Combel Marks the International Day of Living Together in Peace

Stories about empathy, diversity and community for readers of all ages

On the International Day of Living Together in Peace, we celebrate stories that explore one of the most universal experiences: learning how to live with others. Across picture books, non-fiction and internationally successful graphic novel series, Combel’s catalogue offers titles where humour, difference, cooperation and empathy become part of everyday life.

Jaume Copons’ All I Know About the People, illustrated by Guridi, invites young readers to reflect on human diversity through humour, curiosity and everyday observation. Through playful questions and short reflections, the book explores habits, physical differences, emotions and ways of living, encouraging conversation and shared reading. At its heart lies a simple but powerful idea: if everyone is different, then difference is the one thing we all share.

In the Horse collection, created to support early reading, we find three picture books that gently turn reading into an experience of community, understanding and coexistence.

In Oh! Oh! The Ball! by Elisenda Roca, illustrated by Rocio Bonilla, a simple incident — a ball stuck in a tree — quickly turns into a shared mission, as neighbours come together, each helping in their own way. Everyday life becomes a small but meaningful exercise in cooperation, where every gesture counts.

A Family Portrait by Lluís Farré introduces a large family made up of monsters and mythical beings. Each member comes from a different imaginary world, yet they all live together in harmony. Despite their differences, they share a common bond, showing how diversity can be a source of unity and acceptance.

And in Turn the Turtle! by Susana Isern, illustrated by Pep Montserrat, things quite literally get turned upside down: Turtle has flipped over and can’t get her feet back on the ground. Her friends rush in and push with all their strength to help her… but will they manage to turn her over? A playful, suspense-filled story about teamwork, effort and the power of helping each other.

Combel’s non-fiction titles also explore diversity and our relationship with the world around us. In We Are Family and We Are Different, Cristina Junyent and Cristina Losantos guide readers through the origins of life on Earth, human evolution and the ways people have adapted to different environments across the planet. Combining science, history and accessible visual explanations, the books show how all humans share a common origin while also celebrating the diversity shaped by geography, climate and culture.

In the bestselling Bitmax & Co. series by Jaume Copons and Liliana Fortuny, cooperation lies at the heart of the Blue Forest. Set in a lively and diverse community, the stories revolve around everyday conflicts that can only be solved collectively.

With the help of Bitmax, the forest’s kind and resourceful helper, Superpig discovers that his true superpower lies in hugs and affection rather than strength, while in The Ants’ War, a dispute over a piece of candy escalates into a conflict that becomes a thoughtful reflection on dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

In its reflection on war, Combel’s recent adaptation of The Iliad by Pau Sabaté, illustrated by Arnal Balletster,revisits coexistence from a contemporary perspective. Beyond the epic battles, the story highlights moments of empathy and recognition between enemies who share the same fragility, grief and desire for peace.

Across formats and age ranges, these stories remind us that living together is something built every day through compassion, humour, curiosity and a shared sense of understanding.