Brave Volodymyr: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine by Grasya Oliyko, Linda Elovitz Marshall
Published by Quill Tree Books on 2023
ISBN: 0063294141
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

With a gentle sense of humor and large-eyed digital illustrations, Linda Elovitz Marshall and Grasya Oliyko simply and clearly intertwine the modern history of Ukraine with Volodymyr Zelensky’s life story.  The author does an excellent job of showing the influences on young Volodymyr’s life that shaped his world view. He was an only child in a Jewish family who spent his first thirteen years in a Ukraine under Soviet rule. Then, while a young man attending university to become a lawyer, he met his future wife and eventually decided to become an entertainer in order to make people laugh. His television show about an honest high school teacher who gets fed-up with the political corruption within his country, runs for president, and actually wins, was prophetic. The author explains that in 2019, Zelensky realized making people laugh wasn’t enough and ran for president in real life. As the Ukrainian President, he has not only refused to leave his country, but has led his people in an extended effort to repel the Russian invasion that began in Feb. 2022 and continues to this day (Aug. 9, 2024).

This colorful, positive book ends with an author’s note, timeline, and a brief bibliography.  It is recommended for 4-8 year-olds.  I think it would make an excellent introduction to both Zelensky and Ukrainian current events.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library