Books have the unique ability to transport us to new places and help us see the world through someone else’s eyes. In primary schools, assemblies and classroom discussions based on powerful stories can foster understanding, empathy, and friendship among pupils. This week, we explore how one family’s story—and the book that grew from it—continues to inspire and connect children. Veronika’s Journey: Welcoming New Friends After fleeing the war in Ukraine, Yuliia Brykailo and her daughter, Veronika, found a new home on the Isle of Man. Inspired by Veronika’s experience settling into a new community and the kindness they received, Yuliia wrote a children’s book called Veronika’s Treasure Adventures on the Isle of Man. The story follows a young girl who explores her new island home and discovers that the greatest treasure is true friendship. Veronika’s new classmates made her feel welcome, even learning some Ukrainian words to include her in school life. This real-life kindness is reflected throughout Yuliia’s book, offering other children insight into the power of inclusion and empathy. Predict, Reflect, Connect What Could the Book Be About? Consider the title Veronika’s Treasure Adventures on the Isle of Man. What adventures and discoveries might Veronika find? What could the ‘treasure’ really be? How Can Writing and Reading Stories Help? Stories can be a source of comfort and healing for those who write and those who read them. For the Brykailo family, writing a book allowed them to process their journey. For other children, books can open windows into different experiences and ways of life, inspiring empathy and understanding. The Power of Books to Change Perspectives Books can have a deep impact. Think about a story you’ve read that made you see the world differently or helped you understand yourself better. Sharing these experiences with others can spark meaningful discussion and reflection in the classroom. Stepping Into Someone Else’s Shoes Even if we haven’t experienced what Veronika has, we can use stories to imagine her feelings—what it’s like to arrive in a new country, start a new school, or make new friends. Stories like Veronika’s help us realize the importance of making everyone feel welcome and included. Thoughtful Questions If you were to write a book to help others, what would it be about? Which is your favourite book, and how did it make you feel? Would you recommend your favourite book? Why? What makes a book powerful or memorable? Do you think only true stories can change the world, or can fiction do that too? Is a book ‘world-changing’ even if not everyone agrees with its message? Who Do We Love and Why? Favourite characters often feel like friends we revisit each time we read their story. In the classroom, making a list of much-loved characters can reveal qualities many pupils admire: bravery, kindness, or a sense of humour. Discuss how these characters’ emotions and choices shape our feelings and understanding. Would you join them on a new adventure or help them solve challenges? Engaged Reading and Reflection ‘World Changing’ Acronym Create an acronym using the phrase ‘world changing.’ Each letter could represent an idea—like ‘Welcome’ or ‘Hope’—and a sentence to show how it connects to change. This activity encourages teamwork and creative thinking about the values that matter most. Books That Make a Difference Class discussions could include standing in different parts of the room to show agreement with statements such as: “Books raise awareness,” “Books inspire action,” or “Books help us share emotions.” Pupils can then tally the results and talk about why opinions differ, using examples of impactful books from history. Expressing Character Feelings Drawing a feelings wheel around a favourite character’s portrait can help children consider how that character feels at different points in the story—and why. Such reflection builds emotional awareness and a deeper connection to reading. Bringing It All Together For younger children, activities like going on a character name hunt around the classroom or using emotion grids to discuss favourite characters can make discussions about stories even more interactive and memorable. Older pupils might examine why some books still matter today, how they address similar issues across time, and what universal messages they offer. The Lasting Power of Stories Books can transform the way we understand the world and other people. Through literature, even the smallest readers can develop empathy and curiosity. By sharing stories, we not only entertain but also encourage kindness, courage, and awareness in young minds. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
