The Friendship Train: A True Story of Helping and Healing After World War II

Following WWII, a brutal winter was descending on war-torn Europe, and “children’s bellies growled,” writes Levy (The Key from Spain)—“There was peace, but not enough to eat.” In Washington, D.C., journalist Drew Pearson (1897–1969) had an idea: a cross-country “Friendship Train” that Americans could fill with food staples for eventual delivery to Europe. Children rallied to the cause, contributing their “ice-cream nickels” and trick-or-treating for donations instead of candy. Pencil, black tea, and gouache artwork by Kulikov (Stay Curious!) employs the sepia tones and grainy textures of vintage photographs, but not the snapshots’ static feel. Sweeping historically informed spreads convey a nation galvanized as the ever-growing train winds across the United States. The images, some seemingly drawn from a child’s-eye view, celebrate U.S. children’s generosity to their overseas counterparts as emphatic text reveals how European children responded to the offerings with gifts of their own. It’s a potently meaningful look at how, in that moment at least, the question “Would Americans care for strangers as they would care for friends?” was answered with a resounding yes. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. A concluding author’s note offers context. Ages 5–8. Author’s agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary. (June)