A TAUNTON author wrote a song and set up a Facebook page in solidarity with the Ukrainian illustrator he worked with.

John Eaton, author of the children’s book series about Spid the Spider, wrote ‘Today the whole world is Ukrainian’ with Pete Dymond inspired by a conversation he had with Julia, the Ukrainian illustrator working with Mr Eaton on the books.

Mr Eaton said it was Julia who inspired the lyrics for the song.
He said he “wanted to do something” but was struggling to find the right words.

Julia told Mr Eaton one of the messages of support she received said ‘All the world is Ukrainian’ and Mr Eaton thought it was “great”.

He also said Julia will translate the song into Ukrainian.

Mr Eaton said Julia, who lives in Ukraine, had to leave her city and moved to a safer place with her family following the Russian attacks.

He also set up a Facebook group called Somerset for Ukraine so that people can show their support to Ukraine during the conflict.

Mr Eaton added: “Julia had to move with her family. She just wants this to be over, she wants everything to be normal as it was before.

“She has been corresponding with me and she has been very grateful for all the support she has received.

“She was overwhelmed by the messages of support she received from the Somerset people.”

Julia has been working with Mr Eaton since September 2021. Mr Eaton said “we were very busy with illustration we needed more people to join”.

He explained that with today’s technology people can also work remotely and Julia “will be the main illustrator”.

You can listen to the song here, https://soundcloud.com/john-eaton-205933369/today-the-whole-world-is-ukrainian?fbclid=IwAR2slCm3vcZru4AYoZBqP7i6Zum_UOG3v-SgqUPB3T3my8cANfV7xVvM5PQ