Knock on My Heart

I would like to thank Anna Georgievna for this wonderful, heartwarming book that takes us back to our childhood, when we were all optimists, believed in miracles, and our loving parents turned those miracles and dreams into reality.

When I was a little girl, my mother used to ask me what gift I would like to get from Father Frost for New Year. My mother and I would sit down and write a letter to him. Then I would eagerly await New Year's Eve, worrying whether my letter had reached Father Frost, whether I had been a good girl, and whether I deserved a New Year's gift. And every time, I would find the gift I wished for under the New Year tree.

Days fly by, years pass, and I have quietly entered my fifth decade. My mother has been gone for over 20 years, and my father passed away a year and a half ago. Life makes its own adjustments, and you come to realize that it is better to be an optimist not because you believe in miracles, but because an optimist gets upset only once, while a pessimist gets upset twice. A person's character, their life ideals, and aspirations are all formed in childhood and depend on the environment in which the child grew up. It is very important for children to grow up in a complete family, to have loving, caring parents, and to be shielded from scandals that can traumatize a child's psyche. When a father leaves a family where the parents never argued, it is often a real tragedy for the child.

Neither the mother nor the grandmother of the story's main heroine gives an answer as to where her father disappeared to. The girl is racked with guesses: is her beloved father healthy, is he alive? She is too young to assume that her father might have fallen out of love with her mother, fallen in love with another woman, and stopped seeing his daughter because of it.

Neither a little sister, nor a gifted puppy, nor new friends bring her complete joy until her father is found.

And, finally, a miracle happens: he comes, but only after his daughter has fallen seriously ill.

Will the father stay and live with the family? Most likely, he will leave again, visit only occasionally, while our little heroine will continue to wait for him and suffer in his absence. Later, when she grows up, she will understand that her father fell out of love with her mother and left for another woman.

Will the daughter be able to understand and forgive her father? As an adult, perhaps she will, but as a child or teenager, it is highly unlikely, especially since she sees and understands everything, realizing that her mother is suffering and raising two children alone. How will her father's actions, once she fully comprehends them, affect the formation of the girl's personality?

But, on the other hand, do we have the right to judge the girl's father so harshly? Perhaps he and his wife had long lost mutual understanding, their marriage was a mistake of youth, and now he has met his true love. Should he return to his family and continue to pretend to be a loving husband, impatiently waiting for the moment to meet his lover?

You can pretend for a day or two, but you cannot pretend for a lifetime. The children will eventually start to feel the falsehood and will consider hypocrisy to be the norm of life. Perhaps it is better, after all, for the parents to live separately in such cases? Children need to be explained that life is not just black and white, and that before harshly judging someone, one must try to understand the motives and reasons behind another person's actions. Let's say our favorite cup has broken. Can we glue it back together? Probably, using Moment glue, if the pieces aren't too small. But can we continue drinking tea from this glued-together cup? Obviously not, because the glue will poison our drink, and sooner or later, the cup will fall apart again under the influence of hot water. What should we do then? Place the glued-together favorite cup in the cupboard and leave it there as a fond memory of all the good things in the past. Whether we like it or not, a page of life has been turned, and we will have to get used to a new cup.

Anna Kolesnikova's book made a profound impression on me, both from a professional psychological and a human perspective. The book reads easily and is accessible to a child's understanding, yet it carries a deep educational and philosophical meaning. And this meaning is filled with kindness and light; it touches the innermost core of our humanity, those feelings and thoughts we always strive to nurture in our children. This book is the very art of psychotherapy, immersing us through our encounter with the text.

Why do we even read books these days? The world is overflowing with information, and this endless stream of news, knowledge, and connections is practically suffocating. Books are often perceived merely as sources of practical knowledge or as a form of comforting literary "fast food" meant to be consumed while lounging on a beach. But sometimes it’s different. And strangely enough, in my case, this happened with a children’s book—one written by my academic supervisor, no less! I should note right away that the author, Anna Georgievna Kolesnikova, and I worked extensively on the text of my thesis during its drafting. Anna Georgievna edited, expanded, and guided me through massive amounts of text, and it was clear that she has an extraordinary feel for academic writing and knows exactly how to steer a narrative. Mastering style is the mark of a true writer. So, when I opened her first work of fiction—a children's book, at that—I was filled with a healthy sense of curiosity. The book itself is a large, beautiful volume, with exquisite layout and illustrations. But when it comes to the most important part—the content—there are some unexpected surprises. In the interest of full transparency, I should confess that Anna Georgievna had told me about the writing process, the real-life story that inspired it, her personal experiences, and the writer's struggles she faced in shaping the material. Yet, for that very reason, I was all the more surprised: the text reads incredibly easily, the narrative is captivating, and you are left eager to know what happens next. In this sense, much like in any complex theatrical production, the audience (in this case, the reader) sees that everything seems to have come effortlessly to the author, while simultaneously understanding the immense labor behind these lines and the plot. One realizes how such a simple, somewhat naive form can conceal an entire iceberg, of which this form is merely the tip. Search and loss are timeless themes in world literature, especially when they center on a father—a crucial figure in everyone's life, whose presence is so vital during childhood. And this story is not just about loss, but also about finding. After navigating through various stories and subplots, the ultimate discovery becomes a true catharsis. It is just like in classic literature, where a hero, having endured trials and obstacles, ultimately attains what they set out to find. And, really, it is exactly the same in life.

I highly recommend buying this book (it is a joy to hold and a wonderful addition to any home library) and, of course, reading it. It offers answers to many questions, including those that are deeply relevant to all adults.

My mother brought me the book, saying that this story would touch everyone. Without a second thought, I decided to read it... This work gives you the opportunity to return to childhood, to remember how to rejoice in the little things, how to dream, and, most importantly, to believe that dreams come true. Love is the one word that has stayed with me since finishing this book. Love for our parents, love for the world, love for ourselves. It is very important to read this book with children; it addresses many of the questions that weigh heavily on a child's mind. But for adults, it is far more than just a book; it is a source of reflection that touches the heart and soul. The story of such a little, yet so strong, girl will make you reflect on yourself and embark on an emotional journey. Tears flowed as I read, because this story is so close to my heart. Just as my mother said, this book touched me to the core. I will read it again and again, both to my children and to my grandchildren. It teaches life. It teaches love.

With deep gratitude to the author, Anna Kolesnikova.

I first encountered the book when its very birth was still in the future... I didn't know the details, wasn't expecting anything, yet somehow I never forgot about it! We found each other during a difficult period in life, and no, it wasn't the standard set of problems of a modern person — it was worse... I was losing myself! "Knock on My Heart"... And that is exactly what happened! Knock-knock! With every single line. And my heart opened up!!! Through tears and goosebumps... Through a smile and the warmth between the lines!

This is a fairy tale... one that anyone can let into their life!

This is the "bible" of the 21st century! A. Kolesnikova's book should be in every home, in every heart! Melting away the buildup of evil, pain, and despair, and opening the soul to what is bright: love, happiness, faith, and hope!

Don't waste time, start with the miracle within yourself! And don't forget about the little ones! This book is for children, yet it opens the door to a path of goodness for everyone! The author has given us a gift — don't miss this opportunity! Thank you to the moon and back!

I am lucky to know the author, Anna Kolesnikova, and was truly blessed to hear this book from her own lips. To say I was captivated would be an understatement; we laughed and wept as we went through chapter after chapter. It was a difficult year for me, a year when, as a grown woman and a mother myself, I lost my father forever... You don't have to be a child to understand its message... This book is ageless; it is needed and essential for every family, serving as a guide to preserving healthy relationships and peace. I read this book aloud to my daughter and my elderly mother, and it touched each of their hearts deeply. I know that my daughter will read it to her children, and my mother to all her grandchildren, and this book will live on in our family for generations to come... I simply know that Anna Kolesnikova is a mother not only to her own children, but to all the children on Earth, and so we wait with bated breath for more.

Another wonderful book has emerged for family reading. It is Anna Georgievna Kolesnikova's novella, "Knock on My Heart". The events of the book take place in Moscow (though they could just as easily unfold in any other city) just before and after Christmas, and at the heart of it all is the young girl who narrates the story. The book is made up of eight stories that essentially stand alone as individual works, all connected by the main character. The story begins with the girl's father disappearing, seemingly bringing the happy life of their close-knit family to an end. But a child always believes that a miracle will happen (especially on Christmas Eve) and that everything will go back to the way it was. You just have to believe in it very, very much. Miracles follow our heroine everywhere: at the orphanage, where she goes with her godmother and finds new friends; and at the circus, where she goes with her grandmother and receives a magical flower as a gift—one that can grant the most cherished of wishes. The girl's feelings and actions are both wonderful and deeply relatable. There is sheer delight over the gift from her father—a Dalmatian puppy. There are worries about the arrival of a baby sister and the fear that all of Mom's love will go to her. There is an incredible conversation with a guardian angel, who helps the heroine find herself again. And there is her desire to bring happiness and love to others. Her poem-messages are so naive, yet at the same time so sincere and kind.

This book is incredibly bright, kind, and sincere. I truly hope that parents will sit down with their children and read it together. Perhaps then there will be fewer misunderstandings between parents and children. And we will all be certain that miracles do happen—you just have to believe in them! Thank you so much for such a kind and heartwarming book! I wish the author continued creative success and hope that many more such books will flow from Anna Georgievna's pen!

This book should be in every home! I am endlessly happy to be surrounded by such incredibly talented people. I remember those days when Anya (Anna Kolesnikova) and I would sit on the balcony, and every day she would read me a chapter... those words didn't just reach my ears; they touched my heart and penetrated the very core of my soul! I am thrilled to share with you that the ending of the book came to life right before my eyes—I was one of its very first listeners... It is pure magic! I love you, Anya. Wishing your wonderful family strong health, love, joy, well-being, and heavenly blessings!

A wonderful book! It feels as though I lived the heroine's life. There is so much soul in it that reading it gave me goosebumps. I cried! And I cried because I understand that this is life, and that is just how it is... I am a mother of two, and it would be a sin not to read this book to my children, for it speaks of sincerity, the value of life, and love. I could say so much more, but this book simply must be read. It will greatly benefit children; there are so many valuable lessons and so much to reflect upon. Thank you so much to the Author for such a masterpiece. I eagerly await more books from her. There is truly so much for us adults to learn as well. 👏👏👏

I think any of us would give anything to return to childhood, even just for a day. To feel the joy of simple yet profoundly important things that we adults often overlook. Anna Kolesnikova's book "Knock on My Heart" is a story that transports you into the world of childhood joys and emotions. It is a book that opens our hearts to kindness and love, reminding us of what is most precious in life: family. This story will leave no one indifferent; everyone will find something deeply personal and meaningful within its pages. I must also mention the wonderful illustrations, which add a special charm to this incredibly warm and absolutely magical book!

Boys and girls, and their parents too—I envy you, because you are about to read the magical book "Knock on My Heart" for the very first time, complete with stunning, fairy-tale illustrations. This book has one unique quality: it brings generations of a family closer together. Children experience all the twists and turns of the story alongside its little, yet resilient heroine. For adults, this book becomes a journey into memories, making them relive those moments, understand their own actions and their consequences, first and foremost for themselves—after all, understanding oneself is the hardest thing in the world.

Such an intelligent, psychologically nuanced book, woven with complex human relationships, could only have been written by a woman who has lived through both great pain and great beauty, who has found balance and attained true wisdom.

Dear Anna, my family and I eagerly await your new books. We will read them all together, and then recall stories from our own lives—talking and talking, crying and laughing, and then talking some more. How important it is for a family to learn to truly hear one another: for adults to listen to their children, and for children to heed the words of their moms and dads, grandmothers and grandfathers. Thank you for this gift. Wishing you every success, dear Anna!

And as for us, your readers, we will have patience. We will be waiting for your new wise, slightly melancholy, yet life-affirming books for every generation of the family.

A children's book with profound meaning—I would call it a truly soulful book, filled with so much warmth and kindness. It is a captivating read that you finish in one sitting. Thank you for this story; it teaches not only children, but adults as well, to love and do good.🙏🏻

I read Anna Georgievna Kolesnikova's book to my youngest daughter for several evenings in a row. It is an incredibly kind book, and "Knock on My Heart" is a perfectly fitting title. My little one listened with bated breath. She is still too young to fully grasp the spiritual growth of the protagonist, but the character created by the author completely captivated and enchanted her. Sadly, today we see fewer and fewer books on store shelves whose authors strive to understand the complex world of a child, doing so in such an engaging and mesmerizingly accurate way as Anna Kolesnikova has. The poetic inner world of a little girl, surrounded by a complex yet welcoming adult world, is revealed by the author with surprising delicacy. In a way, this book serves as a guide for young parents on how to recognize, nurture, and preserve the tender sprouts of spirituality in their children's souls.

The exceptional publishing quality of this book is also a pleasant surprise. The beautiful illustrations, thoughtful typography, and careful attention to design elements all speak to the author's involvement at every stage of the publishing process. And that is truly invaluable. In the end, we hold in our hands a true work of art: literary, visual, and editorial... The effort has truly paid off, bringing genuine joy to its readers. Thank you, dear author!

"KNOCK ON MY HEART" is the confession of a little girl searching for her father. The plot unfolds gradually, revealing the pain and hope of a child certain that one day she will be reunited with her beloved. A person with whom she is in constant dialogue. Her father appears to her not only in her dreams but also in waking life.

The author of the story uses an unusual literary form of narration, delving into the psychological state of the protagonist, which captures the reader's attention from the very first pages and keeps them in suspense until the end of the book. We have forgotten our traditions of parents reading wonderful fairy tales at bedtime. These pages of the book make us recall the sweet moments of our childhood, so vastly different from the technological gimmicks of modern gadgets and mobile phones. The connection between parents and children is being lost. The author's voice rings out like a warning bell, urging us to return to the child's anxieties and help them through the difficult moments of growing up.

Unobtrusively and subtly, the author reveals the moral aspects of upbringing, which are easily seen in the relationships of three generations: the grandmother, the mother, and the girl, who never ceases to cherish the hope of meeting her missing father.

The relevance of this book, which raises important questions about upbringing, is especially crucial today, as the soulless mass culture of the USA fills the hearts not only of adults but also of young children.

The book can serve as an educational guide, against which parents can check the moral compass of raising a child. The great Russian psychologist Ivan Alekseevich Sikorsky once wrote: "How important it is to be sensitive to everything that concerns childhood."

We are confident that the author will succeed in "knocking on the heart" of everyone who picks up this book.

We wish Anna Kolesnikova the same inspiration that she managed to breathe into the soul of a child as she continues her mature literary work on the path to great achievements.

Anna Georgievna, this is a wonderful book, and you absolutely must continue writing for children. But it is also an incredibly meaningful and touching read for adults. I myself read it with great pleasure. Such profound philosophical thoughts, yet expressed in such an accessible way. "The Fourth Story" is especially important—the one about losing yourself! This summer, we will be reading it to my niece at our country house.

The captivating language and storytelling come straight from the very depths of the author's big heart. This book should be read by the whole family together, discussed, asking questions, and seeking answers in dialogue with children. It is important for parents to read this book in time, so they can remember and never forget what it means to be a child, how a child's perception works, so they can correct past parenting mistakes in time and avoid making them in the future. Read, imagine. Live through this story — it was written with love.

This book is a GUIDE TO KINDNESS FOR EVERYONE!!! Thank you so much for this book.

Dear Anna Georgievna! Thank you so much for this marvelous book. The beautiful, exceptionally talented design instantly wins your heart, making you want to open it and start reading right away. The text is so heartwarming and flows effortlessly. I couldn't put it down until I had read it to the very end. It is a resounding success! Congratulations!

Dear Anna Georgievna! I want to express my gratitude to you, my fellow countrywoman, for the wonderful work "Knock on My Heart..."

The title itself tells us that we must open our hearts to something important, something essential... Sometimes, in the pursuit of earning a living and getting everything done we planned for the day, we fail to give due attention to our children's souls, to our attitude towards other people... After all, our children empathize with us, and in doing so, they sometimes grow up and change faster than their age would dictate!

I believe that parents who read this book will see that although our children are small, their souls ache and they share our worries! And they need our love and support!

For teachers, reading this book in class together with the children will help touch upon the themes of mercy, kindness, and love, the ability to see others' problems and empathize with them, and perhaps someone will open their heart and soul to ask for help and cope with their pain!

It does not matter who you are — a teacher, a mother, a father, a grandmother, a grandfather, an aunt, an uncle, or a godmother — make sure to read the book "Knock on My Heart..." yourself and together with your child! You will surely have something to reflect on!

Anna Georgievna, I wish you creative success and an ocean of inspiration for creating new stories!