Sacha Baron Cohen Backs New Children’s Book Tackling Antisemitism, “Silence Is Never the Answer”

Sacha Baron Cohen has endorsed a forthcoming children’s book, Don’t Feed the Lion, calling it “fierce and necessary” for addressing antisemitism in an age-appropriate way. Set for release on November 11, 2025, by Arcadia Children’s Books, the middle-grade novel by CNN’s Bianna Golodryga and Israeli news anchor Yonit Levi follows three Chicago schoolmates confronting bullying and prejudice after a swastika is found on a school locker and a soccer star makes anti-Semitic remarks. Cohen, in a statement to TheWrap, said, “When hatred is dressed up as opinion, we need stories that teach kids the difference. ‘Don’t Feed the Lion’ is a fierce and necessary reminder that silence is never the answer.”

Aimed at readers aged 8-12, the book fills a gap in children’s literature, as the authors noted: “When visiting libraries and bookstores in search of books about antisemitism that speak directly to young readers, we were surprised to find very few options available.” They added, “With the sharp rise in explicit antisemitism and hate around the world, our goal was to write a book for all readers who want to feel less alone in their identity, and for those who want to stand up against bias and discrimination with empathy and awareness.” Golodryga, an Emmy-winning senior global affairs analyst for CNN, co-anchors One World, while Levi has anchored Channel 12’s primetime news for over 20 years and co-hosts Unholy: Two Jews on the News.

Cohen’s support reflects his activism since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,189 and abducted 251. He joined a 2023 Writers Guild letter with Jerry Seinfeld, condemning the union’s silence: “The crimes committed on October 7th were simple and cruel. If we cannot stand up to call it what it is, a monstrous act of barbarity, then we have lost the plot.” He also confronted TikTok executives in November 2023, stating their platform was “creating the biggest antisemitic movement since the Nazis.” With 920 anti-Jewish hate crimes in Canada alone in 2024, per Statistics Canada, the book’s release is timely. Social media on X praised the effort, with one user noting, “Teaching kids to fight hate early is crucial, kudos to Cohen and the authors.” Pre-orders are available nationwide.