15 Best Children’s Literature 2024: BaraBooka version

BaraBooka, a leading platform for Ukrainian children’s literature, published its annual list of the best children’s books for 2024. A total of 14 publications were selected as the best books of the year, and another book won the Readers’ Choice award.

Illustrated Book of the Year:

“These are not fairy tales!” by Grasya Oliyko, A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA

This collection of funny stories written and illustrated by artist and writer Grasya Oliyko plays on familiar everyday situations and childhood capriciousness, turning these into exciting adventures. Sprightly children become fairy tale characters, travelers through the fairy tale world, and explorers of the fascinating and unusual. In these journeys, forest animals, plants, or even their favorite possessions come to the heroes’ aid, and each adventure ends happily ever after. The author delicately weaves important themes into each cheerful adventure story — mutual assistance and support, kindly treatment of stray animals, care, and acceptance. A bright palette of illustrations enhances positive emotions in the text and creates a three-dimensional, holistic, and interesting world. 

Illustrated Book of the Year:

“Josephine the Nut. Squirrel Detective” by Kateryna Lazirko, illustrated by Alyona Potyomkina, the Black Sheep publishing house

In this book, Kateryna Lazirko refers to the traditions of detective stories. Her protagonist, Josephine Nut, a squirrel, has recognizable features and attributes: funny, but also serious and very smart. She loves sweet nuts with condensed milk, and when she goes on a case, she always puts on a detective hat and dark glasses. There are five cases in this book: a sticky and delicious case about a missing cake, a fragrant one about picked flowers, a colorful one about a pink monster, and so on. It is noteworthy that the “crimes” described in this book are not the result of evil intent, but of unfortunate misunderstandings, and detective Josephine, investigating the cases, finds not only the culprits but also solutions that resolve these misunderstandings. In the end, everyone is happy. So, in the form of a detective story, Kateryna Lazirko shows young readers ways to resolve conflicts in ways that do not result in enmity but rather in mutually pleasant outcomes. 

Poetry Book of the Year:

“Now That Is The Summer” by Halyna Kyrpa, illustrated by Nataliia Oliynyk, the Old Lion Publishing House

The poetry collection by writer and translator Halyna Kyrpa is dedicated to summer and is filled with cheerful vitality. It embodies what summer means for children — not just any old season, but a time of freedom, joy, and adventure. The collection includes 30 poems that are full of vivid images, and a diverse collection of summer impressions and sights. Characters found in the stanzas strive to enjoy every minute of summer, and they draw attention to moments that mostly do not exist in the childhood of today’s kids. They could be watching birds, animals, and plants, “grazing butterflies,” listening to the music of the wind and the rain, or simply being amazed by the world of nature. The author’s optics and the images she creates encourage children to use their imagination. Nataliia Oliynyk’s illustrations — gentle, cozy, and dynamic at the same time — help to achieve this.

Fiction for younger school children:

“Mystery Carpathian Story” by Vasyl Karpiuk, illustrated by Olesya Sekeresh, Brustury publishing

Karpiuk’s fascinating, cozy, and magical tale is a story of miracles and fairy tales set in the heart of the Carpathians. The tale has a set of main characters perfect for magic and adventure stories that appeal to younger readers: the caroler Andriychyk, who is the same age as his potential readers, Hutsulian sorcerer Kotseniek, the talkative animal Vedmedyuk the bear, and the magical dragon girl Vasylyna. The book consists of short, but intriguing chapters that are colored with Carpathian accents and Hutsul traditions all woven into the story, with wonderful humor. The book is illustrated with drawings by Olesya Sekeresh, who combined her bright vision with elements of the traditional art of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The “Mystery Carpathian Story” takes place during Christmas, making it a great choice for winter reading.

Fiction for younger school children:

“Diving into the Kyiv Sea” by Inna Danyliuk, illustrated by Albina Kolesnichenko, the Old Lion Publishing House

Holidays, the seaside, yachts, and adventures are the key elements of Inna Danyliuk’s adventure book “Diving into the Kyiv Sea,” but the story is not as simple as it might seem. Adventures are combined with elements of fantasy, and stories about real people, such as the first sailing trip around the world since Ukraine’s independence, written by yachtsman Valeriy Petushchak and his wife Nataliia Makedon, are combined with dramatic pages of history, such as the flooding of villages during the creation of the Kyiv Sea (the reservoir behind the Kyiv Hydroelectric Dam). Readers will learn about sailing and sea travels, read about how to overcome the wicked witch and their own fears, and help restore justice with the protagonist of the story. “Diving into the Kyiv Sea” is a story about loss and dreams, historical memory, environmental awareness, and the determination to pursue one’s goals. It also encompasses summer adventures, wizards, magical artifacts, and a belief in the power of what you do.

Fiction for younger school children:

“How to Earn During Holidays” by Olena Skulovatova, illustrated by Julia Marhishud, the Black Sheep publishing house

“How to Earn During Holidays” by Olena Skulovatova is a great resource for teenagers who aspire not just to receive, but to actually earn their own pocket money. The book offers valuable tips on the fundamentals of financial literacy, woven together with exciting adventures involving a group of friends. Two pals, Rusya and Nat, as well as Rusya’s family, are at the center of the story. Children play Monopoly, get caught up in a pyramid scheme, and try different ways to make money, including publishing a newspaper and babysitting the neighborhood children. Occasionally, they find themselves in various misadventures, but these experiences serve as opportunities to discuss important topics like investments, risks, and debt. In the end, perseverance and creativity push the children’s parents to make bold decisions that will help them solve their own financial problems. Special attention is paid to ethical issues related to doing business. The author considered it most important that these seemingly complex topics are addressed naturally and effortlessly, and they are seamlessly woven into tales from summer vacations and adventures. As a result, they don’t overwhelm the readers but instead energize and inspire them.

Educational Book of the Year:

“The History of Ukraine for the Youngest” by Myroslav Koshyk, Magura publishing

Myroslav Koshyk presents the history of Ukraine not as a dry school subject, but as a mixture of adventures, experiments, and detective stories, where most events subtly connect and influence one another. What happens in Ukraine often has an impact on other parts of the world, and vice versa. Koshyk focuses on aspects that can inspire, make children laugh or even shock them (“the Greeks didn’t wear pants!”), selects clear and familiar analogies, and draws parallels with the present. The narrative stretches from the Stone Age and Trypillians, through the lame boy who became Yaroslav the Wise and the unpopular Danylo who became King, to the moment when Ukraine created Russia and beyond, through two world wars and finally the Russian-Ukrainian war that continues to this day. The comic-style illustrations make the key figures of Ukrainian history seem closer to readers. They are not motionless bronze monuments, but characters of fascinating stories that children want to learn more about.

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Educational Book of the Year:

“Political Science for Children” by Eugenia Zavaliy, illustrated by Albina Kolesnichenko, Bohdan Books

Politics should not be avoided or feared, it should be understood. This is what professional political scientist and writer Eugenia Zavaliy sets out to do. Zavaliy, who has taken on the task of explaining in an accessible, clear, and precise way what politics is, how it works, and why it should be understood, has done an excellent job. In this book, the author guides readers through the governing system of Ukraine, discussing key processes that every citizen can influence. The book explains the origins of various phenomena, how one can become President, why voting is important, who makes decisions in the community, and how these decisions can be influenced. Special emphasis is placed on the values that form the foundation of any policy.

Educational Book of the Year:

“Your Book About Cinema” by Olha Birzul, illustrated by Katya Slonova, the Old Lion Publishing House

This is a book for teenagers who want to know about the world of cinema and learn about everything that exists on the other side of the screen, and how it works. The book is structurally and thematically divided into several main parts. The first part tells the history of cinema, about its most important milestones and significant achievements of cinema, cult films, and outstanding directors. Birzul also explores the history of Ukrainian cinema and the contributions of Ukrainian mechanics, cameramen, animators, directors, and artists to the global development of cinema. The author also provides a detailed look at those who work behind the scenes — the people who create films. Birzul introduces various film professions and gives a voice to their representatives: feature and documentary film directors, producers, production designers, and others. “Your Book About Cinema” not only explains how the world of cinema was created and how it functions today but also brings it closer to the readers in a tangible way.

Family Reading:

“My Mother Is A Mountain” by Khrystia Venhryniuk, illustrated by Marta Koshulinska, Vivat

“My Mother Is A Mountain” is a therapeutic book that deals with a very difficult topic: the mental health of one’s closest adults. The protagonist of the book is going through a tough life situation. The boy’s mother has severe depression. Fear, anxiety, the sense of having to take responsibility for an adult, and the overwhelming weight of such a burden are explored in this book. It also discusses how adults sometimes feel tired, unwell, and vulnerable, but continue to act responsibly. The book is written with great sensitivity, respect, and love. Additionally, it touches on themes of single motherhood and the healing power of nature on mental health.

Family Reading:

“Laughingstock” by Svitlana Royz, illustrated by Maria Chaika, the Old Lion Publishing House

“The Laughingstock” is another therapeutic book by professional psychologist Svitlana Royz. The book deals with the search for inner strength, overcoming crises, and finding joy and inspiration after difficult experiences. The book’s protagonist, a girl named Dara, lost one of her defining features — her love of laughter — after being forced to move from her home and city. In her new residence, she meets Solomiya, an extraordinary woman who, through various games and exercises, helps her rediscover the joy of life and a sense of security. This is a workshop book, offering tasks that can be done together with young readers. Some tasks even have separate pages, where readers can, for example, draw their inner animal. This makes the book perfect not only for family reading but also for interactive study.

Teenagers’ Book of the Year:

“Absolute Zero” by Olha Savytska, illustrated by Iryna Husiuk, Teza publisher

This novella by Olha Savytska presents a story about how a vulnerable child who was forced to leave his home because of the Russian invasion feels in a new group, and what this group can do (or not do) to accept him. The protagonist of the novella is unhappy because his new classmates are indifferent or even hostile to him. He finds a fantastic way to escape the bullying and stereotyping imposed by his peers, stepping into another dimension where he will finally feel at home — somewhere where there is a home and no war. This is a heartbreaking story about loneliness and dissimilitude, about the harm of prejudices that adults sometimes transmit, and about the sincerity and friendship that can overcome these prejudices.

Fantasy Book of the Year:

“Children of the Fiery Time” by Mia Marchenko and Kateryna Pekur, Readberry

This story begins at the outbreak of the full-scale invasion. While the defense of Kyiv continues, several children disappear from the train station. Among them is a teenager named Katya from Gostomel. Someone dangerous drags her into a gap between worlds just as she and her grandmother want to evacuate the city. Gradually, we find out that the Kyiv passenger railway station and its surroundings exist in both real and mythological dimensions, and this intersecting area is called Zavokzalya.

The station in particular and the railway in general are parts of our space that are emphasized by the war and became especially important in the “time of fire.” After all, war is largely about paths, offensives, defense, and evacuation. War is about geography, and maps that change every day that we closely follow. It is about roads and ways to save lives.

The characters of the novel — the mythological creatures of Zavokzalya — belong to different nations and cultures (they are not only Ukrainians, but also representatives of German, Roma, Polish, Jewish, and other ethnicities). The most important thing about the m is that first, they are united in taking care of this land, and second, they have an agreement they strictly adhere to.

Debut of the Year:

“Dyvokrovtsi” by Kateryna Kornienko, the Old Lion Publishing House

“Dyvokrovtsi” is a perfect novel for those who love urban fantasy and feel a touch of nostalgia for their school years. The book offers several other bonuses: Ukrainian mythology serves as the foundation of the story’s fantasy world, modern Kyiv serves as the setting, quotes from Zhadan and the Dogs (Zhadan i Sobaky) appear as Easter eggs, and the tale abounds with witty humor, bright characters, and a mystery that readers will need to solve alongside the protagonist.

The story’s hero has the strange name of Kohannyachko (Lovey). The girl feels weird, even uncomfortable, first in her small family, which has suddenly been joined by her stepmother; second in her body, which is changing, but not in the way she would like; and third in the newly discovered reality in which, as it turns out, different people live alongside ordinary people. She turns out to be one of them. Finding “one’s own” and one’s place in the world is always a relevant topic for teen and young adult literature, and here it is discussed in a new way. Kateryna Kornienko blends the protagonist’s personal journey with an adventure and fantasy tale that features the search for missing magical artifacts and their thieves. This mixture of internal and external transformations, the uncovering of new (even shocking!) truths, danger, adventure, and a touch of romance make the story captivating and easy to read.

Readers’ Choice:

“My Therapy Sessions” by Kateryna Holzberg, Vivat

“My Therapy Sessions” is a book by Kateryna Holzberg, a professional psychologist. It is another (and extremely important!) step on the path to destigmatizing the topic of mental health, which is still disparaged by Ukrainian society. It is addressed to adolescents and tells them in the most balanced, gentle, and calm way possible about who should consult a psychologist, when, and how. It addresses the question of what criteria should be used to choose one, how to prepare for appointments, and what to expect from communication with the psychologist. What are the “red flags” to watch out for, and what signals do you want to see that indicate that this is “your” professional? The book discusses everything that those who want to take responsible care of their mental health (really meaning everyone, in general) should know. The fact that this book won the reader’s vote eloquently demonstrates that there is a demand for such a conversation in Ukrainian society, and Kateryna Holzberg has responded to it in a subtle and appropriate way.

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BaraBooka is a Ukrainian project dedicated to promoting children’s reading and literature. Launched in 2014 as a website about children’s books, it has since evolved into a   professional community uniting scholars, teachers, and librarians. The platform highlights emerging authors, showcases outstanding publications, and provides expert analysis of contemporary literature for young readers. In recognition of its impact, BaraBooka was named the 2024 winner of the Chytomo Award in the Book Promotion category.

Translation: Iryna Saviuk

Copy editing: Ben Angel