Young Kids Grapple With Antisemitism in New Book from Journalists Bianna Golodrya, Yonit Levi

Two veteran TV journalists want to help spark a discussion about antisemitism, but not through traditional journalism.

Bianna Golodryga, a longtime presence on CNN, and Yonit Levi, the anchor of Israel’s top primetime news program on Channel 12, have written “Don’t Feed the Lion,” a novel aimed at kids 8 through 12 that tackles topics around hate and bullying. In the book, three kids in Chicago — Theo, his sister Annie, and their new friend Gabe –are forced to grapple with a soccer star who makes an antisemitic remark and a swastika that appears on a school locker.

Published by Arcadia Children’s Books, a division of Arcadia Publishing, “Don’t Feed the Lion” will go on sale November 11.

“The alarming rise in antisemitism and antisemitic incidents has shaken communities around the world. Some of the most impressionable age groups — teens and pre-teens — are trying to make sense of a world that can feel confusing, frightening, or unfair,’ says Golodryga. “Our hope is that this book fosters greater understanding and empathy across all backgrounds and beliefs.”

The duo say they were surprised when visiting libraries and bookstore to find few books about antisemitism that speak directly to young readers, particularly as more incidents of such behavior surface. “We were alarmed by how antisemitism has become more visible and more violent in recent years,” says Levi. “As journalists, we follow these stories every day, but as mothers, we felt a responsibility to help children make sense of them.”

The pair have already won endorsements from notables. “This book is so needed right now,” says actor Gal Gadot. Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots who is also founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, says the new book “shows how a single moment of hate can ripple—and how young people can choose to lead with strength and decency instead.”

“Our hope is that this book starts conversations, not just about antisemitism, but about identity, empathy, and the courage it takes to stand up for one another,” say Golodryga and Levi.

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