One April night, people living near Chernobyl see a bright light in the sky...Everyone is told to move out of the forbidden zone around the destroyed nuclear reactor, but two stubborn old ladies, Anna and Klara, refuse to leave.

Nine years later, the forest wolves bring a ragged child to their door - a child who has been living with wolves in the forbidden zone. Who is the lost child of Chernobyl and will Anna and Klara be able to find the child's family after all this time?

Inspired by the real events of the global environmental disaster at Chernobyl in April 1986, this haunting and deeply relevant graphic novel is about the place of humans in the natural world, about healing, survival and the meaning of home.

From the award-wining author of Peter in Peril, USBBY Outstanding International Book, and Me and Mrs Moon.

About the Author

Helen Bate has personal knowledge of the Chernobyl crisis. In 1986, she and her young family were living close to North Wales when the area was badly affected by the Chernobyl radioactive fallout and farmers were prevented from selling affected livestock for 25 years. Her brother in law worked for the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, monitoring the global situation. From 2006 Helen became involved in the work of the Chernobyl Children's Charities and has been following the events that took place after Chernobyl ever since. She is the author and illustrator of The Creature, Peter in Peril (a USBBY Honor Book) and Me and Mrs Moon (chosen for Empathy Lab's 2020 Read For Empathy listing). She lives in Shropshire, UK.

Reviews

"A powerful graphic novel exploring the place of humans in the natural world."

-- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *

"Helen Bate invents a child brought up by wolves in the woods, but tells the real story of the global environmental disaster at Chernobyl in April 1986."

* Books for Keeps *

"A hugely affecting graphic novel for older children...highly relevant to the present and future dilemmas facing us all, with its themes of survival and healing, this is definitely a book to introduce to older KS2 readers and beyond."

* Red Reading Hub *

"A moving, totally believable modern fairytale."

-- Patrick Barkham, Guardian * Twitter *

"Harrowing and historic...I learnt a lot."

-- Rich Charlesworth * Primary English Lead, UKLA London *

"Inspired by the real events of the global environmental disaster at Chernobyl in April 1986, this haunting and deeply relevant graphic novel is about the place of humans in the natural world, about healing, survival and the meaning of home... The graphics in the story excellently portray the reality of the aftermath and provide thought provoking materials for discussion. Otter-Barry are the publishers of courageous and inspirational books for children. The Lost Child of Chernobyl is one of their best!"

* Dolphin Book Blog *

"It is a powerful and moving graphic novel that is perfect for young readers - moving and enlightening... I am in awe of the way Bate makes a difficult subject so accessible for young readers. As we face up to climate change and its long-term impact on our world there is much that we can learn from events at Chernobyl. The book is deeply affecting but full of hope for the resilience of humans and the natural world."

* The Historian Next Door *



Book Information
ISBN 9781913074715
Author Helen Bate
Format Hardback
Page Count 56
Imprint Otter-Barry Books Ltd
Publisher Otter-Barry Books Ltd