I WISH THAT YOU KNEW
Written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Illustrated by Alyssa Russell
(Little Bee Books; $19.99, Ages 4-8)
I’m thrilled to share this moving and meaningful guest post by author Rebecca Gardyn Levington.
DESCRIPTION:
A child reflects on all the fun things she used to do with her grandmother, like baking challah, growing tulips, walking on the beach, and sharing jokes. Told against the backdrop of a Jewish unveiling ceremony, which takes place around the first anniversary of a loved one’s passing, this is a story about the imprints that the people we love leave upon our hearts long after they are gone.
This heartfelt picture book is about honoring those we have lost by remembering the happiness, comfort, and wisdom they brought into our lives.
INTRO:
Thank you, Ronna, for allowing me to guest post today!
I’m very excited to share my latest picture book, which is easily the one that is closest to my heart. It is called I WISH THAT YOU KNEW, illustrated by the incredible Alyssa Russell, and will be published on Aug. 25th by Little Bee Books.
POST:
Here’s a little about the book:
I WISH THAT YOU KNEW is a picture book about a child reflecting upon a special relationship she cherished with her supportive and fun-loving grandmother, who recently passed away. The story takes place during the grandmother’s unveiling ceremony, on the first yahrzeit, or
anniversary, of her death, offering readers a glimpse into this Jewish tradition. It is here, after a year of mourning, that the child is finally able to let go of some of her sadness and celebrate the many moments of joy that they shared.
As I said, this book is pretty personal. My inspiration was Grandma Charlotte, my Gram, who had truly been my best friend. So much of what I love and who I am is a result of my relationship with her. Her unconditional support, positive energy, and wise tough-love advice over the years have, without question, shaped how I view the world and myself in it. Gram passed away in 2013, and around the 10-year anniversary of her death, I was missing her terribly and was thinking about how much had happened since she died. She never got to see my two sons grow up or see me reinvent myself as a children’s book author and poet. She never got to read any of my books. And so, I did what I do. I wrote a poem. For her. And for me. I never initially intended this poem to become anything other than a way for me to process my grief, but as I continued to write and revise, I felt like there was a more universal story coming through me that might help others cope with their own losses.
When my editor, Jaime Gelman at Little Bee Books, initially reached out with interest, she said she thought it was beautifully written and she’d “always wanted an unveiling story” (who knew?!), but she said that, as written, it was a bit too sentimental. She thought that perhaps I was too close to the story (which I was, of course) and asked if I would be willing to revise in such a way as to create some distance between myself and the characters. Jaime also asked me this vital question: “How does participating in the unveiling ceremony specifically help this child process her grief?” Initially, I had used the unveiling purely as a backdrop, but pondering Jaime’s question led me down a rabbit hole of research and understanding about why the unveiling ritual exists in the Jewish tradition.
For those who are not familiar, the unveiling ceremony is when, a year after one’s death, a permanent grave marker is placed at the gravesite. It is called an “unveiling” because as part of the ceremony, the grave marker is initially covered with a veil or cloth, and the person leading the ceremony (often a rabbi) “unveils” it to the loved one’s family and friends for the first time. In my research, I learned that one of the reasons we wait an entire year before erecting the grave marker is to give us time to get used to our grief, to “practice” living without our loved one, before we make it feel permanent with a marker. So, in the story, I revised it so that not only is the child reminiscing about all the things she loved doing with her grandmother and all the ways she now misses her, but she is also realizing that the passage of time has been a gift because it has given her time and distance from the shock of the loss and only now, a year later, is finally ready to start moving forward. She says: “It’s time to let go of some of the sad/and celebrate moments of joy that we had.” Notice that I used the word “some” because she likely will never, of course, lose the sadness of her loss, but the gift of time offers her the ability to let go of “some” of it, while still holding on to all of the joy.
Leaning more into the reasons for the unveiling also helped me create some distance from the characters because my own family, for various reasons, never actually held an unveiling ceremony for my Gram. By thinking about how my character’s participation in the ceremony helped her process her loss, I was able to more easily separate myself from the child’s emotions and could tell her story, rather than my own. Of course, there are still many moments in the book that still very much mirror my relationship with my Gram. And these lines, from the original poem I wrote her, never changed: e
I want you to know I keep you with me. Your love has helped shape who I am and will be.
e
I’m enormously grateful to my editor for pushing me and asking all the right questions so that this book could become exactly what it needed to be.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post, and thank you, Ronna, for having me on the blog.
Author Rebecca Gardyn Levington Photo Credit: Joy Yagid
BIO:
Rebecca Gardyn Levington is an award-winning children’s book author, poet, and journalist with a particular penchant for penning both playful and poignant picture books and poems – primarily in rhyme. She is the author of 18 books for children, including FINDING FORGIVENESS (a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable and PJ Library selection), WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (a SCBWI Crystal Kite Honor winner and Northern Lights Book Award winner, which has been translated into 11 languages), AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? (a PJ Library selection which was named one of the best holiday books of the year by both School Library Journal and the Association of Jewish Libraries), SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND (a 2026 Children’s Book Council Librarian Favorite and a 2026 Children’s Literature Assembly Notable), and BRAINSTORM! (a Pennsylvania Readers’ Choice Award winner). Rebecca’s poems and articles have appeared in numerous anthologies, newspapers, and magazines. She lives with her family in Summit, NJ, where she enjoys bouncing on a mini-trampoline, playing Mah Jongg, and eating chocolate-peanut butter ice cream (although not usually at the same time!). Find out more and sign up for Rebecca’s monthly newsletter at www.RebeccaGardynLevington.com.
Written by Maritere R. Bellas Illustrated by Jayri Gómez
(Lil’ Libros; $19.99, Ages 4-8)
Publisher Description:
“… This heartwarming English-Spanish story shows that speaking two languages is powerful and you don’t need a cape to be a hero.”
Review:
This is a WAY overdue post ofTío Ricky Doesn’t Speak English/Tío Ricky no habla inglés, written by Maritere R. Bellas and illustrated by Jayri Gómez, a picture book so well crafted that I wish I’d been able to review last year. The good news is that I’ve reread it, and once again, Bellas’s characters still jumped off the pages into my heart. Not only do I enjoy bilingual books, but I also love learning something new. In this case, the not-uncommon need for bilingual English-Spanish speakers to help their Spanish-only-speaking relatives, and how it can sometimes feel like a “have to” rather than a “want to” for young children. This must be so relatable for many readers.
This opening spread, full of excitement, sets up the story with both the prose and the emotive art:
The main character’s delight at his uncle’s visit is palpable, but pretty soon, readers see there are strings attached. Wherever the main character and his uncle go, the child is called on to translate, be that at the bank, at the market, with neighbors, or with the mail carrier. While Papi explains that helping each other is what families do, it doesn’t seem to ease the young boy’s burden.
A trip to the pharmacy to get medicine for Tío Ricky builds tension and reveals the extent of the narrator’s frustration. What the boy doesn’t realize is that his uncle feels the same way about being unable to communicate clearly with the staff. His facial expression speaks volumes.
When the boy overhears his uncle practicing his English at home, the boy’s empathy shows. I love that playing dominoes is a way for these two to connect and a great opportunity to teach some English words. In the art, readers can see on the characters’ faces how much they’re enjoying each other’s company. It’s nice that some of that annoyance has passed simply by sharing a good time together.
But when Tío Ricky complains that his head hurts and he feels dizzy, his nephew steps up and calls 911, something he learned from his parents. Just like he learned the value of family members supporting each other. I liked watching the main character grow over the course of the book. It felt natural and satisfying to see him finally embrace his skill—one I sure wish I had—when faced with an emergency.
“The paramedic tells me Tío is lucky to have me there to help. I smile. “Your tío is going to be fine. He just needs to take his medicine and rest.”
Bilingualism is a gift. It’s why we sent our daughter to a bilingual school when we lived in Germany. But the truth is, many children do not appreciate this gift until they are older. Tío Ricky Doesn’t Speak English/Tío Ricky no habla inglés is an important story to share so children in similar bilingual situations will see that they are not the only kids who have to translate. It’s also a reminder that, while there may initially have been reluctance on the part of the young translator to be on call for their non-English-speaking relative, the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks. In fact, it ends up being a win-win for everyone!
I hope that by sharing this book, parents can help children embrace and celebrate the “superpower” of bilingualism.
★Starred Reviews – Indie NEXT Pick, Kirkus, School Library Journal
PUBLISHER SUMMARY:
Where the stream twists and sparkles? That’s SUNGLITTER. Where the sunset touches the sky? That’s CLOUDBLOOM. Come take a walk full of the delight of real nature words—mayflies, sea snails, blackbirds, brambles—and full of the joy of new words just waiting to be discovered. Perfect as an inspiration before, during, or after a walk, WILDSPEAK invites readers into the wide possibilities of the natural world, and the wild landscapes of their own imaginations!
REVIEW:
This book made me want to go outside and head to the nearest beach, stream, or woods. Wildspeak: Exploring Nature Through Imagination and Creative Language, written by Sangma Francis and illustrated byLexi Vangsnes, is just the joyful book I needed as Earth Day 2026 approaches. I felt a cool breeze as I read it. I heard the splash of water and the excited voices of children playing and discovering our wonderful “wildspeak” inviting world. Whether scenes are by the water, in a meadow, or in a forest, this picture book showcases the best nature has to offer and celebrates it in every gorgeous spread.
This colorful and creative approach to nature will inspire even the most reluctant of readers to embrace the curiosity shared by two adventurous sisters. Cora and Ada take pleasure not only in discovering nature’s gifts but also in inventing new words to describe them (see illustrations). Look at all the fabulous ways there are to name “seeds caught up in a breeze.” What is your favorite? Mine is airdancers, but a giant’s sneeze is a close second. Not only are these words fun to say, but they’re also invitations for young readers to come up with their own. Their very own wildspeak!
Take readers outside to play in a field, a meadow, or at the beach, and ask them what words come to mind. It’s not just about what they see, but also what they feel and hear, because when nature embraces children, it speaks its own unique language, and no two people experience it quite the same way.
The scene above by the shoreline is one that resonated for me as a lover of lighthouses and tidepools. I imagined the creatures lurking beneath the water, the smell of saltwater, the roughness of the rocks, and the splashes as waves rolled in. My wildspeak words were jagged jumping, and ripply dipping. Why not join the Wildspeak excitement by celebrating “mayflies skimming the air, blackbirds calling from hedgerows, brambles tangling at the edges of hidden paths,” and then make time to take a walk today or any day. Every read offers a new perspective on the surroundings and immerses you in the wonder of our beautiful world no matter what words you choose to use.
Other Recommended Earth Day Reads:
IF THIS WERE THE WORLD
Written by Stephen Barr
Illustrated by AG Ford
(Neal Porter Books)
WE CAN HEAR WITHOUT EARS: And Other Things You Didn’t Know We Plants Could Do
Written by Lisa Westberg Peters Illustrated by Danielle Ridolfi
(Astra Young Readers)
On a hot summer day, a family heads to the local park, where everyone in town has gathered for a party unlike any other. There are games, music, food, and—best of all—a huge fireworks display! There’s a reason behind all of the fun and festivities, though: the freedom of the celebration reminds everyone why the United States was founded two hundred and fifty years ago.
INTRO:
Welcome to the blog today, Roxanne and Jennifer Doehring, and CONGRATULATIONS on Happy Birthday, America! I’m thrilled you could be here to give readers a preview and the opportunity to preorder the picture book before its release this May. Scroll down for details.
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ROXANNE TROUP:
GoodReadsWithRonna: Can you share what inspired you to write HappyBirthday, America!for our country’s semiquincentennial? And yes, readers, that’s a long one, and it means the 250th anniversary of our nation.
Roxanne Troup: I was actually working on an educational piece about the history of fireworks when the idea for this story came to me. I’d been contracted to write a middle-grade testing passage and needed a first-person narrative opener. I remembered my first fireworks display—the sharp scent, the noise (and then silence) of the crowd, the deep-in-your-chest report as the first firework explodes, the magic of moments-there colored lights—and drafted that experience. It was spare and emotive, and I couldn’t bring myself to give it up. So I set it aside and wrote something different for my contracted piece. Eventually, I came back to that drafted experience and built a picture book around it.
GRWR: It would be so helpful for teachers reading this to know how the book can be used outside of the holiday, extended to the classroom, etc. (especially this year). Is there an educator’s guide to accompany the picture book?
RT: There will be! I’m actually in the process of creating the educators’ guide right now (as well as fun craft activities).
GRWR:What was your reaction when you saw the art for the book, and do you have a particular favorite spread?
RT:Seeing the art is always my favorite part of the book-making process! But I was charmed by Jen’s art the moment my AW editor told me her name. Her kid-centric vignettes are so relatable; I love the way she incorporates light into every scene. I think my favorite spread is the firework finale. You have to turn the book to see it, and it takes me back to that moment of “inspiration” when I wrote about my childhood experience with fireworks.
GRWR: What are some of your upcoming promotional plans for Happy Birthday, America!? Will that include a blog tour or a local book launch?
RT: We just learned that Albert Whitman is partnering with America250 to promote HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!. I’m not yet sure what all that will mean, but we are looking forward to it!
I do have a blog tour scheduled and am currently reaching out to local venues about summer programming. It’s going to be fun!
GRWR: What do you and your family love to do when celebrating the holiday?
RT:In the semi-arid mountains where I live, personal firework use is often restricted, but our municipality always has a lovely show with live music. So we usually spend the evening with friends, then sit on the front lawn and watch the show.
INTERVIEW WITH ILLUSTRATOR JENNIFER DOEHRING:
GoodReadsWithRonna:Jen, can you please tell us about how you created the artwork? Do you work digitally, or do you have a unique approach to illustration?
Jen Doehring:With every project I take on, the first step in the process is research. Hours of research! I compile a file of images that relate to the subject of the book. In the case of Happy Birthday, America! I looked at a ton of summer scenes, park scenes, picnics, fireworks, crowds, families, flags, etc. Then I gather inspiration for colors and camera angles. Because I need to not only understand the subject, but design the art around the text. How to accurately portray the text on each spread is important.
Will this scene be a full spread or a spot? Will the camera angle be low or high? Will the main character be small or up close? All of these things are carefully thought out and applied in the thumbnails. I illustrate digitally in Procreate and work in layers starting with a pencil sketch as a first layer and then adding background and color on separate layers.
GRWR:Did you encounter any hiccups along the way? Was there an illustration that you found most challenging to complete?
JD: I think the biggest challenge on this project was the limited time frame. I have another picture book coming out this year and that time frame was much longer. There I had six months to complete sketches and another six months for final art. With Happy Birthday, America! I only had three for everything—from character sketches to final art! Luckily, the process of creating thumbnails flowed easily, and I very much enjoyed the sketching process. The real challenge so far has been adding color. Because of the full spreads and crowds of people, a ton of detail had to be added at this stage. The illustration that took the longest was the second spread when everyone is at the park—so many details!
GRWR:You definitely have a flair for creating scenes with light. How did you balance the light/dark of the fireworks scenes?
JD: Thank you! Roxanne’s simple and beautiful language, along with the firework scenes, immediately hooked me. I was thrilled to be able to play with light/dark and could envision just how the firework pages would look. My favorite thing to illustrate is the unique use of light, and I found this story really let me show off in that area which was super exciting! Imagining how firework light plays off of the skin and clothing was a fun challenge, and if you look closely you can see oranges, pinks, reds, and even purples on the characters and backgrounds during these scenes.
GRWR: Please tell us how you chose to focus on the elements you convey in the picture book’s memory scene at the end that highlights some of America’s symbols … where did the idea come from, as it isn’t depicted in the main text.
JD:Before starting to work on the thumbnails, Rick [the art director] and I talked about a few possibilities for this spread. We brainstormed and decided it might be nice to have a memory scene depicting some elements that show what it means to celebrate America’s freedom. Once we settled on that idea, I ran with it, and the layout for this scene made sense considering the main character is already in bed and getting sleepy. I thought it would be nice to have it all swirl together in a dream-like state to give the spread a magical, whimsical feeling.
GRWR: What is your favorite way to celebrate Independence Day?
JD:I love going out on a boat with family and friends to enjoy this hot day on the water. It’s just the best!
THANK YOU!
My huge thanks go out to Roxanne and Jen for sharing their insights about the creation of Happy Birthday, America! I hope you’ll preorder a copy today to share with kids this May to get in the holiday mood as July 4th approaches.
Award-winning children’s author Roxanne Troup writes kids’ books that celebrate wonder and can be used in the classroom. Roxanne lives in the mountains of Colorado and enjoys hiking with her family and exploring our amazing world through stories. Her favorite way to celebrate special occasions is with fireworks and a new picture book.
Jennifer Doehring is the author and illustrator of The Wanderer’s Journal series, a group of illustrated guided hiking journals, and an illustrator of children’s picture books. She received a fine art degree from the University of California, Irvine, and owns an art studio called Palette Passions, where she teaches painting and drawing. In her spare time, Jennifer loves to backcountry camp and gathers most of her creative inspiration from nature. She lives in Southern California with her husband and their English bulldog, Snickers.
A multicultural addition to the Passover picture book canon, this sweet story explores the meaning of freedom for the Jewish people–and their pets!
Also available in Spanish: La gran sorpresa de Pésaj.
This Passover, Jordanita’s family is leaving their Miami apartment and flying to Argentina to spend the holiday with their cousin. Visiting their cousin is the best, since he not only has a giant yard—he also has two dogs, a cat, two turtles, and two parrots called Tic and Toc! But when Jordanita hears the Passover story this year, she can’t help but notice that Tic and Toc are in a cage. If the point of Passover is to celebrate freedom, shouldn’t that apply to all creatures?
Celebrated Jewish Argentine author Ana María Shua explores the nature of freedom and the love of family in this warm-hearted tale, perfectly paired with the gentle humor of Spanish illustrator Angeles Ruiz’s lively illustrations.
I did not read anything in advance about this new picture book, but I was attracted to the gorgeous cover and intrigued by the idea of learning about Passover in Argentina. Spending time in another country and experiencing new aspects of Jewish culture during Passover is so rewarding for children and adults alike.
The book opens with the narrator, Jordanita, describing her family.
“… my little brother Benja, and Mamá and Papá—are spending Passover with my aunt, uncle, and cousin in Argentina, even though we live in Miami. Their house is in a city called Mendoza.”
Jordanita is excited about her relatives’ home, filled with “many good hide-and-seek spots, and a huge garden!” But apart from her aunt, uncle, and cousin, what delights her most is how many cool pets they have. For someone who lives in an apartment and can count fish as her only pets, being around all these animals, including the adorably named, cage-dwelling parrots, Tic and Toc, is thrilling for Jordanita. What fun new pals to play with!
The energetic art, bursting with color, is complemented by the loving Passover storyline. I felt I was getting a taste of a faraway, exotic place. Spanish words (such as knéidala for matzah balls) are interspersed throughout, and their meaning is easy to comprehend.
When it’s time to sit down for the Seder meal, younger brother Benja gets to ask the traditional four questions, getting at the heart of the meaning of Passover.
“Why,” he begins, “is this night different from all other nights?” His uncle Ariel explains, “We are celebrating freedom.” Long ago, Jews were enslaved in Egypt and longed to be free. While there is more to the four questions, the book explores the ones most pertinent to the story, leaving those interested in learning more to find that info elsewhere.
After the meal ends with dessert, Jordanita says she had an idea after seeing cousin Ilán feed some of her aunt’s special matzah cake to Tic and Toc. Rather than thinking of the consequences, but true to her childlike nature so well conveyed in prose by Ana María Shua, Jordanita sets the parrots free. After all, Passover’s about freedom, right? This was one of my favorite parts of the book, unexpected and touching in its sentiment. It may catch readers by surprise, too. Some kids will be happy, others may be worried. But both the text and the art come together to show children that ultimately, the birds will be just fine.
Many sweet and feel-good moments of familial closeness fill The Passover Pet Surprise. Everyone seems to be enjoying each other’s company, and the celebratory mood is evidenced in every vibrant spread. I especially loved how Aunt Verónica treats Jordanita upon discovering her niece’s mischief, albeit with good intentions. She doesn’t scold Jordanita despite her sadness at the parrots’ disappearance. Papá explains how releasing caged birds can be risky, and the child feels remorse about her behavior. But Uncle Ariel lightens the mood. “Ay, niños,” Uncle Ariel says. “There are parrots all over in Mendoza. Tic and Toc should do just fine. But Aunt Verónica sure will miss them.”
The families can move forward knowing that the parrots will be okay as they experience their newfound freedom, just like the Jews did all those years ago. This book’s unique approach to Passover, with its focus on the birds, makes it a meaningful and rewarding read for this holiday.
How a Deceptively Simple Machine
Moves the World Forward
Written by Christine Van Zandt
Illustrated by Lesley Breen
(Union Square Kids; $19.99, Ages 4-8)
There’s a lot to learn about levers. And I’m not lying when I say this “deceptively simple machine” has made life easier over the millennia, which is why it’s great thatChristine Van Zandt and Lesley Breen have written The Legendary Life Story of the Lever. This nonfiction picture book brings us to modern times by detailing the many ways levers have contributed to civilization’s achievements and advancements, and remains a crucial tool to this day.
Presented chronologically, going all the way back to the Ice Age when people hunted woolly mammoths with a spear thrower, the book engagingly combines informative text with cute, detailed art that includes children in every spread. I recommend that kids explore each scene because Breen has made a point of capturing many activities, in addition to the main one of seeking food. The illustration above shows Ancient Egypt and the role the lever played in trade. Here, readers will see how the lever was instrumental in the balance scale. By measuring items to be purchased against the weight of stones, sellers could determine a price, and buyers could be assured the “transaction was safe.” Scales may be electronic now, but remained a reliable tool for thousands of years.
Using a lever to lift heavy loads was an ingenious discovery and proved crucial in the construction of the Great Wall of China. Be sure to read the factoids as they are full of fascinating and helpful info. The artwork above shows how the pole relied on leverage “over a fulcrum (pivot point)” to lift an object. Spanning over 2,000 years, the building of the wall was intended as a defense system thousands of miles long and was actually not a single wall, “but a series of walls that were connected over time.” I cannot imagine how this feat could have been accomplished without help from the old, reliable lever, and my back hurts just thinking about it!
Jumping ahead many centuries to perhaps the invention most meaningful to me as an author is what printer and craftsman Johannes Gutenberg invented. The printing press greatly reduced the need for handwritten books, which were “rare and expensive.” It incorporated a lever that helped the machine move “back and forth” and used ink “to transfer words and images to paper.” There was movable type (even my father’s printing company used it before the advent of computers), which could be reused rather than having to carve a page of text from wood. The time saved was substantial. Approximately 250 pages could be produced in an hour, reducing costs for the public. The impact of this world-changing technology contributed to “enlightenment”, the creation of the Gutenberg Bible, and meant “the masses” could have access to the written word, provided they could read.
Some of my other favorite sections of the book credited the lever for train travel with its connecting rod allowing for movement, WWII airplanes’ throttle to control an engine’s speed and power (still in use), and the movie industry’s clapperboard to sync sound with pictures. Who knew a piece of wood could be so interesting, useful, and monumental in the history of mankind? This is the kind of book that can be read in one go or section by section. I can see parents or teachers using this book for activities that show levers in action, whether using a pair of scissors, a fishing rod, or even a seesaw! A bonus of buying this book is the step-by-step instructions for building the catapult model included. Click hereto see a model of a lever in action.
Read a review of another one of Christine’s nonfiction picture books here.
“THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER, partly inspired by the Ancient Greek myth of Ariadne, weaves a heartwarming tale of an adventurous boy and an adorable pug in a Christmas sweater who saves the day.”
REVIEW:
One of the many reasons my family has loved Jan Brett’s books, in addition to their stunning artwork, is their re-readability. Even for this review, I found myself eager to return right back to the beginning after my initial read to make sure I caught every last detail. Not only was I delighted to see all the clues depicted in Brett’s signature margin art, but I appreciated the chance to admire all the warm winter scenes.
Theo has an adorable puppy, Ari. On Christmas morning, Theo’s Yiayia (Grandma) shares a handmade red sweater she’s knitted for the pug, but it’s not Ari’s cup of tea. Thoughtful Theo wants to convey both his and Ari’s appreciation for their gifts—Theo’s gotten cool snowshoes—so he decides to go on a hike with his dog to use the Christmas presents. “After packing gingerbread, dog cookies, and hot cocoa,
off we went.”
Dog walkers are out and about in the snow in a sweet scene that made me want to join in, even though I don’t have a dog! But not everyone is heading for Echo Lake. The trek is usually familiar to Theo, though today the snow is much higher than usual and still falling. This makes navigating difficult, but he perseveres nonetheless. With Ari in his backpack, Theo is confident he will soon arrive at the lake.
Unfortunately, when Theo reaches Echo Lake, he is unsure how to get back because all his tracks are buried in the snow. All the while, readers see magpies seeking out shiny objects in the border illustrations of red wool, which tell the tale of what has happened during the hike. Feeling lost and concerned, Theo also notices that Ari’s sweater is gone. “The woods were transformed, but how could a bright red sparkly sweater disappear?” The relationship between Theo and Ari is so heartwarming that even non-dog lovers will find the pair’s dynamic charming.
Fortunately for Theo and Ari, the pup spies something in the snow, something the magpies have taken that readers may have spotted, that helps them retrace their path home. That’s what never ceases to make Brett’s style so engaging. And, without giving too much away, in a wonderfully rewarding surprise for both Ari and Theo, the unraveled Christmas sweater turns out to be the initially unwanted gift that keeps on giving in this magical holiday story.
Find out more about the inimitable Jan Brett here.
Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. HAPPY HANUKKAH!
For those of you who read this blog regularly, you’ll know how much I love poetry, so when I saw that there was a new Hanukkah book of poems, I jumped at the chance to review it. The Book of Candles, written by Laurel Snyderand illustrated by Leanne Hatch, is a welcoming and lyrical look at the festival of lights.
I enjoyed spending time with the family of five featured in this picture book, the youngest of whom is affectionately called Sugarpop by his mom. The poems are titled for each night of Hanukkah, spanning from the first night to the eighth, the last night.
In a dark, dark room,
one thin candle
wakes, bursts to life
So begins the joyful celebration. It’s also a great idea that, in addition to every poem, a helpful info box with thoughts on that particular night in each poem is included.
And even though I have observed this holiday for decades, I still learned something new. For example, Snyder explains the approach to lighting the candles on a Friday night, which is also Shabbat (the Sabbath).
A Thought for the Fourth Night: On Friday night, we light the Hanukkah candles at least eighteen minutes before sunset because, for observant Jews, it’s against the rules to strike a match after Shabbat has started.
Some poems are playful while others are more solemn, but all are engaging. Together, they make this book about a moving and meaningful celebration come to life. I especially found the scenes with Sugarpop and the cat to be sweet and relatable since our family cats have always been present for Hanukkah, whether beside the menorah, mesmerized by the flickering candles, or seeking a taste of latkes with sour cream. Many readers will be delighted by the poem describing the family visiting the grandparents, when the youngest was finally allowed to light the candles. And who won’t be impressed when, in another scene, a flat tire means the family will have to improvise, using the banana Hanukkiah hack. That, along with convenience-store birthday candles standing in for Hanukkah candles, makes for a most memorable holiday!
There are myriad reasons to find The Book of Candles a fresh new take on Hanukkah, Hatch’s art being one. She captures the warmth of the holiday, particularly in her depiction of the candles burning. She also conveys the family’s closeness in a laid-back way while maintaining the holiday’s importance. I can definitely picture children wanting to have this read to them each night of Hanukkah along with many of the other wonderful Hanukkah books out this year.
Michelle Orrelle:Tami, it’s such a pleasure to chat with you today! You and I live in Israel and share a passion for bringing authentic stories about Israel and Jewish life to young readers. Before we dive into your new books, I just want to say how much I admire your commitment to connecting children everywhere with our shared heritage.
Tami Lehman-Wilzig:Thanks so much, Michelle. Jewish content, which includes stories set in Israel, is definitely my niche. I cannot emphasize enough how important books connected to Israel are for young Jewish readers around the globe, especially now, during the troubled times we are living through. I am so grateful to PJ Library for sending out books tied to Israel and for all that they have done throughout our war. And we also have your wonderful initiative – the Am Yisrael Chai Children’s Books project, which you began after the horrendous events of October 7th, 2023, occurred, and Israel-bashing became rampant. Thanks to you, we have close to an additional 10 picture book titles connected to Israel being distributed to thousands of children throughout the United States through The JCC of North America.
MO: Two of your new books – On the Wings of Eagles, and The Henna Helper– are part of what I call your Israel Lineup. Some of these books won awards, like Keeping the Promiseand SOOSIE, The Horse That Saved Shabbat. Tell us a little bit about these books.
TLH: What you call my Israel Lineup are stories that are not just about Israel. They take place in Israel, reflect Jewish identity and values, and show Jewish children around the world that Israel is a country they can identify with. Take, for example, my book Stork’s Landing. The Jewish value of kindness to animals is reflected by the members of a kibbutz who nurture a wounded stork. SOOSIE, The Horse That Saved Shabbathas that element as well, but even more so shows how important Shabbat is on the weekly Jewish calendar. My new book, On the Wings of Eagles, reflects the eternal yearning of the Jewish people throughout the ages to return to Zion. Even two of my earliest books – Passover Around the World and Hanukkah Around the World are part of the Lineup because Israel was my open research lab. All of the customs in those books are still being practiced in Israel among the “tribes” that brought them over. By writing stories revolving around these traditions, the customs became accessible to all Jewish children. At the same time, they showed the mosaic that is Israel.
MO: Let’s talk about On the Wings of Eagles—a powerful tale inspired by real events during Operation Magic Carpet, when nearly 50,000 Yemenite Jews wereairlifted to Israel in 1949–1950. The story follows Haila, a young girl preparing to leave her village and fly to the Jewish homeland, capturing both the excitement and fear of that historic journey. The book is based on true people and events, and you dedicate it to Leah Ma’Udah, the real “Haila.” Can you share what it was like meeting her and how her memories shaped your storytelling?
TLH:Leah is such a special person. She has gone through a lot in her life, starting with her fleeing Rada, Yemen, when she was a little girl. Her entire world was her home and her city, and poof, it was shattered! Suddenly, she found herself being uprooted. That’s not easy for any child, and certainly the trek from Rada to Aden was terrifyingly difficult. It was riveting just sitting and listening to her. She remembered everything about her journey, including the robbery that figures into On the Wings of Eagles. She is a very soft-spoken woman, but her voice was full of intensity and passion while recounting the details of her trek. It helped me recreate her tale with a balance of factual accuracy and emotional storytelling.
MO: In your newest book – The Henna Helper– you revisit the Yemenite-Israeli community in modern-day Israel and in a very different context. What do you hope readers—both Jewish and non-Jewish—will learn about Yemenite Jewry from this story?
TLH: I’m thinking Micro and Macro, so let’s start with the micro level of crafts and customs. The Jews of Yemen were the finest silversmiths in the land, and they brought their outstanding skill with them to Israel. During the early decades of Israeli statehood, Israeli jewelry was synonymous with Yemenite jewelry. Similarly, their gorgeous embroidery became another Israeli symbol. But let’s go to the macro level. The Henna Helper is a universal story about immigration. About new immigrants coming to a country with a totally different day-to-day way of life. Little Gali represents the immigrant who wants to integrate. Why does her cousin Yael have to hold a pre-wedding Henna ceremony? Who needs this old-fashioned custom? After all, Yael is a modern Israeli. Gali is at odds with her grandmother who holds on to tradition, who wisely shows Gali that one can be cool and with it while maintaining honored customs. I think that all children who have descended from immigrants who have contributed to their country can relate to this. Specifically for Israel, Yemenite Jews have made enormous contributions to Israeli culture – from music, jewelry, and fashion to cuisine.
MO: You have three new books. Let’s talk about your third new title, Rembrandt’s Blessing, which just received a fabulous review from CLCD, Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database. I want to quote from it: “This charming picture book gracefully introduces young readers to the world of the incredible master painter, Rembrandt van Rijn, and his unexpected relationship with Amsterdam’s Jewish community at the time … The narrative, grounded in historical fact yet toldwith a gentle fictional touch, explores themes of curiosity, respect, and cultural intersection.”
How does this story connect to your broader body of work?
TLH: I am in love with my Jewish heritage, and I want readers to understand that Judaism is more than just a religion. It’s a culture and a way of life that has a rich history, and Rembrandt plays into that. Rembrandt loved the bible and created over 300 works – paintings, drawings, and etchings – of biblical scenes. As my book shows, his close friendship with Sephardi Dutch rabbi Menashe ben Israel had a tremendous impact on his work. I discovered Rembrandt’s deep ties to the Amsterdam Jewish community around twenty years ago during my first trip to Amsterdam. I felt it was an important story for children because it shows a cross-cultural, inter-religious friendship that had a very positive effect. I think that Rembrandt’s Blessing fits in beautifully with two other books of mine that have historical connections: The Boston Chocolate Partyand Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom.
MO: Let’s talk a bit about craft. You write primarily for older picture book readers, ages 5–9. What do you think first-time authors should know about the process?
TLH: First and foremost, study the market. If you have a book idea, find out what’s out there. Maybe it’s already been done. If that’s the case and you still want to write the story, how will you make it different? Next, Vitamin P: Patience and Persistence. Writing a good story is not, as they say in Israel, “Chick-Chack” – something done quickly.
MO: That leads me to my next question. What has your experience been like working with editors, publishers, and critique groups?
TLH: Let’s start with critique groups: an absolute MUST. Develop the skin of an elephant because you want criticism. You want to know what should be changed, how can your story be improved. And don’t think the critique stops with your group. It is rare that a book is accepted and the editor does not want changes. I have learned so much from my editors. Let me take this opportunity to give a special shout-out to Aviva Lucas Gutnick, who was my editor for all my books at Apples and Honey Press. Her sharp eye and ear added so much to my stories.
MO: What are you working on now? What’s next for you?
TLH: I have a hyperactive brain so I’m juggling a lot of ideas, and even drafts. I’ve just finished the first draft of a bible story revolving around a character who has never been touched but is so very important to the Jewish story. I also have two other stories that I’m working on. One deals with a female Israeli scientist, and the other takes place in Italy. And I’m flirting with a story idea that takes place in Japan.
MO: Tami, thank you so much for sharing your time, insight, and passion with us.
TLH:Thank you for interviewing me. It was a special treat!
GRWR:Thanks to you both for this enlightening discussion! I hope readers will visit their local independent bookstore to purchase the books mentioned, or order online via Bookshop.org.
Tami Lehman-Wilzig is an award-winning author of sixteen picture books. Originally from Manhattan, she and her husband moved to Israel 48 years ago. She served as one of Israel’s leading English language advertising copywriters for 35 years. Her career as a children’s picture book author began over 20 years ago during the second Intifada, which she hopes no Jew will ever have to go through again. At that time, business was down so she decided to see if she could turn her hobby of writing children’s stories into a second career.
For more on Tami and her books: https://www.tlwkidsbooks.com/
Author Michelle Orrelle, Photo Credit: Sarah Raanan
MICHELLE’S BIO:
Michelle Orrelle is an Australian-Israeli children’s book author. Her debut board book Todah, I Am Grateful, and debut picture book Habima Magicwill be published by Kar-Ben Publishing in 2026 and 2027. Along with her husband, she founded Crew 972, an animation production company, and she is also a guide at ANU – Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, where she helps visitors connect with Jewish history, culture, and tradition.
For more about Michelle: www.michelleorrelle.com
BODY BEAUTIFUL
Written by Susan Verde
Illustrated by Steph Littlebird
(Abrams BYR; $19.99, Ages 4-8)
Did you know your body is beautiful? #1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Verde, poses this thoughtful question to young readers in her new picture book, Body Beautiful. The book takes children on a journey that celebrates the magnificent wonders of our bodies.
The story starts with a lovely illustration (below) of a fetus sleeping soundly inside its mother’s womb.
“You were born from a beautiful body
who was born from another beautiful body
and so on going way way way back.”
Indigenous artist Steph Littlebird illustrates our continuing connectivity by showing the planets circling the mother and unborn child using soft colors of purples, pinks, and yellows. Littlebird’s vibrant art moves us forward as we turn the page to a list showing all the many ways to describe the human body. It’s a long list because we are rightfully different. I love how this spread conveys that we are all so unique that we can’t be categorized as just one entity.
However, Verde explains, these descriptions are only part of what makes our bodies beautiful. MIRACULOUS, GROWING, and SPEAKING are words used to express how each of us is more than what is seen on the outside. UNIQUE is spelled out alongside a girl and a boy sitting in the wilderness, amidst the green trees, birds, owls, and butterflies. The story’s lyrical language takes the reader through the outer vessels of our bodies to our inner minds that tell us when our body has something to say. One of my favorite lines is Asking you to listen—our bodies often tell us when something isn’t right. We just need to stop and listen. As a certified yoga instructor, this resonated with me because it’s something I do and encourage others to as well.
Littlebird’s uplifting art depicts kids of all shapes and sizes, from tall to short, large to small, from white to brown, and everything in between, as well as those with varying abilities, each moving happily together. Your body is also WISE— Keeping a record of the joy, the sadness, the wonder, the stories of your resilience, the lessons learned. This book serves as a meaningful reminder to children (and to adults). When we see the young black girl hugging herself, we read Your body is YOUR OWN.
The story flows, inviting read-alouds and conversation. It then concludes with children walking through a field, reminding the reader that the most beautiful part of your body is YOU, and there will be nothing more beautiful than that.
The backmatter includes an Author’s Note explaining how Verde got the idea for this story. There’s also an Illustrator’s Note that encourages young people to feel proud of their bodies. This is an important topic that should be taught to children at a young age, before they begin judging themselves for what they think they should be. We live in a time when stories like this need to be told because you can never share too much about mindfulness, self-love, and kindness with children.
A loving, heartwarming picture book about empathy, sisterhood, and finding the courage to ask for forgiveness—and having the grace to give it—to others and to ourselves.
INTERVIEW:
Jan Epstein Schwaid: Hi, Rebecca! Longtime fan, first-time interviewer. I loved this book and its sweet, relatable message. What was your inspiration?
Rebecca Gardyn Levington:Thank you so much for your kind words, Jan. Very excited to talk to you!
This story actually started with a call for poems by Ladybug magazine in the summer of 2021. They were looking for poems about “traditions and rituals” and, since I love a good writing prompt, I started brainstorming about various Jewish traditions and rituals that I find meaningful. I’ve always loved the Tashlich ceremony, which takes place on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. It is a ritual that is all about finding forgiveness – by making amends with those we’ve harmed and by giving ourselves grace for our missteps. The original poem was 5 stanzas long and had a little sidebar about the ceremony. I actually remember being happy when Ladybug decided not to publish the poem because I was excited about the idea of playing with it more and maybe turning it into a picture book.
When I was invited to attend the inaugural PJ Library Summer Camp at Highlights for emerging authors in 2022 (where I met YOU!), I knew it was the perfect time to work on this. The feedback I received during that summer helped enormously with the revisions of this book.
JES: How and why did you decide to add the backdrop of Rosh Hashanah to this story of sisterly forgiveness? Did you consider telling it without the Jewish holiday element?
RGL: No, I never considered telling this story without the Jewish holiday element. As I mentioned, the story started with a poem about Tashlich, and grew from there into a more universal story.
JES: Taschlich was a ceremony I only really learned about in college, where we’d throw bread into the campus fountain. Now, we throw rice paper into a pool! Did you grow up with the tradition of Taschlich? Do you practice it now? If so, how?
RGL: It’s funny, I also never knew about Tashlich as a kid growing up in a Reform temple in the Bay Area of California. I’m not really sure why. My best guess is that after trying to keep two little girls quiet in temple all morning, my parents didn’t have the energy to take us to yet another service, at another location, but I should ask them!
I only learned about Tashlich as an adult because the temple I now belong to (here, in NJ) conducts the Tashlich service immediately after (and in the same location as) their “family service.” We’ve attended every year since my two boys were little. It has always been my and my family’s favorite parts of Rosh Hashanah because it is a short yet very meaningful service, it’s outdoors in a beautiful park setting, and it involves throwing bread into water (and what kid doesn’t like throwing things?)
JES: Your rhyming books flow so incredibly well and feel effortless. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing in rhyme? Do you have resources you’d recommend?
RGL: Thank you for that compliment! Honestly, the best advice I would give to anyone who wants to write in rhyme is to put in the time to learn the craft.
Some people think “cat” rhymes with “hat,” so what’s so hard about “that”? But in order to write a story in rhyme that FEELS easy and can be read flawlessly by ANYONE, it requires an understanding the mechanics of meter — how words have natural stressed and unstressed syllables and that by placing words in a particular order, you can create specific rhythms. Writing picture books (as opposed to poems) increases the difficulty because the story ALWAYS has to come first. You can have the most wonderful rhymes and perfect rhythms, but if the story doesn’t make sense or goes off on unnecessary tangents, it isn’t going to fly.
I’ve worked really, really, really hard over the last decade – taking classes, reading and studying thousands of rhyming picture books and poems, swapping manuscripts with other incredible rhyming authors, getting professional critiques, etc. — to truly master the ins and outs of rhyme, meter, and lyrical language. For those who want to put in the work, I will say that the absolute BEST thing I ever did for my career was to take Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab class. Renee also has a fabulous FREE YouTube channel. (And no, I don’t get any kickbacks from Renee. I’m happy to spread the word because I absolutely believe her class helped me take my writing to an entirely different level).
I would also say that if you don’t absolutely LOVE writing in rhyme, don’t. To me, a rhyming poem or picture book is one big puzzle. When, after hours of tinkering, I’m able to uncover the perfect word that exactly encapsulates the meaning and feeling I’m after AND perfectly slides into my meter, I get SUCH a high! But if you don’t feel this way, don’t make your life harder. It is more difficult to get an agent and more difficult to sell a rhyming picture book (for many reasons I don’t have time to go into here). So why put yourself at a disadvantage if it isn’t something you love?
JES:Do you ever write non-rhyming versions of your stories? Do editors ever ask for non-rhyming versions?
RGL: Because, as I said, story ALWAYS needs to come first, I know some people suggest writing out manuscripts in prose before “translating” it into rhyme, but that’s never really worked for me. These days I tend to write all my stories in rhyme from the beginning. Oftentimes that means I end up killing a lot of darlings along the way, as I realize that a certain stanza isn’t moving the story forward. It’s a bit torturous, but it’s just how I work.
That said, I definitely have written stories in prose that I intend to remain in prose. But doing so feels less comfortable than writing in rhyme, and none of those stories have ever sold. There’s something about the constraints of meter and rhyme that helps me focus. Having unlimited space and unlimited words to tell a story feels very overwhelming to me.
Actually, several people who critiqued early drafts of FINDING FORGIVENESS told me to take it out of rhyme. They felt like maybe the subject matter was a little too heavy for a rhyming story. So, I tried to change it into prose, but it never felt like “me.” So, I returned to the rhyme. It was definitely a challenge to get it right (I count 31 drafts) but I’m glad I stuck with it.
And no, I’ve never had an editor ask me for a non-rhyming version of a story they’ve acquired. All the editors I’ve had the pleasure of working with have been super enthusiastic about my work (which is why I love working with them!). That said, I have had editors pass on submissions because they didn’t “connect with the rhyme.” That kind of feedback stings a bit, but I’ve grown a pretty tough skin.
JES: You’ve written books about Passover, Hanukkah, and now, Rosh Hashanah! Are there other holidays you’d like to explore?
RGL: Indeed, there are! In fact, I have a book about Shabbat, LOOKING FOR LIGHT, which is also illustrated by Diana Mayo (the same illustrator as FINDING FORGIVENESS) and comes out in early 2027, again with Farrar, Straus, & Giroux. And I have a book about Purim, BRAVE LIKE ESTHER: A Purim Story, illustrated by Asya Aizenstein, which comes out from Kalaniot Books in January 2027!
JES: Your moving books all evoke strong emotions. With what feelings do you hope young readers come away from this book?
RGL:Thank you again for the compliment. I really hope that readers will come away from this book with feelings of empathy and understanding for both characters in the story.
Like the main character in this book, I too have a younger sister and our relationship as children was filled with arguments like the one depicted. I also now have two boys of my own and see similar frustrations and miscommunications creep up between them as well. Sibling relationships are tough for anyone to navigate, and it is particularly hard for kids, who are still learning that the world doesn’t always revolve around their own experience and point of view. One of the reasons I often write in the first person is because I want my readers to walk in my character’s shoes and try on all the feelings they are feeling, and find understanding for others when they encounter similar situations in their own lives.
JES: Do you have any advice for new picture book writers?
RGL:Oh, I have a TON of advice! (Allow me to shamelessly plug my monthly newsletter, where I answer questions from subscribers and offer LOTS of advice every single month! You can sign up on my website and read all past archives on my “Resources for Writers” page here: https://rebeccagardynlevington.com/resources-for-writers/)
For now, I’ll offer these three nuggets:
Write the books YOU love to write. I love writing rhyming (often plotless) poem-picture books. But initially when I was starting out, I didn’t write these types of books because I thought I had to follow the “rules” — ex: “have a main character with a problem who tries 3 times to solve it,” “don’t write in rhyme,” etc. Not surprisingly, none of those drafts ever sold. It wasn’t until I listened to my heart (cute the 80s tune!) that my writing finally started feeling authentic and I began selling books.
Publishing is a BUSINESS. As I say in #1, first and foremost, write what you love! BUT, at the end of the day, you also need to think about how you will SELL that book to a publisher. So, what are your “hooks”? (Can it be sold during a particular holiday? Is it about a certain type of relationship? Is it SEL? STEM? Can you add sidebars or back matter?) Who will buy your book and WHY? (Can teacher’s use it in their classroom, for example.) After writing a first draft, I recommend writing your pitch and researching comp titles (other books with similar themes or styles). It will help you revise when you have a solid idea of what holes you feel your book fills in the marketplace.
Put yourself and your work out into the world as much as you can! You NEVER know where opportunity will arise. Enter ALL the contests, join ALL the groups, go to ALL the conferences and webinars you can, and enter ALL the mentorship programs. If I hadn’t applied for the (now defunct) #PB Chat Mentorship Program in 2019, I wouldn’t have connected with my mentor, author Lori Degman, and she wouldn’t have connected me with my editor at Sleeping Bear Press who ultimately bought and published my first book, BRAINSTORM!
JES: What’s coming up next for you?
RGL:Thank you so much for asking!
My next two books, both out on Sept. 9th, are SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND (Barefoot Books), illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova, and DINOSAUR SURPRISE! (Highlights Press), illustrated by Teresa Bellon. Here are the blurbs:
SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND is a lyrical picture book that encourages kids to be true to who they are, even when “who they are” is constantly changing. Like the wind, which on some days is “whirling and wild” and on others “mellow and mild,” we cannot be described, defined, or labelled in any one way. Each day, our moods, feelings and reactions to the world inevitably shift and drift depending on our circumstance, but we are always, on all days, uniquely ourselves.
DINOSAUR SURPRISE! is an interactive board book about… dinosaurs, of course! Babies and toddlers will delight in joining real dinosaurs in a rhyming story, and then—surprise!—lift the felt flaps to reveal silly ones. The last page features a mirror under the flap where little “babysaurs” can practice their silliest faces. This is the perfect book to help little ones develop early humor and fine-motor skills while they laugh and play with caregivers.
Rebecca Gardyn Levington is a children’s book author, poet, and journalist with a particular penchant for penning both playful and poignant picture books and poems – primarily in rhyme. She is the author of WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (which has been translated into nine languages and is the winner of a Crystal Kite Honor and a Northern Lights Book Award),AFIKOMAN WHERE’D YOU GO? and FINDING FORGIVENESS (both PJ Library Selections), BRAINSTORM!, LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN, WRITE HERE WRITE NOW, SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND, DINOSAUR SURPRISE!, and I WILL ALWAYS BE… with many more books forthcoming. Rebecca blogs monthly for the Picture Book Builders and her award-winning poems and articles have appeared in numerous anthologies, newspapers, and magazines. She lives with her family in Summit, NJ, where she enjoys bouncing on a mini-trampoline, playing Mah Jongg, and eating chocolate-peanut butter ice cream (although not usually at the same time!). Find out more and sign up for Rebecca’s monthly newsletter at www.RebeccaGardynLevington.com.
Jan Epstein Schwaid Photo Credit: Just Maggie Photography.
JAN’S BIO:
A graduate of the University of Southern California’s screenwriting program, Jan Schwaid is an award-winning writer of short films, television, video games, podcasts, and children’s books. She currently writes for PJ Library’s scripted children’s podcast Beyond the Bookcase, now in its fifth season. Her debut picture book, The Shabbat Flood: A Texas-Sized Tall Tale, will be published in Fall 2026. She also teaches screenwriting at the Los Angeles branch of the New York Film Academy. Jan lives in Los Angeles with her husband, young daughter, a rescue pup Taco. Visit her online at janschwaid.com or on Instagram at @jan_schwaid_writing.
“A hardworking sponge…has a BIG job. She washes and mops and scrubs away all the messes in the kitchen. But what happens when the mess gets TOO BIG and she just CAN’T clean anymore?”
From Kirkus:
“Harris’ debut is a humorous foray into cleaning routines with a valuable message about avoiding burnout.”
Review:
In The Big Squeeze, an enthusiastic sponge helps around the sink, washing dishes, brushing away crumbs, and cleaning up spills …
until she becomes weighed down (and stinky) with all the gunk she’s absorbed. Suddenly, she could no longer do what she was made for. She’s a mess in more ways than one!
This cute, SEL debut featuring anthropomorphic kitchen cleaning items from Molly Harrisgently tackles self-care with a relatable story. Add the lively illustrations by Alison Hawkins, which exude friendly humor, and the variety of colorful characters imbued with engaging personalities, and you’ve got a winner for families, classrooms, and libraries!
GoodReadsWithRonna: Welcome, Leah. Congratulations on your debut picture book, Freedom at Dawn: Robert Smalls’s Voyage Out of Slavery. It’s terrific to have this chance to chat with you on the blog. I’m guessing most people don’t know about the courageous escape to freedom made by enslaved boat pilot or wheelman Robert Smalls during the Civil War. Can you tell us how you first learned about him and what inspired you to write about this historic event?
Leah Schanke: I first learned about Robert Smalls when I was researching another US Civil War story. Smalls was a Civil War hero, yet he was forced out of a streetcar in Philadelphia because of the color of his skin. I made a note to myself to learn about Smalls because I was not familiar with this important figure in US history. I was inspired by his daring, dangerous plan, his fearlessness, and his accomplishments after the escape to freedom. I also feel a personal connection to his story because of my family roots in South Carolina.
GRWR:I love how you’ve made Lizzy Smalls, the oldest of Robert Smalls’s two children, the narrator. It brings the reader right on board the Planter with the family. Did you try other approaches?
LS: In 2012, I wrote a picture book biography of Robert Smalls. There were already other picture book biographies, and mine didn’t stand out or offer anything unique. I put the story aside until 2020. My critique group did a brainstorming exercise, and one of the items was to tell a story from a different perspective. That is when I decided to try telling the story from Smalls’ daughter’s perspective.
GRWR:Readers learn from Lizzy that soon the Union will launch an attack on Charleston, meaning the harbor will be harder than ever to escape unless they leave right away. It helps that Smalls knows the secret whistle code to pass Confederate boats. You build tremendous tension in these scenes as Mama, Lizzy, and baby Robert wait for Papa’s boat to arrive. Then, once on board the Planter, Lizzy’s descriptions make my heart race with every read. “The guards on shore must think Papa is the real captain.” What would they do if they saw he was not white?. Was this one of the most challenging parts of the book to write, or was it when they raised the white flag?
LS:Writing the suspenseful elements of the story was a lot of fun. It was more difficult writing the part about raising the white flag. In an earlier version of the story, I gave Lizzy more agency in which she shouts to the crew to pull down the Confederate and South Carolina flags (and replace them with the white flag of surrender). I agreed with a critique I received that this deviated too much from the historical facts.
GRWR: What was your reaction the first time you saw Oboh Moses’ stunning artwork? He manages to capture the atmosphere on board and the strong emotions all the escapees are feeling as they hide below deck in this life-or-death situation. Do you have a favorite spread?
LS:When I first saw black and white illustrations, I was impressed at how Oboh Moses captured the story, but when I saw them with color, to say I was absolutely amazed is an understatement. My favorite spread is the battle at Fort Sumter (top illustration). The spread really shows a very important battle in US history in an engaging way. I hope it sparks curiosity in learning more about the US Civil War.
GRWR: How long did it take you to write Freedom at Dawn, and then how long to find an agent and sell the book? I applaud you for making it look easy.
LS:Writing Freedom at Dawn took about one month for the first draft because I already knew the story well from the traditional biography I had written years earlier. I had an agent when I wrote the story, who showed little interest in it and with whom I parted ways. I submitted to agents in the hopes of another agent relationship, but it didn’t lead to an offer. I sold Freedom at Dawn on my own through the fall 2023 Savvy Authors Pitchfest and engaged a literary attorney to negotiate the contract on my behalf.
GRWR:I learned even more about Robert Smalls from the backmatter. Are there any interesting facts that stand out to you after all your research?
LS:It was important to me to give information in the backmatter about Elizabeth (Lizzy) Smalls’ life since I told the story of the escape from her perspective. I was amazed that she lived to be 101 years old and had 11 children.
I had a timeline that had to be removed from the backmatter to maintain the 32-page format. It was very interesting to learn that in the summer after the escape, Robert Smalls traveled to Washington, DC, and met with President Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, and Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon Chase. Although the details of the meetings are unknown, it is believed Smalls was an instrumental voice in reminding them that African American men were capable and willing to join the fight against the Confederacy.
GRWR:What’s it like after so many years to finally have a debut? Does it seem surreal at times?
LS: It’s been a thirteen-year journey to reach this point! It does feel surreal, but I’m so glad I stuck with it and kept working on improving my storytelling craft. I hope my long journey to publication helps other writers to not give up. The submission process and passes or no response at all can wear you down. Sometimes it helps to recharge by disengaging from submitting, and focusing on writing stories and reconnecting to the love of writing for children.
GRWR: What is your writing regimen? Do you write daily? And do you have a favorite place where your ideas can flow unimpeded?
LS: I work full-time and commute over one hour in each direction to the office. During the morning commute, I focus on anything writing-related, e.g., writing, revising, critiquing, and catching up with social media. I also go to the library on the weekend to do research and write.
GRWR: Have you always been focused on writing for children?
LS: Yes, I have always been focused on stories for children. I enjoy bringing stories about little-known but important figures and events in US history to a younger audience.
GRWR: Please let me know if there’s anything I didn’t ask that you’d like to mention.
LS:While the story is focused on the escape and Smalls’ skills and fearless leadership, he could not have pulled off the escape on his own. He needed the crew to operate the ship. There was a community of people on board who worked together and risked their lives for freedom. Everyone on the ship was brave. I’d like readers to understand that there are different ways to be brave, and that in the story Lizzy learns that she is brave too.
GRWR: Thank you, Leah, for sharing your perspective with us today. I’m excited for children to read Freedom at Dawn!
Leah Schanke is a children’s book author whose multicultural heritage and interest in U.S. history inspire her to write historical fiction and nonfiction books for children with a focus on little-known but significant figures and events. FREEDOM AT DAWN, illustrated by Oboh Moses, is Leah’s first children’s book. With family roots in South Carolina, she was especially intrigued by the idea of telling a children’s story about Robert Smalls’ heroic life. Leah lives on Long Island, NY, with her family.
There are so many things I love about this fabulous 40-page poetry book, Awesome Earth, written by Joan Bransfield Graham and illustrated by Tania Garcia! Considering its title, it can easily be called an Earth Day book.
Artwork: The most obvious is the eye-catching artwork. Tania Garcia uses such vibrant hues and striking color combinations that I was surprised to learn it’s her first ever picture book. Her seemingly simple illustrations deliver a powerful message. If you weren’t awake before reading this – both physically and symbolically —you will be afterward.
Concrete poetry: closely related to the bold artwork is the graphic arrangement of the words. Words shapeshift on every page to emphasize what’s written. Just as importantly, they underscore the book’s core message that earth never stands still.
Rhythm: I loved the variety of rhythms in this book. They felt fresh and reminded me of spoken word poetry, which kept me engaged with each poem.
Science: This book is slyly educational … I was so focused on admiring the elements mentioned above that it took me a while to realize I was actually learning about landforms, too!
A Love Story: This collection of poems goes beyond simply educating readers about landmasses. It makes us fall in love with our planet all over again:
The earth is an artist, at work every day, with powerful tools that come into play: pressure, time, wind, water, ice, too — all forming wondrous features to view. It sculpts, chisels, carves, etches, creating awe-inspiring sketches. Explore the world, enjoy its glory, listen to it whisper its unfolding story. Walk gently, with care, when you roam. Earth is a treasure, the earth is our home.
Even More Learning! As if this weren’t enough of a great book, the end is filled with interesting facts, definitions, and additional resources to explore.
Reviewed by Susan Corry. Susan Corry writes picture books and has more than ten years of experience writing and editing articles for top universities and corporations. She lives in LA with her husband, daughter, and two fluffy rescue dogs. Bluesky: @susancorry.bsky.social
The peas are back, folks! Keith Baker’sHap-Pea Easter picture book — his eighth in the New York Times bestselling series — uses a bold and bright color palette to celebrate both Easter and springtime.
As usual, the peas are the stars of the show, and watching their spring escapades — from flying kites to gardening to playing in mud puddles — is entertaining in and of itself. But the fun continues as they make a delightful mess decorating Easter eggs, celebrating with an egg hunt, and awaiting the Easter Bunny’s arrival.
As a bonus, readers will enjoy searching every page for a ladybug and the Easter Bunn-pea. (Sorry … I couldn’t resist!) A parting gift is the final illustration, which winks at readers with a sprinkle of dark humor.
Guest Reviewer Susan Corry writes picture books and has more than ten years of experience writing and editing articles for top universities and corporations. She lives in L.A. with her husband, daughter, and two fluffy rescue dogs.
Bluesky: @susancorry.bsky.social
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