Ukrainian mum's book inspired by new friendships

A Ukrainian woman who fled her home country following the Russian invasion has released a children's book inspired by her daughter adjusting to life in a new place.

Veronika's Treasure Adventures on the Isle of Man was written and illustrated by Yuliia Brykailo, who arrived on the island with her children in October 2022.

Ms Brykailo said he daughter had found the move "difficult" but was welcomed by the staff and students at Arbory Primary School who had "supported her constantly" ever since.

The tale takes the girl, who is feeling sad and missing home, on a journey that visits Manx landmarks, before she discovers the "true treasure of the Isle of Man is friendship".

Ms Brykailo said it had been "so hard emotionally, physically and morally" to make the decision to leave Kiev at the beginning of the conflict.

"Seeing so much change around us was a horrifying feeling and it changed our lives into before and after," she said.

"There was so much we had to leave behind, our families and our things."

Arriving on island using the Isle of Man Homes for Ukraine scheme, she said her host family and other residents had made her "experience here truly magical".

"People have been so welcoming and nice to us," she said.

In the tale Veronika uses a map given to her by her mother to explore the island's "treasures", such as the steam train, Castle Rushen and Cafe Lingo, which supports residents whose first language is not English.

Ms Brykailo said: "Initially the story was meant to be written just for Veronika, to make sure she remembers the people who were around her and everyone who's treated us so well."

They included teachers and pupils at Arbory Primary School who "learned a few words in Ukrainian" to make the then five-year-old Veronika "feel so welcome", she said.

It was that new Manx support network, which also included their host family, that convinced her to share the story with other readers.

The illustrator said while it was inspired by the family moving to the island and leaving behind the conflict, it was also about "people moving and the big changes it brings into their lives".

"But it does get better in the end in this book, and with time you do get that feeling of home," she added.

The 13-page books, which were printed in Ukraine, have been stocked in two Manx bookshops.

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