Book Description

Publisher donations from sales of the book go toward "HOME IN OUR HEARTS" donation program to help Ukrainian newcomers settle into their new homes.
"Thank you so much! This is truly kind of you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
—Yuliya Gorbach, St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Evacuee Welcome Committee

From the publishers of The Little Book: Story Reader for a Free Ukraine comes Olya and Olena Escape the Invaders, a story about two young Ukrainian ballet students who escape the Russian invasion of Mariupol and embark on a difficult journey to safety. Along the way they encounter helpers who aid them on their way, including an angelic grandmother and a dog named Rinnie. Although they know they will miss their homeland, they eventually make their way to Canada where they too become important helpers.

About the Author

OLYA ILLICHOV. Olya, who is 13 years old, started to write stories when she was 8. She lives in Kyiv, Ukraine but also loves to visit her grandfather in Radvantsi, a village near Lviv. Her hobbies are fishing and playing volleyball. She also helps homeless cats find forever homes.

MADDY SHYBA. The Canadian in our creative ranks, Maddy shares a house in Calgary with two cats, an oil painter, a pianist, and a dog. When not writing Maddy likes to spend time practicing as many hobbies as possible, all at the same time.

DIANA BEZUKH. Diana was born in Mykolaiv, Ukraine and studied at the Lviv National Academy of Arts. Since starting her freelance work, she has illustrated eight books. Diana was recently welcomed as a newcomer to Canada.

VOlodymyR SHYBA. Volodymyr is a musician and music teacher who studied guitar in Donetsk and Odessa. He loves to perform and to educate others to enjoy music. His first song to officially release (pages 38/39) is dedicated to all Ukrainians who are suffering in the war.