One of a Kind: The Life of Sydney Taylor
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🕮 Sydney Taylor was the first author to write kids books that served as windows into Jewish life, not just mirrors. Her All-of-a-Kind Family series was game changing. These were the first books about Jewish characters to become popular with readers of all backgrounds, and they are still popular today.
Jo Taylor Marshall, Sydney's daughter, sponsors the Sydney Taylor Book Awards that recognize the best Jewish kidlit each year. And now, Richard Michelson has written a picture book biography of Sydney Taylor. It's called One of a Kind. I spoke with both of them at the 2024 Association of Jewish Libraries conference in San Diego, where we were celebrating the 120th birthday of Sydney Taylor.
If you'd like to hear more from Jo after listening to this podcast, you're in luck! I recorded an oral history with her for the Association of Jewish Libraries.
And don't forget to subscribe to my new newsletter on Substack to join my community of Jewish kidlit fans. Get show notes, transcripts, Jewish kidlit news, and occasional calls to action right in your inbox!
LEARN MORE:
- Buy / borrow One of a Kind: The Life of Sydney Taylor by Richard Michelson
- Richard Michelson's website and art gallery
- Rich’s Book of Life Podcast appearances:
o 2007 - Across the Alley
o 2009 - As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr & Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March Toward Freedom
o 2009 - Planet Esme
o 2016 - Fascinating: The Life of Leonard Nimoy
o 2017 - The Language of Angels: A Story About the Reinvention of Hebrew - Oral history with Jo Taylor Marshall
- The "All-of-a-Kind Family Companion" from the Association of Jewish Libraries
- The Sydney Taylor Book Awards
- The Sydney Taylor Shmooze mock award blog
- The Book of Life Podcast Substack Newsletter
- 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
- Newsletter: bookoflifepodcast.substack.com
- Facebook Discussion Group: Jewish Kidlit Mavens
- Facebook Page: Facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast
- Instagram: @bookoflifepodcast
- Twitter: @bookoflifepod
- Support the Podcast: Shop or Donate
Your feedback is welcome! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at 561-206-2473.
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