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

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

An impeccably researched, touching true story of the kindness of strangers around the world following World War II from a bestselling author and award-winning illustrator.

On one side of the ocean, a war had ended, leaving many in Europe without enough food.
On the other side of the ocean, Americans asked, How can we help?

The need was too great for any one person to fill-but what could people do if they joined together?

The answer was the Friendship Train, which ran from the West Coast to the East collecting good food for hungry bellies. Americans of all ages gave what they could. Especially children! They donated their allowances, sold newspapers, collected food from neighbors, loaded packages onto trucks and boxcars-all for strangers across the sea.

And in return, those strangers asked themselves How can we say "thank you"? Still recovering from the war, they didn't have a lot to give, but they found a way-their own train full of ways-to express their gratitude.

This heartwarming nonfiction picture book from Debbie Levy and Boris Kulikov shows how small acts of kindness can grow, healing lives and helping turn strangers into friends.

Check out The Friendship Train if you're looking for:
-A hopeful, age-appropriate introduction to the aftermath of the Second World War
-A story about kindness, helping, and healing during an important moment in history
-A true story steeped in primary source research
-A book from an award-winning author and illustrator

An author's note gives additional context about the Friendship Train and the war, along with more detail into the author's impressive primary source research.

Author: Debbie Levy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 06/03/2025
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781547608027
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 03/01/2025 pg. 92

About the Author

Debbie Levy is the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including I Dissent; This Promise of Change; The Year of Goodbyes: A True Story of Friendship, Family, and Farewells; and Imperfect Spiral. She lives in the Chesapeake Bay area.
debbielevybooks.com

Boris Kulikov graduated from The Institute of Theatre, Music And Cinema in St. Petersburg, Russia. Since 1997 he lives and works as an illustrator in Brooklyn, NY. Books he has illustrated include Papa's Mechanical Fish, Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille, Barnum's Bones, and W is for Webster.
boriskulikov.com