{"id":52115,"date":"2026-01-30T18:01:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T16:01:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uanimals.org\/?p=52115"},"modified":"2026-02-03T14:42:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T12:42:18","slug":"uanimals-announces-the-most-humane-children-s-books-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uanimals.org\/en\/news\/uanimals-announces-the-most-humane-children-s-books-of-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"UAnimals announced the most humane children’s books of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

On January 30, the ceremony of the <\/span>All-Ukrainian Children\u2019s Literature Award \u201cHumane Book\u201d<\/b><\/a><\/span> will begin. Established by UAnimals, the award honors authors, illustrators, and publishing houses whose books foster a caring attitude toward nature in children. For us, this is not only an important ceremonial event, but also a tool for combating indifference and cruelty \u2014 one that helps build a more humane future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through books, we speak with children about empathy, responsibility, and respect for life. About the fact that cruelty does not emerge out of nowhere, and humanity does not develop on its own. That is why the Humane Book Award is part of our systematic work, not merely a literary distinction.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Humane Book Award 2025 Ceremony<\/b><\/h2>\n

The ceremony took place at Kooperativ, which kindly provided the venue for the evening. We sincerely thank them for their support and the opportunity to gather for such an important occasion.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ceremony will be hosted by Lana Chubakha \u2014 stand-up comedian, volunteer, and combat medic. She will announce the winners and guide us through an evening that promises to be warm and inspiring.<\/span><\/p>\n

Winners of the Humane Book Award 2025<\/b><\/h3>\n

This year, the award was presented to three books that teach children empathy, care, and responsibility:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2b50\ufe0f <\/span>\u201cSnow Ice Cream\u201d<\/b><\/span>. Author by Kateryna Lazirko, illustrated by Iryna Potapenko. Publisher: Chas Maistriv Publishing House.
\n<\/span>This book captivated the children in five families on the jury. They loved the characters, initiated discussions, and looked at the illustrations again and again. In its pages, the author reveals the problem of global warming through the story of a little zebra and suggests small steps to prevent it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nPhoto: Andrii Yushchak<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2b50\ufe0f <\/span>\u201cMy Bullfinch Friend\u201d<\/b><\/span>. Author by Nadiika Herbish, illustrated by Anna Surhan. Publisher: The Old Lion Publishing House.
\n<\/span>This is a story about a girl who takes care of birds during winter. It was especially relevant this winter, when, after attacks on Ukraine\u2019s energy infrastructure, people found the strength to care not only for one another, but also for stray animals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nPhoto: Andrii Yushchak<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2b50\ufe0f<\/span> \u201cA Lion Doesn\u2019t Smile in the Circus\u201d<\/b><\/span>. Author by Hanna Bulhakova, illustrated by Karina Shuba. Publisher: Ranok Publishing House.
\n<\/span>The book explains why animals do not belong in circuses. It received the highest score from the family of publisher, philologist, and blogger Yuliia Slyvka, who has been a member of the jury for the third consecutive year.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nPhoto: Andrii Yushchak<\/em><\/p>\n

A special award was also presented \u2014 sadly, a posthumous one. It was awarded to \u201cDaddy\u2019s Book\u201d by Volodymyr Vakulenko, a collection of children\u2019s poems by the writer who was abducted and killed by occupying forces in the Kharkiv region. Bright, at times humorous, and filled with love for children, Volodymyr\u2019s poems continue to live on, nurturing kindness and light in young hearts. The award was presented to his former wife, Iryna Novitska.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nPhoto: Andrii Yushchak<\/em><\/p>\n

During the ceremony, the song \u201cNovember Lullaby\u201d, based on a poem by Volodymyr Vakulenko, was performed by musician Vitalia Hrytsak. The band Tember Blanche also performed on stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who Judged the Books?<\/b><\/h2>\n

This year, 338 books were nominated for the award, with seven titles shortlisted. They were evaluated by eight families: parents read the books together with their children, analyzed them, discussed them, and assigned scores. Thus, for the first time since the award was founded, the jury included not individual professionals, but entire families:<\/span><\/p>\n