A picture book adaptation of the animated short film War Is Over! is coming later this year, Penguin Young Readers announced in a news release.
The War Is Over! film, written and directed by Dave Mullins, was inspired by “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” the 1971 song written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono and performed by the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir. The film follows a carrier pigeon who delivers messages being exchanged by two soldiers in warring armies who are playing a game of chess. The film won the Academy Award for best animated short film last year.
The book is written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s son, Sean Ono Lennon, along with Mullins and Brad Booker. It is illustrated by Max Narciso. Penguin calls it “a stirring reminder of the human connection that binds us all, even during the most divisive times.”
“The tale of our pigeon felt like it needed to be put into an illustrated book,” Sean Ono Lennon said in a statement. “Our wish is that parents will be able to share this story with their kids. War is a difficult subject, and we hope this book will serve as a conversation starter for families and friends.”
War Is Over! is slated for publication on Nov. 4.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
