The Day War Came

A powerful and necessary picture book – the journey of a child forced to become a refugee when war destroys everything she has ever known.

Imagine if, on an ordinary day, war came. Imagine it turned your town to rubble. Imagine going on a long and difficult journey – all alone. Imagine finding no welcome at the end of it. Then imagine a child who gives you something small but very, very precious...

When the government refused to allow 3000 child refugees to enter this country in 2016, Nicola Davies was so angry she wrote a poem. It started a campaign for which artists contributed drawings of chairs, symbolising a seat in a classroom, education, kindness, the hope of a future. The poem has become this book, movingly illustrated by Rebecca Cobb. A powerful aid for explaining the ongoing refugee crisis to younger readers. Published in partnership with Help Refugees. Endorsed by Amnesty International.

Book Features:

• A moving and timely picture book that shows the devastating effects of war and champions education.

About the Author

Nicola Davies is an award-winning author, whose many books for children include King of the Sky, The Promise, A First Book of Nature, A First Book of Animals, A First Book of the Sea, Tiny, Lots, Big Blue Whale, Bat Loves the Night and the Ariki series. Nicola graduated in zoology, studied whales and bats and then worked for the BBC Natural History Unit. In 2017, she became the first ever recipient of the SLA’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Information Books. She Nicola lives in Wales.

About the Illustrator

Rebecca Cobb graduated from Falmouth College of Arts in 2004. She has collaborated with the Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson on picture books including The Paper Dolls, Orange Prize-winner Helen Dunmore on books including The Lonely Sea Dragon and popular film-maker Richard Curtis on Christmas titles including The Empty Stocking. Rebecca was the winner of the 2013 Waterstones Prize and has twice been shortlisted for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Award.