The Friendship Train: A True Story of Helping and Healing after World War II

Gr 1-4–What could one person do to help people in need? Levy answers that question: one person can do a lot. This book tells the story of Drew Pearson, a writer in Washington, D.C., who comes up with an idea to send food to war-torn France and Italy just after World War II. His idea catches on even better than he could have imagined, and when it’s time to set sail for Europe, it takes four ships to move all the goods. The people of France and Italy were very grateful and sent back their thanks, including gifts for every state. This is an inspiring story of what a single person can do to make a difference. The warmly colored artwork is a perfect match for the text, offering period details to help readers understand the feat that Pearson undertook and accomplished. Educators and families will enjoy this story of hope and persistence; in a time of political peril, the book will more than inspire children to act.