The Book of Life

Jewish kidlit can save the world. That's why The Book of Life has a new Facebook group, "Jewish Kidlit Mavens," where we can save the world together. This is a space for Jewish kidlit professionals (the kidlit is Jewish; the professionals may or may not be) to discuss books from early childhood through middle grade and young adult. Members may include librarians, teachers, publishers, authors, illustrators, agents, booksellers, book bloggers, reviewers, etc. Join the group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/JewishKidlitMavens/ . Let's schmooze!

The Highlights Foundation symposium " Beyond the Holocaust and Holidays: Who Are We and What Are We Writing? " asked these questions: What stories do today’s children need from Jewish book creators and about Jewish people? What stories speak to our varied experiences? And how can we diversify the existing body of Jewish children’s literature? Participants gathered to explore where Jewish novelists fit in the business of writing for children and teens. "Beyond the Holocaust" was featured on The Book of Life in January 2019 when we recorded a panel discussion among several of the presenters. The workshop was held in March 2019, and I invited organizer Linda Epstein to reflect on how it went. LINDA EPSTEIN   "We can literally make the world a better place one book at a time." Rather than being structured as a weekend where the faculty were teaching the students principles or concepts relative to writing Jewish children’s literature, the weeke...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     🕮     Highlights Magazine was a staple of waiting rooms when I was a kid. I loved to read the stories and solve the puzzles, and I always looked for The Timbertoes comics. Today, Highlights is still going strong with magazines for children of all ages and a strong digital presence . There is also a Highlights Foundation , which sponsors workshops to help authors and illustrators hone their craft. "Beyond the Holocaust and Holidays: Who Are We and What Are We Writing?" is a symposium for Jewish children's literature, welcoming novelists and publishing professionals to Honesdale, PA, March 15-18, 2019. ( Click here for info on scholarships .) A stellar faculty will lead discussions on issues both practical and philosophical. For this episode of The Book of Life, we've gathered four of those faculty members for our own discussion: Adam Gidwitz , author of The Inquisitor's Tale , the Grimm series of books and podcasts, and The ...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST    |    BUY THE BOOK     🕮    April Halprin Wayland's new picture book is More Than Enough: A Passover Story . April won the 2010 Sydney Taylor Book Award for New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story . Here is my 2009 interview with her about New Year at the Pier. Our wide-ranging conversation touched upon so many interesting resources that I've compiled a list of links for you here. You'll understand after you listen to the podcast! April Halprin Wayland's website More Than Enough : A Passover Story  New Year at the Pier : A Rosh Hashanah Story The Book of Life's 2009 interview with April about New Year at the Pier Wait by Antoinette Portis Teaching Authors National Poetry Month Firefly July : A Year of Very Short Poems by Paul B. Janeczko All the Small Poems by Valerie Worth The Poetry Friday Anthology by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong Poetry for Children - Sylvia Vardell's blog...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST    |    BUY THE BOOK     🕮    The Yiddish Fish is a quirky picture book by author/illustrator Santiago Cohen , based on a true story from the New York Times, " Miracle? Dream? Prank? Fish Talks, Town Buzzes ."   CREDITS: Produced by: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel   Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries     Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band     Facebook: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast    Twitter: @bookoflifepod   Support The Book of Life by becoming a patron at Patreon.com/bookoflife ! Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or call our voicemail number at 561-206-2473.

The Sydney Taylor Book Award will be celebrating and showcasing its 2014 gold and silver medalists with a Blog Tour, February 16-20, 2014! Interviews with winning authors and illustrators will appear on a wide variety of Jewish and kidlit blogs. For those of you who have not yet experienced a Blog Tour, it’s basically a virtual book tour. Instead of going to a library or bookstore to see an author or illustrator speak, you go to a website on or after the advertised date to read an author’s or illustrator’s interview.  Below is the schedule for the 2014 Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour. Please follow the links to visit the hosting blogs on or after their tour dates, and be sure to leave them plenty of comments! SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2014 Renee Londner , author of Stones for Grandpa Sydney Taylor Honor Award winner in the Younger Readers Category At The Write Stuff Martha Aviles , illustrator of Stones for Grandpa Sydney Taylor Honor Award winner in the Youn...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST    |    BUY THE BOOK     🕮    An interview with author Linda Glaser and illustrator Adam Gustavson , creators of the picture book Hannah's Way which won the 2013 Sydney Taylor Book Award in the Younger Readers Category. After Papa loses his job during the Depression, Hannah’s family moves to rural Minnesota, where she is the only Jewish child in her class. When her teacher tries to arrange carpools for a Saturday class picnic, Hannah is upset. Her Jewish family is observant, and she knows she cannot ride on the Sabbath. What will she do? A lovely story of friendship and community. UPCOMING PROJECTS FOR LINDA AND ADAM:  Bim! Sings the Baby by Linda Glaser Charlie Bumpers vs. the Teacher of the Year , illustrated by Adam Gustavson CREDITS: Produced by: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel   Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries ...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST    |   BUY THE WOODEN SWORD / HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TREE     🕮    The publisher Albert Whitman & Company comes out with a Jewish picture book or two almost every year. Here's a show-floor interview from the 2012 American Library Association conference with Marketing Director Michelle Bayuk about two of their recent Jewish-interest picture books:   The Wooden Sword: a Jewish folktale from Afghanistan by Ann Redisch Stampler (which has since won a 2013 Sydney Taylor Honor Award in the Older Readers category) Happy Birthday, Tree: A Tu B'shevat Story by Madelyn Rosenberg (also author of The Schmutzy Family , a 2013 AJL Notable Book for Younger Readers) CREDITS: Produced by: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel   Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries   Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band   Facebook: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST    |    BUY THE BOOK      🕮    At the ALA conference in 2012, I interviewed the folks at Holiday House about the hilarious Shabbat picture book, The Schmutzy Family by Madelyn Rosenberg . This family embraces the messiness of life, but also knows the peace of orderliness. CREDITS: Produced by: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel   Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries   Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band   Facebook: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast  Twitter: @bookoflifepod   Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or call our voicemail number at 561-206-2473.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST    |    BUY THE BOOK     🕮    The Book of Life's Canadian correspondent, Anne Dublin , interviews author Kathy Kacer about the compilation of children's responses to the Holocaust entitled We Are Their Voice . CREDITS:  Produced by: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band  Facebook: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast Twitter: @bookoflifepod Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or call our voicemail number at 561-206-2473.  

Read an interview with Linda Glaser, author of Hannah's Way (Sydney Taylor Book Award in the Younger Readers Category) at This Messy Life ! A highlight: "This is a story about staying true to one’s traditions but still wanting to “belong.” It’s also a story about ordinary children who, through a simple act of kindness, become heroes. I hope that with the help of the Sydney Taylor Award, Hannah’s Way will reach many more kids and will do its small part to encourage tolerance, acceptance, and kindness." Read an interview with Adam Gustavson, illustrator of Hannah's Way (Sydney Taylor Book Award in the Younger Readers Category) at Here in HP ! A highlight: "I’ve always drawn; my mother was an artist when I was growing up, and my brothers and I drew like most other kids would play ball. It was a big part of how we played together. My father, an engineer, used to come home with art supplies he’d picked up for us on his way home from work. I grew up in...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST    |    BUY THE BOOK     🕮    Co-authors Debby Waldman and Rita Feutl interview each other about their picture book, Room Enough for Daisy , a modern story based on the old Jewish folktale about the crowded house. CREDITS: Produced by: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band Facebook: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast Twitter: @bookoflifepod Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or call our voicemail number at 561-206-2473 .

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST    |    BUY THE BOOK     🕮    Author Ann Koffsky talks about her newest picture book, Noah's Swim-a-thon , about lifeguarding at camp, and about the nutty things adults say to get kids to put their faces in the water. CREDITS: Produced by: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band Facebook: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast Twitter: @bookoflifepod   Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or call our voicemail number at 561-206-2473.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     |    BUY THE BOOK     🕮    A double dip of interviews with Rona Arato , author of Mrs. Kaputnik's Pool Hall & Matzo Ball Emporium : Heidi interviews Rona at Book Expo America The Book of Life's Canadian Correspondent Anne Dublin interviews Rona at home in Toronto CREDITS: Produced by: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band Facebook: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast Twitter: @bookoflifepod   Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or call our voicemail number at 561-206-2473.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     |    BUY THE BOOK     🕮    Author Lesley Simpson offered to interview herself, and I couldn't pass that up! She talks about Yuvi's Candy Tree (Kar-Ben, 2011), a picture book on Ethiopian Jews fleeing to Israel based on the true story of Yuvi Tashome. With its strong Exodus themes, it makes a great tie-in to Passover; it's also a universal immigration story and a good illustration of the diversity of the Jewish family. CREDITS: Produced by: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band Facebook: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast Twitter: @bookoflifepod   Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or call our voicemail number at 561-206-2473.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     |    BUY THE BOOK     🕮    I still have a number of interviews from Book Expo America 2010 in the queue, but I decided to post the interview with Debbie Levy today because it is her birthday! Thanks to Facebook for letting me know. Happy Birthday, Debbie! I met Debbie Levy and her mother Jutta at Book Expo America 2010, where we sat down in the cafe for an interview. Debbie is the author and Jutta is the subject of The Year of Goodbyes: A True Story of Friendship, Family and Farewells , based on Jutta's poesiealbum from the 1940's. A poesiealbum is a poetry album or autograph album, in which friends write each other little notes and poems. Debbie was touched by the writings of her mother as a young girl, and her mother's friends. To encourage readers to experience the poesiealbum tradition, she has created a participatory blog where people can submit their own entries to an online poesiealbum at ...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST     🕮    Recent and forthcoming children's and teen books of Jewish interest discovered at Book Expo America 2010 in NYC! Cry of the Giraffe by Judie Oron, Annick Press Hanukkah puzzles, and One Red Apple by Harriet Ziefert, Blue Apple Books Annexed by Sharon Dogar, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Rooster Prince of Breslov by Anne Redisch Stampler, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Journey That Saved Curious George by Louise Borden (reprint), Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Grand Mosque of Paris by Karen Gray Ruelle, Holiday House The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah by Leslie Kimmelman, Holiday House The Story of Esther, A Purim Tale by Eric Kimmel, Holiday House (spring 2011) Cakes and Miracles: A Purim Tale by Barbara Diamond Goldin (reissue, new illustrations), Marshall Cavendish Restitution by Kathy Kacer, Second Story Press A Chanukah Noel by Sharon Jennings, Second Story Press Teaching guides for Holocaust...

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST    |    BUY KATHY KACER'S BOOKS     🕮    The Book of Life's Canadian Correspondant, Anne Dublin , interviews author Kathy Kacer . Kathy has written many, many Holocaust novels for young people, including The Diary of Laura's Twin , which won a National Jewish Book Award and a Canadian Jewish Book Award. For the impressive list of Kathy's works, click here . CREDITS: Produced by: Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel Supported in part by: Association of Jewish Libraries Theme music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band Facebook fan page: facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast Twitter: @bookoflifepod   Your feedback is appreciated! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or call our voicemail number at 561-206-2473.

I've just added a new site to my list of Links (see the right-hand sidebar on The Book of Life blog) and I wanted to make sure you noticed it. The site is The Whole Megillah: The Writer's Resource for Jewish-themed Children's Books at thewholemegillah.wordpress.com . There are few blogs that focus on Jewish kidlit, and as far as I know, this is the first that emphasizes the perspective of authors rather than readers. Blogger Barbara Krasner is well-known in the Jewish kidlit world as the force behind the annual Jewish Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Conference, held until recently at New York's 92nd Street Y, so she's definitely in the know. I'm excited about The Whole Megillah (and I love the name)! Welcome to the blogosphere, Barbara!

I thought it would be seasonally appropriate to share with you the starred review I wrote about The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah for School Library Journa l. This is a delightful new Passover story, that I used successfully with several Kindergarten and first grade classes in our religious school recently. For more info about author Leslie Kimmelman and her books, see www.lesliekimmelman.net . KIMMELMAN, Leslie . The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah . illus. by Paul Meisel. unpaged. glossary. CIP. Holiday House . Mar. 2010. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-1952-4 . LC 2008048488. PreS-Gr 3— This Yiddish-inflected retelling of "The Little Ren Hen" features a balabusta (good homemaker) who kvetches about her lazy no-goodnik friends who will not help her make matzah from wheat. When they show up at the Passover Seder, the hen scolds, "What chutzpah!" Ultimately, however, they repent and the hen forgives them because she is a mensch. All ends ha...