Oksana Drachkovska – illustratör

Bedtime is about to get a lot more interesting.365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed is a joyful collection bursting with wild facts, weird wonders and unbelievable-but-true stories – one for every night of the year. You’ll learn things like…Where does it rain diamonds?What does a comet smell like?Why would you keep a dog up your sleeve?Where can you find fish that live in trees?And who exactly was William Johnson Hippopotamus?From frog trousers and glass trees to lawnmowing camels and chimpanzee painters, this is a book made for curious minds and giggly bedtimes. Each bite-sized story is perfect for winding down, sparking questions and filling young heads with big, brilliant thoughts. Written by former QI writer Edward Brooke-Hitching and brought to life with whimsical illustrations by Oksana Drachkovska, this is non-fiction at its most playful and surprising. Whether read aloud or under the covers with a torch, it’s the kind of book kids will return to night after night. A brilliant gift for curious minds, and a treasure trove of facts to enjoy together or alone, 365 Amazing True Things to Read in Bed will fill your dreams with adventure – and leave you ready to wake up and make your own.

With simple, direct questions, thoughtful, compassionate answers and stunning illustrations by the Ukrainian artist Oksana Drachkovska, this book explores what it really means to be a refugee. Written with advice from the Refugee Council and drawing on conversations with refugees and aid workers from around the world, the questions cover all stages of a refugee's journey, from fleeing danger and embarking on hazardous journeys, to seeking asylum and struggling to find a new place to call home. The language and scenes have been carefully considered to be appropriate for younger children, providing an extremely useful educational tool for families and schools.

In WWII, the Nazis forced nearly 450,000 Polish Jews into the Warsaw Ghetto. By the end of the war, most had been killed. How did their stories survive?On September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland setting off WWII. The following year Nazis forced Polish Jews into a crowded ghetto in the capital city of Warsaw. By the end of the war, most of those imprisoned were dead, either in concentration camps or in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.But miraculously, their stories survived.When the Jewish prisoners of Warsaw Ghetto realized that Nazi atrocities might go unanswered, they courageously risked their lives and resisted with just pen and paper as their weapons. In an act of defiance, they wrote and buried deep underground a complete record of what they endured. After the war, Hersh Wasser, the only survivor who knew where the records were buried, led the effort to recover them.This true story of the Oneg Shabbat Archive was the subject of an award-winning adult book and documentary film.Part mystery, part adventure, part tragedy, Under the Rubble tells this courageous, true story as an age-appropriate introduction to the Holocaust. The book includes notes from those who were part of the effort to recover the cannisters.Extensive backmatter includes a historical note, glossary, and a list of resources for further learning."Chilling yet poignant. . . A powerful and accessible introduction." —School Library Journal"A fitting tribute." —Jewish Book Garden"A qui­et­ly dra­mat­ic text, stun­ning pic­tures, and inven­tive design present young read­ers with a truth­ful and inspir­ing vision of heroism." —Jewish Book Council

News of war can make children anxious, concerned and upset. This book gently explains how wars come about, how they have changed over time, who's there to help during wartime, what happens when a war is over and how we can all make the world more peaceful. Written in a clear, approachable style, with carefully chosen examples, Why are there wars? is both informative and reassuring. Internet links suggest positive projects for children, including making origami peace doves.