Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Ayo Oyeku’s “What Happened on Thursday?” is a poignant and powerful narrative that captures the harrowing experiences of a family during the Nigerian Civil War. found this book to be a deeply moving and thought-provoking read.

Oyeku’s vivid descriptions of the chaos and devastation are balanced by moments of familial love and resilience, making the story both heartbreaking and hopeful.

The characters in “What Happened on Thursday?” are richly drawn and deeply human. The family’s strength and unity in the face of unimaginable adversity are beautifully portrayed, highlighting the enduring power of love and hope. Oyeku’s ability to convey complex emotions through simple, poetic language is remarkable.
Oyeku’s writing is lyrical and evocative, capturing the stark realities of war while also celebrating the strength of the human spirit. 

Oyeku’s sensitive and insightful portrayal of the Nigerian Civil War and its impact on ordinary people is educational yet deeply moving. The book’s message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity is universal, making it relevant to readers of all ages and backgrounds.

What Happened on Thursday?” is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant story that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.

Oyeku’s talent for storytelling shines through in this powerful narrative, making it a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction and stories of human resilience.

I think books like these allow children to understand that not everybody lives like them. They are able to see a different culture, upbringing, environment, from another perspective. It opens their eyes to how different and how hard life can be for some. What Happened On Thursday? shares a horrific story in a gentle and hopeful way. I like that the author included some history information regarding the war and also some discussion questions to make for an impactful conversation.

This is one of those books that should be kept in every school library.

The book is done very well and sensitive but its also quite hard hitting and gives plenty of discussion points.
The illustrations in the book are superb and they bring the horrors of war to a new audience in a delicate way.

This is the kind of book that is shied away from at school and things like modern wars or civil wars, like this one in Nigeria (6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970) are subjects that are not taught in the curriculum but should be as this is the current news in a lot of cases or more recent than what is taught - there needs to be more of a focus on this rather than just WWI and WWII.

The book is well written and it is easy to follow - the whole book is done so well too and it is a great way to discuss things like war and the impact on this on children and families.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

Books like this one are hard, but so so important. It's important for historical purposes (I knew nothing about Nigeria's civil war in the late 60s until reading this!) and it's important to understand what people go through in any war. Telling the story through the eyes of a child, it didn't need to go into gory detail, but was enough to show the hardships for children to understand and empathize with.

Anyone who reads very many of my posts here knows about my love for picture books that teach children about their world. I haven’t come across very many about war, but that’s exactly what What Happened on Thursday? is about. I actually didn’t realize it was a picture book when I signed up for it; had I noticed that, I likely wouldn’t have requested it.

I ended up being quite impressed with What Happened on Thursday? Though it is about a war, there is no mention of people being hurt or killed, and no pictures that show blood. There are several pages with pictures of houses burning and smoke, and the text describes that, as well as talking about hunger and clothing being ragged as a result of running from the war, but that is the most that it shows. The main theme of the book is how the family stayed together and survived. There is a note at the end about this war, which began in 1967 and ended in 1970. This book is a good way for children to learn about another part of the world and what happened there over 50 years ago.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Fires and hunger as a result of the war.

‘What Happened on Thursday?’ is a poignant and emotionally resonant story set against the backdrop of the Nigerian Civil War. Told through the eyes of a child, the narrative offers a deeply moving account of one family's struggle for survival, resilience, and the enduring power of love in the face of unimaginable hardship.

Plot: ★★★★★
The plot is beautifully crafted, taking readers on a harrowing yet hopeful journey as a family is forced to flee their home and navigate the dangers of war-torn Nigeria. The story captures the fear, uncertainty, and heartbreak of displacement, while also highlighting the strength and unity that binds the family together. The pacing is expertly handled, allowing the gravity of the situation to unfold while maintaining a sense of hope and determination.

Character: ★★★★★
The characters are richly developed, particularly the child narrator, whose innocent yet perceptive observations bring the story to life. The portrayal of the family’s love and support for one another amidst the chaos of war is both heartwarming and heartrending. Each character is rendered with depth and authenticity, making their struggles and triumphs deeply impactful.

Illustrations: ★★★★★
The illustrations in ‘What Happened on Thursday?’ complement the narrative perfectly, capturing the emotional intensity of the story while adding layers of meaning through visual storytelling. The artwork is evocative, reflecting the somber reality of war, contrasted by moments of warmth and light that symbolise the family's love and resilience.

Engagement: ★★★★★
The story is highly engaging, drawing readers in with its powerful narrative and compelling characters. The child’s perspective offers a unique and intimate view of the events, making the reader feel closely connected to the family's journey. The emotional depth and the historical context of the story ensure that it resonates strongly with readers of all ages.

Readability: ★★★★★
The language is accessible and beautifully written, striking a balance between simplicity and poignancy. The narrative voice is authentic and clear, making it easy for young readers to understand and relate to the story, while still offering depth and insight for older readers.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★
‘What Happened on Thursday?’ is a deeply moving and unforgettable read. The story's blend of historical significance, emotional depth, and the enduring theme of family love makes it a book that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page. It's a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the bonds that can sustain us even in the darkest of times.


‘What Happened on Thursday?’ by Ayo Oyeku is a masterful tale of survival, love, and hope set during one of Nigeria's most tumultuous periods. Through the eyes of a child, readers are taken on a journey that is as heartbreaking as it is uplifting. The story, combined with its beautiful illustrations, makes this book an essential read for those looking to understand the impact of war on families and the unbreakable bonds that hold them together.

I asked for this book in hopes of buying it once it was out to share with my youth group. Although I have since left that job, I will definitely be purchasing a copy to share with the children in my life. This is a very age-appropriate way to discuss war with children.

War, as seen through the eyes of a child; it is scary, horrific, runningrunningrunning [but never fully escaping], exhaustion, a new place to live [tents/refugee camp], YET gratitude for family and the ability to be together and alive! Then, finally an end and a final move and life returning to a new normal.

Brilliantly illustrated and written [the author is Nigerian], this is a fantastic book about war in another country and what happens before and during the war and then, what happens after the war ends and the dust settles, all while reminding the reader that there is always something to be grateful for, no matter what the circumstances.

Very well done!!

Thank you to Ayo Oyeku, Lydia Mba - Illustrator, and Amazon Crossings Kids for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful children’s book about the Nigerian Civil War. Not only is it beautifully written, but the illustrations and details within them make this story even more special—from the colour of the car, their clothing, and even the details in their faces at the beginning vs end of the story.

Set during the 1967-1970 Nigerian civil war, What Happened on a Thursday? is a picture book narrated from the perspective of a young boy forced to flee with his parents and younger sister.

Writing about war for young readers is not an easy task, but Ayo Oyeku finds a balance between the everday details that stand out to a child, like bread for breakfast, and the larger traumas of war time, like life in a refugee camp. Lydia Mba’s sharp illustrations use both vibrant and dark pallettes, capturing the range of emotions and echoing Oyeku’s text that is both succint and poetic.

Includes notes about the civil war and from the author, and discussion questions.

Review to be included on the SCBWI blog hosted by World Kid Lit in September 2024.

I felt this was a well written way of describing a civil war for children to understand. The storytelling and artwork meld together well, giving the reader an idea of what it was like without being too much. The young characters go through a myriad of emotions while navigating the new world around them and still keep hope for a better life. I’d recommend this book for young readers. I read this via NetGalley and am giving my honest review.

What Happened on Thursday? is a beautifully illustrated book that can also be used in classrooms. It includes discussion points at the end.

I don't know what to say about children's books about war. What adjectives can I use?
Glad that this book exists but also wish it never had to exist?
Beautifully told, suitable for children because it shows that every care has been taken not to make the war graphic, and still very poignant and profound, What Happened on Thursday opens up important conversations.

This book tells a story of the Nigerian Civil War that both started and ended on Thursdays from 6th July 1967 to 15th January 1970.

I also thought it was good to see the family before the war started as I think it makes it easier for people without experience of war, to identify with the situation. The children studied at school and were driven there in the father's car but slowly the news of war began to infiltrate every aspect of their lives.

I thought that the attention to detail in the illustrations was particularly powerful. The family car, white before the war starts and dusty brown following an explosion and the clothes worn by the family, which don't change until the war ends, are clever ways to show the impact of war on the day-to-day aspects of life that aren't always clear from media reports.

This is a really beautiful book that would be a very useful addition to the school library. We have lots of books about refugees and ensuring that people fleeing are made to feel welcome but this provides a really clear, age-appropriate explanation of one way people can be forced to leave in the first place.

A heart rending tale of a childs experience of war. This tale of the Nigerian civil war is told in a way suitable to share with older children. My grandchildren needed to be told of such things happening in the world and this was sensitively done. A great book to share and discuss.

Beautifully written and illustrated, this picture book shares a child’s experience during the Nigerian civil war. It’s short enough to hold attention, and includes additional information about the Nigerian Civil War at the end, to aid in discussion. While a child’s experience with war might not be something you’d think about wanting to read to your child, depictions of war (in movies, the news, etc) is unavoidable and this picture book shows some of the hardships of war in a tasteful way.

This is a heartfelt story from a child that tells the story of the Nigerian Civil War. This war lasted 3 years from 1968 to 1970. The devastation this child felt was so sad. One day he going to school in his Dads white car and the next he is fleeing for his life. But through it all his family stayed together and never gave up hope. It really brings the reality of war in the writing and illustrations.

What Happened on Thursday is a beautifully written book about the Nigerian civil war that took place for three years. It devastated families living lives of normalcy to living lives as nomads to protect themselves from the heinous acts of war it’s written through the eyes of a young boy. He describes how they survived those three years and his hope for his families future. The prose in this short story are perfect and I love the illustrations. I am looking forward to sharing this with my students. I also appreciated the four questions at the end of the book and the narrative about the author. The questions are thought provoking and brings awareness to hardships that many children will never have to experience. Thank you so much for writing this beautiful book.

A beautiful, emotive story about Nigerian Civil War from the eyes of a child. I think this would be a great resource to teach children about the lives of other children in war torn countries. I also think it's good for adults, people become so numb to these stories when they hear them on the news I think a book like this could really have an emotional impact. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is important, hopeful and a necessary read

This book is a good companion piece to Chimamanda's book Half of a Yellow Sun in that while it's short, it tells of the war from a child's POV, something we rarely see.

I recommend reading about the Author's Note in the end.

Definitely recommend!