The Friendship Train

Name: The Friendship Train
Price: 34.99 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9781547608027

A True Story of Helping and Healing after World War II

Debbie Levy, Boris Kulikov

$34.99

Hardback

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English

Bloomsbury Childrens Books
30 September 2025

History & the past: general interest (Children's&YA); Educational: History

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection | An ALA Notable Children's Book

An impeccably researched, touching true story of the kindness of strangers around the world following World War II from a bestselling author and award-winning illustrator.

On one side of the ocean, a war had ended, leaving many in Europe without enough food.

On the other side of the ocean, Americans asked, How can we help?

The need was too great for any one person to fill—but what could people do if they joined together?

The answer was the Friendship Train, which ran from the West Coast to the East collecting good food for hungry bellies. Americans of all ages gave what they could. Especially children! They donated their allowances, sold newspapers, collected food from neighbors, loaded packages onto trucks and boxcars—all for strangers across the sea.

And in return, those strangers asked themselves How can we say ""thank you""? Still recovering from the war, they didn't have a lot to give, but they found a way—their own train full of ways—to express their gratitude.

This heartwarming nonfiction picture book from Debbie Levy and Boris Kulikov shows how small acts of kindness can grow, healing lives and helping turn strangers into friends.

Check out The Friendship Train if you're looking for:

-A hopeful, age-appropriate introduction to the aftermath of the Second World War -A story about kindness, helping, and healing during an important moment in history -A true story steeped in primary source research -A book from an award-winning author and illustrator

An author's note gives additional context about the Friendship Train and the war, along with more detail into the author's impressive primary source research.

By: Debbie Levy
Illustrated by: Boris Kulikov
Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens Books
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 255mm, Width: 255mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 487g
ISBN: 9781547608027
ISBN 10: 1547608021
Pages: 48
Publication Date: 30 September 2025
Recommended Age: From 5 to 8 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Debbie Levy is the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including I Dissent; This Promise of Change; The Year of Goodbyes: A True Story of Friendship, Family, and Farewells; and Imperfect Spiral. She lives in the Chesapeake Bay area. debbielevybooks.com Boris Kulikov graduated from The Institute of Theatre, Music And Cinema in St. Petersburg, Russia. Since 1997 he lives and works as an illustrator in Brooklyn, NY. Books he has illustrated include Papa's Mechanical Fish, Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille, Barnum's Bones, and W is for Webster. boriskulikov.com

Reviews for The Friendship Train: A True Story of Helping and Healing after World War II

A potently meaningful look at how, in that moment at least, the question “Would Americans care for strangers as they would care for friends?” was answered with a resounding yes. * Publishers Weekly, starred review * Educators and families will enjoy this story of hope and persistence; in a time of political peril, the book will more than inspire children to act. This is a first purchase for any library’s nonfiction collection * School Library Journal, starred review * An uplifting, warm reminder about international generosity and solidarity—a welcome and important message in our current international climate. * Booklist, starred review * An inspiring and insightful testament to the power of cooperation. * Kirkus Reviews * This is an inspiring story of national and international cooperation, showcasing the very best of humanity. * BCCB * Powerful storytelling of a not-so-distant past. * Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on THIS PROMISE OF CHANGE * [An] evocatively told, carefully researched memoir-in-verse. * School Library Journal, starred review, on THIS PROMISE OF CHANGE * [A] lively, inviting, and informative biography. * Booklist, starred review, on I DISSENT * Kulikov's mixed-media artwork mirrors and magnifies the text . . . [in this] engaging and moving account. * School Library Journal, starred review, on SIX DOTS *