Yonit Levi, the news anchor of the top-rated Channel 12 evening news broadcast on Keshet and one of the most respected voices in Israeli journalism, has collaborated with Emmy-winning CNN anchor and senior global affairs analyst Bianna Golodryga to write a novel for children ages 8-12 about the danger of antisemitism, called Don’t Feed the Lion. The book will be published on November 11 by Arcadia Children’s Books, a division of Arcadia Publishing.
“When visiting libraries and bookstores in search of books about antisemitism that speak directly to young readers, we were surprised to find very few options available,” said Golodryga and Levi, both of whom have children.
“With the sharp rise in explicit antisemitism and hate around the world, our goal was to write a book for all readers who want to feel less alone in their identity, and for those who want to stand up against bias and discrimination with empathy and awareness.”
Don’t Feed the Lion tackles hate and bullying from the point of view of three children in Chicago who are forced to confront antisemitism when a beloved soccer star makes an antisemitic remark, and a swastika is scrawled on a school locker.
The story follows Theo, his sister Annie, and their new friend Gabe, each of whom deals with prejudice, identity, friendship, and silence in different ways. Arcadia describes the book as “fast-paced, funny, emotional, and grounded in the realities kids are facing right now online and off.”
Levi has anchored Israel’s most-watched primetime news program
For the past 22 years, Levi has anchored Israel’s most-watched primetime news program and has interviewed world leaders, such as US presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush, and important newsmakers including Bill Gates and former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
In 2021 Levi started a weekly podcast, “UNHOLY: Two Jews on the News,” with Jonathan Freedland of the Guardian. On the podcast, they discuss world affairs from a Jewish perspective. It has listeners in more than 120 countries.
Golodryga has reported extensively on Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, helped lead CNN’s extensive Russia-related coverage, and regularly fills in as host of signature CNN programs, including “Amanpour” and “Fareed Zakaria GPS.” She anchors “One World with Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga” weekdays and is CNN’s senior global affairs analyst.
The book is available to pre-order now Bookshop.Org and will be sold at booksellers in the US in the fall.