Three children’s books have been published recently about the 150-year anniversary of the Russian Mennonite migration to North America:

Katy: The Little Rose from Ukraine (Masthof) by Joan and Lisa Mueller is the first in a new series about 5-year-old Katy Mueller and her family, one of 11 German-Russian families to seek a new home in the United States, settling in Dakota Territory in 1874. Written for ages 8-12, readers of all ages will enjoy this adventure into an unknown future.

Kernels of Hope: Little Mary’s Journey to Canada (Christian Light) by Tina Fehr is a sweet story of the Russian Mennonite migration to Manitoba, featuring a relatable main character who wants to take her cloth doll on the arduous journey to their new home. Beautifully illustrated in full color, this book is recommended for ages 6 and up.

Then the Rules Changed (Prairieland) by Carolyn Zeisset features Isaac, who joins the migration to the American Great Plains in the 1870s when the czar mandates German-speaking people become Russian. The story is supported by recipes, discussion questions and downloadable activities on the author’s website, carolynzeisset.com.

Coming in spring 2025: Caught in the Middle. Isaac’s daughter, Alice, is caught between childhood and adulthood, changing women’s roles, American loyalty and a German-speaking peace church heritage in World War I.

Other notable children’s books coming April 8, 2025, from Herald Press are:

Sparking Peace by Teresa Kim Pecinovsky and Hannah Martin is a poetic peacemaking picture book for ages 5-9 that shows how conflict can be turned into friendship and new beginnings. Illustrations by Gabhor Utomo portray the transformation of weapons into tools of peace.

Stitched Together by Aimee Reid and illustrated by Kate Cosgrove celebrates the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism with the tale of a young girl learning from her elders the history of their faith, her church community and her own story. Diverse characters and colorful illustrations celebrate the joy of making something together. Suggested for ages 5-9.

Children can identify with heroes of Anabaptist faith (familiar and unfamiliar) through what they did “when [they] were your age” in A Light to Share: Stories of Spreading Love and Changing the World by Natalie Frisk, illustrated by Maria Diaz Perera. Written directly to the child reader/listener, the text invites children to consider how to spread the good news of God’s loving kingdom and invite others to follow Jesus through real people who have shared about Jesus through preaching, peace clubs, podcasts, teaching biology and much more. With the light of Jesus in us, how will we share the light?