Review: Looking at the Sky

Looking at the Sky: How Dr. Janusz Korczak Fought for Children's Rights

Author: Amanda West Lewis 
Illustrator: Abigail Rajunov

Kids Can Press, 2026

ISBN: 9781525310249

$18.99 CAD

80 pages

Ages: 8 to 12 years old
Recommended library audience: School and public library

Warsaw, Poland, 1923. 7-year-old Izaak lives with his three older sisters after his parents died. They struggle to care for him, so send him to an orphanage, where he falls under the care of Dr. Janusz Korczak.

At the orphanage, Izaak has enough to eat, and can go to school. Dr. Korczak teaches him and the other children how to advocate for themselves, care for one another, and dream. The foundation Izaak gets from the orphanage helps him on his eventual journey to Canada, and to deal with the difficulties of being far from members of his family, who are in a country at war.

Looking at the Sky tells the real story of Dr. Korczak and his pupils. Rajunov’s starkly coloured images are a perfect addition to West Lewis’ prose, which helps children understand how important their voices are and how they can advocate for themselves and a better future. This book is well suited to children who like to read graphic novels that share important historical events and stories.