Praise and Poems

As organizers of children’s one-day camps at the Sport-Elite horse club, we at Oleksandr Pikalov’s Charity Foundation found this book deeply moving. Our collaborative efforts with Irene and Viacheslav Musiienko are aimed at restoring to traumatised children the carefree childhood that war has stolen from them, and we wholeheartedly support this publication, which will ensure that the children’s stories reach a wide audience.  Oleksandr Pikalov, President of the Charity Foundation

This book is the most powerful, heartbreaking and life affirming thing I have ever read. Having volunteered in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, I was afraid that I would react too emotionally to the events in these pages. Instead, finishing Viacheslav’s diary, I felt inspired and motivated to live, to be happy every day, to tell people that I love them, and not to be ashamed of my feelings. The love in the book transforms a war text into a healing story about the strength of the spirit and the limitless possibilities of a person who loves life.  Gemma Campling, founder of Worldwide Vets Charity Fund (UK)

While I was reading the book, I kept thinking, what if I found myself in the boots of the author or characters in this incredible and powerful story? How would I react to these tragic events? What would the painful loss of family, friends, and animals, particularly horses, which, like the author, I adore, do to me? I don’t want anyone to go through what the characters in the book went through. But I would recommend that everyone read this exciting story about real people, as it will provide support in difficult times.  Joost Siemerink, trainer, rider and stable owner in the Netherlands