Renowned British children’s writer and illustrator, Shirley Hughes, has made a posthumous book donation to the National Library of Ukraine for Children in Kyiv. The unique collection of 555 books includes 51 books that will be transferred to the Kherson Regional Library for Children, 51 to the Mykolaiv Regional Library for Children, and 30 to the Donetsk Regional Library for Children. Other regional libraries will also receive Shirley Hughes books for their collections.
Background of the Book Donation
In honor of their mother’s love for Ukraine, her children decided to donate her unique book collection to Ukraine. Hughes’ eldest son, Ed, a well-known journalist for The Guardian, is also a Ukraine enthusiast who learns Ukrainian, visits frontline cities, and covers events in the country.
The Event
The First Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Rostyslav Karandieiev, welcomed guests, children, librarians, and journalists to a ZOOM event to mark the occasion. Among the participants were Ukrainian children, Ed Woollum, journalist of The Guardian, Rachel Isolde, a French volunteer, Serhiy Korovainyi, a Ukrainian photographer, Damir Sagoli, a photographer and director of the Warm Foundation, Danis Tanovic, a Bosnian filmmaker, Remy Ordan, a reporter for Le Monde, Loué Lagrand, coordinator of the project “Libraries without Borders Ukraine,” Philippe Lojoie, journalist, François Thoma, photographer for Le Monde, Andriyan Votti, photographer for the French magazine “West France,” and others.
Shirley Hughes’ Legacy
Shirley Hughes illustrated over 200 children’s books and wrote 50 herself, selling over 11 million copies worldwide. She was honored with the most prestigious literary prizes for her work in writing and illustration, and her books are popular among children and adults worldwide. Throughout her life, she fought for the preservation of libraries and supported European libraries.
The donation of Shirley Hughes’ book collection to Ukrainian libraries is a touching tribute to her love for Ukraine and her passion for libraries. This generous gift will undoubtedly benefit children and adults across the country, inspiring them with the power of literature and art.
