Ukrainian children's books on their way to Danish public libraries

We are now purchasing 1,000 children's books, which the public libraries will provide access to for the Ukrainian refugees who are currently arriving in Denmark.

Ukrainian children look at books at a library in Turka near Lviv
Ukrainian children at a library in Turka, near Lviv.

Photo: Kocolovuch Ola/Wikimedia Commons

Published 04 April 2022 | Revision 09 September 2024

4 April 2022.

It is hardly books that get priority space in the suitcase of the millions of Ukrainians who have to flee their homes as a result of Russia's invasion of their country. Therefore, many of the families with children who have found their way to Denmark will have limited access to children's books in their mother tongue.

Based on demand from the Danish public libraries, we initially buy 1,000 children's books divided between 14 titles from the publisher Saxo, which has reached an agreement with the Ukrainian publisher Old Lion Publishing House. We have been involved very early in the agreement between the two publishers and have, among other things, quality assured the titles that are purchased.

As soon as the titles arrive at our address, they will be part of the public libraries' subscription scheme with us. It is also possible to buy the books directly from Saxo.

Collaboration with Ukrainian publisher and Danish companies

The sale of the children's books takes place without profit for Saxo, and all profits go to the Ukrainian publisher Old Lion Publishing House and its staff, who are residents in Lviv, Ukraine, and who are naturally strongly influenced by the situation in the country.

At the same time, the Danish printing companies Scandbook.dk and Lasertryk have entered into the collaboration with the promise of only having to cover their costs.