The Book of Life

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     |    READ THE TRANSCRIPT     |    SUPPORT ARTISTS AGAINST ANTISEMITISM     🕮    Artists Against Antisemitism is a new organization formed to give creatives of all kinds a way to fight hate. Their very first action is to hold an auction, happening December 15-22, 2023. The auction will benefit Project Shema, which trains and supports the Jewish community and allies to understand and address contemporary antisemitism, especially on college campuses. Debbie Reed Fischer, one of the founding members of Artists Against Antisemitism, joined me to talk about the organization and the auction. LEARN MORE: Bid in the auction: bit.ly/KeepTheLightGoing23 TheArtistsAgainstAntisemitism.com ProjectShema.org Debbie Reed Fischer's website CREDITS: Produced by Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel Co-sponsored by the Association of Jewish Libraries Sister podcast: ...

Jewish Book Month takes place during the 30 days leading up to Hanukkah, which this year began on December 7, 2023. Because we are all in dire need of some Jewish joy right now, I posted on social media about  books that brings me #JewishJoy each day from November 7 all the way to the end of Hanukkah on December 15. Here are all the titles I included. Each title is linked to a past interview, book review, or other information about the book. November 7, 2023 A HAT FOR MRS GOLDMAN by Michelle Edwards, a literally warm and fuzzy picture book about little Sophia who learns to knit from her beloved Jewish neighbor.    November 8, 2023 THE JAKE SHOW by Joshua S. Levy, a hilarious middle grade novel about a boy with a duel Jewish identity and his determination to attend summer camp in secret.  November 9, 2023 WHEN THE ANGELS LEFT THE OLD COUNTRY by Sacha Lamb, a delightful Jewish YA twist on Good Omens.    November 10, 2023 THIS IS MY SHABBAT by Chris ...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     |    READ THE TRANSCRIPT     |    PURCHASE OR BORROW THE BOOK     🕮    In September 2023, I zoomed with Elissa Brent Weissman from across the world, to record an interview about her new picture book, Hanukkah Upside Down . It's the story of a cousin in New York and a cousin in New Zealand, and how they connect during this wintertime AND summertime holiday.  LEARN MORE: Elissa Brent Weissman's website Illustrator Omer Hoffman's website BONUS HANUKKAH FUN: #JewishJoy posts Interview: The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming  Hanukkah Book Bingo Love Your Neighbor series Hanukkah booklist CREDITS: Produced by Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel Co-sponsored by the Association of Jewish Libraries Sister podcast: Nice Jewish Books Theme Music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band Facebook Discussion Group: Jewish Kidlit Mavens Facebook P...

BUY THE BOOK AND/OR THE MUG   The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Lisa Brown, was published by McSweeney's in 2007, and is being reissued this year along with a latke-embellished color-changing mug. This sardonic story tickles my funny bone every time, so I am celebrating its return by interviewing illustrator Lisa Brown and author Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket). Enjoy, and Happy Hanukkah! LISA BROWN'S WEBSITE    |    LEMONY SNICKET'S WEBSITE    |    DANIEL HANDLER'S WEBSITE   Heidi: I'm so excited about the re-release of The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming! How did this come about? Why now, 16 years later? Lisa: Even though we have been getting regular requests for the book over the years, we thought that our Latke’s time had come and gone. But then a group of benefactors, including the Seldin/Haring-Smith Foundation, who clearly couldn't live without it, approached McSw...