Young Artem lives in Ukraine and, when war breaks out, his father stays to fight for freedom while Artem and his mother take the train to safety in neighboring Poland. Sad and confused, Artem worries about his father and his own future. But warm meals served by Paolo, a volunteer with World Central Kitchen, and the kindness of Paolo and others give him strength and hope.

In an interconnecting storyline, Hannah, a girl in the United States, worries about the plight of Ukrainian children and finds a way to dispel her own feelings of helplessness and take action.

A Note About the Artwork From the Book’s Author

Yana Holubiatnikova’s beautiful and haunting artwork illuminates A Very Good Feeling. Her talent as an artist is magnified by the fact that she is living the truth depicted in her illustrations.

Yana lives in Kherson, Ukraine, a war zone she will not leave. During the Russian occupation of her home town, she had to forage for food for her son and her pets while never missing a day of painting in her studio.

To me, she exemplifies the spirit and resilience of her fellow Ukrainians who persevere in the face of daily hardship and deprivation.