fades early and imagination takes place. Children’s books hold a special kind of warmth: they invite us to slow down, to share wonder, and to see the world through new eyes.

The five Ukrainian titles gathered here do just that. They speak of friendship, courage, and small joys that outshine the dark season. Each is beautifully crafted, full of life and curiosity, and makes an unforgettable gift – a story to be read, shared, and remembered.

“Je veux hiberner (pour faire comme l’ours)” / “I Want to Hibernate (Like the Bear)” by Oksana Bula

translated from Ukrainian into French by Iryna Dmytrychyn

Alice Éditions, 2020

Oksana Bula’s “I Want to Hibernate (Like the Bear)” is a tender, quietly humorous picture book about friendship, curiosity, and the rhythm of nature. In it, a bear explains to a bison that every winter, the Tukoni – gentle forest spirits – guide him to his den, where he sleeps until spring. Tired of wandering through the cold, the bison wishes he could do the same. But when the bear begins to wonder what he’s missing during his long sleep, the story turns unexpectedly: what if he stayed awake to enjoy the snow this time?

Through its soft illustrations and simple words, the book captures the magic of winter and the small, wise emotions that come with change – longing, rest, and discovery. It’s part of Bula’s beloved Tukoni universe, where animals and forest spirits live in quiet harmony. Perfect for winter evenings, “Je veux hiberner” invites children (and adults) to slow down and dream, reminding us that every season has its own beauty, whether we’re asleep or awake.

This book is widely translated around the world: it’s also available in Czech, Chinese, Malay, Vietnamese, Korean, Greek, German, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, and Polish.

“Little Hare Finds a Gift” / “Le cadeau venu du ciel” by Oleksandr Shatokhin

Red Comet Press, 2024 / Dominique et compagnie, 2025

Translated from Ukrainian into French by Liliane Lord

Oleksandr Shatokhin’s “Little Hare Finds a Gift” begins with a soft thud on the roof – a mysterious package falling from the sky. Curious and kind-hearted, Little Hare sets off through the snow to find who lost it. The journey turns into an adventure through the winter forest, filled with small discoveries, friendly encounters, and the quiet excitement of doing something good.

The story unfolds with wonder and humor, leading to an unexpected meeting with a familiar figure in red and white. Shatokhin’s gentle pastels bring warmth and movement to every page, capturing the stillness and sparkle of winter. This story is about generosity, curiosity, and the joy of giving. “Little Hare Finds a Gift” is a timeless book: tender, hopeful, and perfect for reading together on a snowy evening.

“A Ukrainian Christmas” by Yaroslav Hrytsak with Nadiyka Gerbish

Little, Brown Book Group, 2023

“A Ukrainian Christmas” is more than a festive book. It is a journey through centuries of tradition, memory, and meaning. Historian Yaroslav Hrytsak and writer Nadiyka Gerbish weave together stories, customs, songs, and recipes to show how Christmas has always been at the heart of Ukrainian life. The book explores how faith, family, and hope have endured through years of hardship through gentle storytelling and luminous illustrations.

Readers discover what makes Ukrainian Christmas unique: the twelve symbolic dishes, carols that fill villages with light, the straw under the tablecloth, and the unbroken chain of rituals passed down through generations.

Beautifully designed and deeply heartfelt, “A Ukrainian Christmas” invites readers to see the holiday as a living connection between the past and the present, between those who left and those who remain, between home and the wider world.

RELATED: Ukrainian picture book was featured in NYT List of the Best Children’s Books 2023

“Who Will Make the Snow?” by Taras Prokhasko and Marjana Prokhasko

Elsewhere Editions, 2023

illustrated by Marjana Prokhasko

translated from Ukrainian into English by Boris Dralyuk and Jennifer Croft

In “Who Will Make the Snow?”, twin moles Purr and Craw are born on the first day of spring. Two small creatures are discovering a vast and mysterious world. Every question they ask opens another window: why does their mother hum in French while making pancakes? What does their father type so patiently in his notebook? And, most of all, who makes the snow?

This quiet, tender story unfolds in short, luminous episodes about growing up, curiosity, and love. The world of the forest is both familiar and strange, full of music, smells, and gentle surprises. The moles learn that life can be confusing, sometimes even frightening, and endlessly full of wonder.

This book is a modern classic of children’s literature. It was written by Taras and Marjana Prokhasko, two of Ukraine’s most acclaimed literary voices, and illustrated with soft, detailed watercolors. Both playful and philosophical, it speaks to readers of all ages about the courage to explore and the comfort of returning home. Named one of The New York Times’ Best Children’s Books of 2023, “Who Will Make the Snow?” is a story to read slowly, look closely, and keep for years.

“Tout le monde se parle!” by Romana Romanyshyn & Andriy Lesiv

Rue du Monde, 2025

Translated from Ukrainian into French by Laurana Serres-Giardi

Tout le monde se parle ! is a vibrant illustrated journey through the many ways living beings communicate, from the first human symbols carved in stone to the invisible messages exchanged between trees, animals, and even cells. Ukrainian artists and authors Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv, known for their award-winning nonfiction books for children, invite readers to look closely at how information, emotion, and meaning travel through the world.

This playful encyclopedia moves easily between science and art. It explains Morse code, braille, sign language, and the subtle gestures, colors, and movements that carry messages without words. Every page is an exploration of connection: how we talk, listen, and understand not only one another but also the natural world around us.

Beautifully designed and filled with color and detail, “Tout le monde se parle !” encourages children and adults alike to rediscover communication as something creative and alive. It’s a book about empathy, curiosity, and the quiet miracle of being understood—sometimes with words, sometimes with just half a word.

RELATED: 15 Best Children’s Literature 2024: BaraBooka version

The publication is a part of the “Chytomo Picks” project. The materials have been prepared with the assistance of the Ukrainian Book Institute at the expense of the state budget. The author’s opinion may not coincide with the official position of the Ukrainian Book Institute.

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn