On December 14, authors, illustrators, and publishers of three books were recognized with the Humane Book award by UAnimals. This award celebrates books that explore the relationship between humans and animals while fostering compassion in children.
The winners were selected by a jury, with an additional book chosen by the UAnimals team itself.
In November, readers nominated 441 books for the award. From these, a shortlist was created, and the jury selected the three winners:
- Mukha and Naida by author and illustrator Valentyna Duvan, published by Kalamar.
- Yanholynka’s Christmas Hat by author and illustrator Grasia Oliiko, published by Old Lion Publishing House.
- The Magical Dragons of Gozo Island by author Inna Danyliuk and illustrators Anna Vilchynska, published by Black Sheep Publishing.
The UAnimals team also gave special recognition to a fourth book, The Kids: Unbreakable Stories by Olena Skulovatova. While not all the stories in this book are about animals, it promotes universal values and instills compassion in readers between the lines.
The Jury:
- Oleksii Erinchak, founder of the Sens bookstore.
- Valentyna Khamaiko, TV host.
- Inna Miroshnychenko, mother of many, activist, and advocate.
- Artur Proidakov, Ukrainian language and literature teacher and one of the top 10 educators in the Global Teacher Prize 2023.
- Svitlana Roiz, child psychologist.
- Kateryna Nikishova, editor-in-chief of UAnimals Media and children’s literature researcher.
- Yulia Slyvka, philologist and blogger.
- Tetiana Honchenko, author of the Telegram book channel Unputdownable Bookworm.
“The book award has created a platform for spreading important messages, particularly kindness and love. Books teach us to accept one another, inspire us, and remind us that every human and every animal deserves love. Stories like these help us understand that compassion and acceptance are fundamental—not only in our treatment of animals but in how we relate to one another and the world as a whole,” commented activist and advocate Inna Miroshnychenko.
This is the second time the award has been presented. In 2023, three books received the Humane Book distinction:
- A Dress for Marusya by author and illustrator Grasia Oliiko, published by A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA.
- Mission Rescue: Dolphins by author Yevheniya Zavalii and illustrator Mariia Shevchenko, published by Old Lion Publishing House.
- Yarchyk and 9 Dogs by author Anastasia Melnychenko and illustrator Sofiia Tomilenko, published by Yakaboo Publishing.
This year’s winner, Valentyna Duvan, shared: “In the past, I often felt alone in my work with stray animals. The problem seemed overwhelming, and I was just one person. But UAnimals has brought together like-minded people. There are many of us, and together, we can achieve so much more.”
Let’s nurture compassion for animals in children—it’s a step toward a mature and civilized society!
