This feel-good picture book contains all the right elements (or should I say ingredients?) for the Rosh Hashanah holiday and an enjoyable read-aloud. Part of “The Festivals of the World” series, The Sweetest Rosh Hashanah focuses on the Jewish New Year and a little girl named Ellie. She loves helping her parents prepare for the New Year meal, especially the challah, the honey cake, and the apples and honey. But when she’s reminded that her grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins will be joining them, she remembers how bossy her cousin Lara had been on her previous visit.
Ellie decides that, rather than having Lara take something of hers and leave with it like she did last time—Ellie’s special paint set, to be precise—she’d hide her special toys from Lara. What a surprise, then, when Lara shows up with a handmade card apologizing for taking the paint set and for her bossy behavior. Ellie takes her cue from the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and forgives her cousin. In the spirit of Rosh Hashanah and turning over a new leaf, the cousins move forward with love and open minds, “… the perfect start to a sweet new year.” Lewis’s warm palette captures the festive moments in a flat, folk art style that I love, as a diverse family gathers to celebrate the holiday. Bergman captures a common childhood emotion and creates a joyful picture book in which forgiveness offers a chance for new beginnings.
With four pages of backmatter in this 32-page picture book, the story unfolds quickly, with every spread moving it toward a heartwarming conclusion. Kids will find a step-by-step recipe for making challah as well as a New Year’s card craft activity.
Meet Stella, the narrator of Stella’s Special Recipe. Now that she’s old enough to help her mom make the stuffed cabbage rolls, a family recipe passed down for generations, Stella can’t wait to get started. She doesn’t have to go far to gather the ingredients, since she lives on a farm where they’re easy to pick. Stoller skillfully uses catchy language tools such as onomatopoeia, alliteration, consonance, assonance, and a repeatable refrain that grows longer as mouthwatering ingredients are added.
“We chop-drop tomatoes into a pot for sauce.
Sizzle, sizzle. Steam swirls.”
Pure yum! One tradition that’s also been passed down in different colored ink from Stella’s bubbe, nana, and mom is adding their own personal touch. “‘Could I add my own dash or dollop?'” I wonder.” This got me curious to see what new recipe variation would get selected. When Stella added honey, I knew she’d found the perfect addition that simply shouted her name to keep the sweet family tradition going.
I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that my nana’s stuffed cabbage ranked up there with the best I’ve ever eaten, but I unfortunately don’t have the recipe. I’m thankful this picture book includes a recipe for me to test out. Milovanova’s illustrations, full of Stella’s energy and enthusiasm, pair beautifully with Stoller’s inviting prose.
This recommended board book, Mazel Toes! written by Audrey Barbakoff and illustrated by Annita Soble, hooked me from the title, and the rest of the rhyming story kept me turning the pages. What a treat to read all the Yiddish I heard growing up. Better yet, how wonderful to share it with future generations. I like how references to the various babies’ mazel toes appear in every other stanza, all the while introducing Yiddish words to kvell over.
My love, it lasts forever. My love, it grows and grows, From your shayna punim Down to your mazel toes.
My favorite stanza is above, and I can almost hear my grandfather saying it. It was years before I understood that when he said “pupik” he was referring to my belly button! Barbakoff makes every perfectly chosen Yiddish word work wonderfully to convey the pride everyone feels as they marvel at the bundle of joy.
Readers unfamiliar with Yiddish will appreicate the glossary at the end. I appreciated the diverse representation of characters in the illustrations, including multiracial, multigenerational, queer, and disabled characters. Additionally, the journey from the “old country” to the present, as they dote on the newborn, was a thoughtful approach. I’m a big fan of the flattened-style perspective Sobel used, a rich, naïve art that hints at a bygone era and flows easily from spread to spread.
If you know new parents, grandparents, in fact, the whole mishpocha, I cannot think of a gift that will warm hearts more than Mazel Toes!
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); $18.99, Ages 2-6)
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From the Publisher:
A must-have for any nursery! This bestselling series adds another charming picture book that imagines creatures all across the animal kingdom as kiddos showing affection to their mamas – making it the perfect purchase for Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day or any time of year.
Review:
What fun young animals have getting ready to share their love on Mother’s Day! This latest picture book in the popular If Animals Kissed Goodnight series by Ann Whitford Paul and David Walker inspires all the oohs! and ahhs! just like all the previous books have done with a gentle pastel palette, adorable animals, and a lilting rhyme.
Little ones will meet Wombat, Cat, Koala, Quokka, Kookaburra, Magpie, Wallaby, and myriad other animals found in Australia, some better known than others. But Wombat mama and Wombat baby make the most appearances, all delightful, I might add. Whether creating a Mother’s Day card, digging deep into a burrow, or a cute baby thoughtfully waiting for its mama “who moved at a much slower gait,” and finally picking flowers for a colorful bouquet, Wombat Mama and Wombat Baby are an endearing pair.
What works especially well is how Whitford Paul has subtly included *factual information that complements her rhyme, such as what the kookaburra likes to eat above. I’d never heard of a quokka (a small wallaby), but now I know that the native Banksia tree provides these marsupials with shelter and sustenance in the south-west region of Western Australia. Are you familiar with the reptile known as a skink? They can be found throughout Australia. The swooping hawk in Walker’s art is only one of the many predators this lizard must watch out for.
Treat children to a copy of If Animals Said I Love You, Mama, a sweet read that highlights the special mother-baby bond this holiday joyfully celebrates.
*NOTE: My curiosity prompted me to research the flora and fauna info for further details when I described the Banksia tree and quokka.
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.
“In 1924, an audience of more than one million listeners across the world listened in amazement to the first live radio broadcast of a nightingale accompanying the young cellist Beatrice Harrison.”
From Booklist:
“A gentle gem of a story [with] charming ink-and-watercolor illustrations . . . A delightful introduction to a lesser-known life, and a welcome reminder of the wonder that exists in the natural world.”
Review:
Beatrice Harrison grew up surrounded by music: in her home, through her father’s regimental band …
even in nature. But nothing stirred her heart quite like the cello. So when her mother brought one home, Beatrice practiced and practiced, dreaming of the day she would share its music with the world.
By 17, she had won Germany’s highest musical prize. She went on to share music throughout Europe and Russia, even playing for the President of the United States.
One day, while practicing in her garden, a nightingale joined Beatrice, lending its voice whenever she stopped playing. Night after night, the pair performed, sparking an idea in Beatrice’s mind. What if everyone could hear their duet?
Beatrice struggled to convince the BBC of the merits of her plan—broadcasting her nature concert live on the radio—but eventually she did, and her concert was a huge success! For 12 years, the BBC recorded Beatrice’s annual concert with the nightingale and aired it to their worldwide audience.
Charming watercolor illustrations bring Beatrice and the Nightingale, this nonfiction biography by Patricia Newman and Isabelle Follath to life. Best known for her nonfiction STEM titles, Sibert Honor recipient Newman expands her repertoire with this STEAM-tastic book, highlighting the connection between music and science, while Follath’s whimsical conceptualization of musical sounds further marries that connection. As per usual, Newman’s extensive backmatter and teacher’s guide make this book perfect for the classroom—especially during Women’s History Month.
-Reviewed by Roxanne Troup
Please see below for links to more reviews from previous Women’s History Months.
Today I am a Hamantasch: A Poem for Purim, Purim Baskets, and Purim Possibilities
(PJ PUBLISHING)
PURIM IS ALMOST HERE!
Welcome to this year’s special Purim roundup, featuring three new Purim board books that launched on February 1.
All three bookswere published by PJ Publishing (scroll down for more details) and are being sent to PJ Library families. They also became available for purchase from Amazon on that date for non-PJ Library families. These delightful board books reflect PJ Library’s commitment to bringing a love of Jewish books to young children. According to author Nancy Churnin, “As a new grandmother (of two!) I can personally attest to how important board books are for bonding and sharing Jewish joy.”
One of the most fun parts of the Purim holiday for the littlest family members is dressing up. Costumes can be from the millennia-old Purim story, or they can be similar to those children wear at Halloween. Whatever kids end up wearing, they’ll get excited when they see what these three cute characters choose.
Presented in an accessible, bouncy rhyme, Today I am a Hamantasch is sure to keep kids coming back for more readings.
Today I am a Hamantasch or Maybe I’m a Tree. I might just be Queen Esther, But tomorrow I’ll be me.
Die-cuts on the animals’ faces help children see how each cheerful creature looks in assorted costumes. Then, once Purim is over, and accompanied by the text, “Tomorrow I’ll be me,” the animals revert to their “normal” selves. Between the gentle pastel tones and the adorable animals and their colorful costumes, such as a grogger, a mermaid, a cupcake, and King Achashverosh, this 16-page board book is going to be eaten up!
Babies and toddlers will be treated to gentle rhyme that conveys the unexpected contents of Purim baskets for animals. Also known as “shalach manot” in Yiddish or “mishloach manot” in Hebrew, these baskets are usually filled with food items and given to loved ones, friends, and neighbors, as well as for charity. However, the bevy of baskets described here are not intended for humans! Many baskets no longer just contain food. In fact, adding these books to a Purim basket would be a thoughtful idea!
Always keeping youngsters guessing, Churnin’s page turns promise a chance to guess what will come next. For example, can readers figure out what animal will be rewarded with this basket?:
Soft, bright yarn and tinkling bells piled on a cozy mat.
That’s because these Purim treats are for a cuddly …
Schimler-Safford’s warm illustrations, with their collage-like cut art style that capture the playful tone of the book, pair perfectly with the upbeat rhyme. Purim Baskets is a welcome addition to any family’s Purim collection.
Let’s talk about all the possible Purim costumes a child can wear for the annual holiday festivities. And believe me, there are plenty! Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers, this rollicking rhyming board book opens with a diverse crew of characters and introduces the celebration by featuring the megillah scroll and other Purim-centric items on the first spread. The book then homes in on the happy main character, who children will follow as she takes immense joy in carefully picking out her Purim costume. Along with her is a darling dachshund who joins in the fun.
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It’s Purim! It’s Purim! I’ll join the parade! I’ll wear a cool costume— a fun masquerade.
The child tries on a bunch of costumes and accessories, showing young readers that for Purim, anything goes! As I mentioned in the Today I am a Hamantasch review above, costumes do not have to follow any rules. Children can dress up as Purim characters described in the Scroll of Esther, or wear Halloween-type costumes: a pirate, a robot, a rock star, a train engineer, a queen, and a baker. Even a superhero! The best part is that anything goes. That’s why when the little girl decides to be a little bit of everything, it works so well. And why not? It’s Purim! Avgustinovich brings whimsy and vibrance to the illustrations. I love the character’s big eyes and the variety of poses she assumes as she contemplates the colorful costumes.
Best of all, readers can choose from a collection of costume stickers to try on or hang in the closet with its awaiting hangers. A note in the back explains that the reusable stickers give kids a way to use their creativity as they imagine all the Purim Possibilities for the character (and perhaps themselves) to dress up for their next Purim masquerade. I’ve called dibs on that boa!
Purim retells a dramatic 2,500 year-old story: A young Jewish woman named Esther unexpectedly becomes queen of the vast Persian empire. Soon after, an evil minister named Haman makes a plot to wipe out the Jews. Esther overcomes fear and adversity to save the Jewish community from disaster. On Purim, Jews read this story of resilience and identity triumphing over hatred. Jewish families celebrate community and friendship in joyful ways, including by wearing funny costumes, making noise using noisemakers, and sharing baskets full of treats. Purim is known as a “wacky” holiday where everything gets turned upside down.
PJ Library’s updated Purim hub (at pjlibrary.org/Purim) features everything families need to learn about and celebrate the holiday in ways that resonate for them. Find activities, recipes, costume ideas, and family-friendly story explanations for kids of all ages. Additionally, PJ Library’s Get Together Microgrant makes it easy for families to host a Purim-themed gatherings by offering subscriber families in North America a microgrant of $100 to host a Purim-themed event. Whether hamantaschen baking, costume party-hosting, or making mishloach manot for people with less, these grants enable families to engage in holidays in fun, hands-on ways.
ABOUT PJ LIBRARY:
PJ Library inspires joyful Jewish experiences by sending free storybooks and activities to families with children ages 0-12 and offering ways to connect with community. The program was founded in 2005 by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF) and, with the support of generous donors and partners, now distributes more than 650,000 books in seven languages to children in over 40 countries every month. The PJ Library family experience is built around the monthly storybooks and also includes family-focused holiday guides and other free gifts. Anyone who visits PJ Library’s website can hear original storytelling podcasts and explore a vast collection of Jewish parenting resources. The program welcomes families across the diversity of Jewish life.
PJ Publishing is PJ Library’s publishing imprint. Launched in 2014, the imprint has produced more than 60 English-language editions of kid-friendly Jewish-themed books. A full catalog is available at pjlibrary.org/pj-publishing.
Learn more or sign up for monthly children’s books at pjlibrary.org.
Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it, especially when you’ve been making it very clear you want love to stay away! Love Finds a Way, a sweet picture book by Vern Kousky, demonstrates that point beautifully.
Oscar, a bird, is determined to keep love at bay. In fact, he worries about it so much that he is compelled to find a way to protect himself. It’s clear he’s already loved by the squirrels, whom he rebuffs. There are several scenes in which the animals are shown carrying flowers, but love is not for him.
After trying “one thing after another,” Oscar gets a dog he names Brutus; he is certain he’s found a surefire way to scare off any love interest. Brutus proved to be so good at what he did, and so Oscar counted on him more than he knew. Readers will enjoy seeing Brutus learn what it takes to keep Oscar safe, but they may already suspect, before Oscar does, that the dog has become much more than a guard dog.
So, when Brutus goes missing from his routine patrol, Oscar cannot bear it. Has Oscar realized that he loves the dog? When at last Brutus returns, Oscar knows that something has changed. There’s no denying that, despite all his efforts to stave off love, Oscar’s love for Brutus has blossomed into a meaningful friendship. Once he acknowledges that, he’s free to welcome love in all its delightful forms. Throughout the book, the adorable illustrations convey Oscar’s growing love for Brutus, whether he admits it or not. I think if this book had no text, readers would still be able to understand Kousky’s heartwarming story. The joyful experience of watching how unexpected love and friendship find Oscar makes this a rewarding read for Valentine’s Day. Kids will be happy you shared Love Finds a Way with them!
“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.
Thanksgiving gets a fresh and friendly new look in this heartwarming picture book that celebrates the joy of friendship and community—at a table where all are welcome.
Capture the true essence of Thanksgiving through the lens of friendship and togetherness in this joyful and inclusive celebration of the holiday.
With its rhythmic text and vibrant illustrations, this book shows readers how family takes on many forms, as friends, neighbors, and relatives arrive for a busy day of cooking, crafting, sharing, and celebration. It also shows young readers how to remember and honor those who must work on the holiday so that others might celebrate, including transit workers and first responders.
This book is an ideal choice for friends and families who open their hearts and homes to everyone, cherishing the spirit of community and togetherness, and the simple pleasures of coming together over a meal.
INTERVIEW:
GoodReadsWithRonna: Welcome to the blog for the first time, Marcie. This interview is way overdue, so I’m excited to ask you a host of questions in honor of your latest picture book, Happy Friendsgiving: A Thanksgiving Celebration of Found Families, illustrated by Laura Sandoval Herrera.
GRWR: Talk about a feel-good book! I really enjoyed HAPPY FRIENDSGIVING! It’s a timeless story that I can see kids wanting to read every holiday, and maybe even be inspired to ask their families to rethink their Thanksgiving plans in the future.
Reading Happy Friendsgiving filled me with such joy because it described exactly the kind of get-together that my family and I have attended over the years, though not quite as large.Have you ever participated in a celebration similar to the special one you’ve written about in this story?
Marcie Colleen: Thanksgiving hasn’t always been a holiday when I could travel—especially when I lived in New York City. I often had to work the Friday after, which meant there just wasn’t enough time to fly home. Because of that, Friendsgiving became my tradition. I’d gather with friends and neighbors, and sometimes I’d even host atmy apartment.
Some of my closest friendships actually started at those gatherings—meeting new people around someone else’s table, sharing food and laughter, and realizing by dessert that we’d be in each other’s lives for years. Those celebrations always felt incredibly cozy: mismatched chairs pulled from every room, everyone bringing a dish, and that warm sense of belonging that builds when people show up for one another.
That feeling is really what inspired Happy Friendsgiving. The book is my love letter to the years when we created our own version of the holiday—one filled with community, gratitude, and the joy of making a place for everyone at the table.
GRWR: I love how your picture book focuses on found families and inclusivity. For multiple reasons, it can often be hard to find people to celebrate with. As Happy Friendsgiving beautifully conveys, welcoming friends, neighbors, and even those we don’t know very well provides an opportunity to build community while sharing gratitude. Did you feel a book like this was needed to show children the importance of opening up our hearts and homes? Are there other takeaways you’d like young readers to get from this book?
MC: Absolutely. I think so many of us—kids and grown-ups alike—know what it feels like when a holiday doesn’t look or feel the way we hoped. Friendsgiving, at its heart, is about creating belonging wherever you are and with whoever is around you. I wanted to show that family can be something you’re born into and something you build, one invitation or act of kindness at a time.
My hope is that young readers come away with a sense of warmth and possibility—that they see how small gestures (saving someone a seat, sharing food, making space at the table) can make a big difference. And maybe they’ll be inspired to start their own traditions, especially if their holidays look a little different from what they see in books or on TV.
Ultimately, I hope children feel seen, included, and empowered to create the kind of community they want. If Happy Friendsgiving helps a reader feel less alone—or helps them welcome someone else in—that feels like success to me.
GRWR: The folksy illustrations shout autumn, my favorite season. They’re warm, inviting, and I wanted to jump into many of the spreads. Is there one that resonates with you most of all?
MC: I love the parade spread. It brings me right back to the years when my family and I went to the Macy’s parade. It was always so chilly, but there’s nothing quite like a parade to bring out that child-like sense of excitement and wonder. The music, the floats, the crowds all bundled up, and of course the moment when Santa arrives at the end—it felt magical every single time.
We’d huddle together with the masses, cheering and ooh-ing and aah-ing. One year, my mom pulled homemade turkey-shaped sugar cookies out of her purse to share with us, because she knew we’d get hungry with all that standing around. Moms always know.
That spread captures for me the coziness, the anticipation, and the shared joy of being surrounded by a community of people who are all celebrating. It feels like stepping right into one of my favorite memories and makes me crave Mom’s sugar cookies.
GRWR: When the meal ends, what is your holiday ritual: watch sports, go outside for a stroll in nature, play a board game, work on a puzzle, or do something else?
MC:I almost always go for a walk after the meal.
When I lived in New York, I loved wandering through my neighborhood after Friendsgiving, passing stoops decorated with pumpkins, seeing people gathered around their tables through glowing apartment windows, and feeling part of this bigger tapestry of celebration.
These days, our walks are around the neighborhood and often into Balboa Park. That little stroll lets me stretch my legs, appreciate the coziness of the holiday, and reflect on the people I’ve just shared a table with. It’s the perfect way to end the day—quiet, grateful, and connected to the world around me.
GRWR: Two Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving truths and a lie, please.
MC: I was once part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and even got to attend the rehearsal the night before.
One year, I invited someone to Friendsgiving that I’d only met once because they didn’t have anywhere else to go.
I once accidentally burned the entire Thanksgiving meal and we ended up eating only pie for dinner.
GRWR: Pumpkin pie or pecan pie; mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole; canned cranberry sauce or homemade; cornbread or dinner rolls?
MC:Not really a failure” but last year I discovered—on Thanksgiving morning—that the turkey breast I planned to cook in my crockpot (my favorite method because it turns out so moist!) was far too large to fit. There was no amount of angling or wedging that was going to make it work.
So I did what any panicked holiday cook would do: I sent out an SOS to my neighbors. Thankfully, someone down the block had a much larger crockpot and was more than happy to lend it. Crisis averted!
It ended up being a perfect reminder that sometimes the best part of the holiday is how everyone pitches in—whether it’s sharing food, sharing space, or, in this case, sharing a very large crockpot.
GRWR: Most memorable Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving and why?
MC:One of my most precious memories began in 2020, at the height of lockdown. That Thanksgiving, one of our neighbors baked fresh bread for everyone on our block and delivered it door to door. It was such a simple act, but after months of isolation, it felt like a lifeline. That gesture ended up sparking something beautiful and connected us all.
In 2021, as things slowly opened up, our block naturally started celebrating every birthday and holiday together—outdoors, distanced at first, but together. Kids, pets, grown-ups, new neighbors, longtime residents—it became this wonderfully mixed, diverse little community looking out for one another.
So when Thanksgiving 2021 arrived, it felt only right to celebrate what we had found. We set up a long Friendsgiving table right in a driveway. Everyone brought their favorite dish—different cultures, traditions, and flavors all represented. Neighbors who had barely exchanged more than a wave before 2020 were now swapping recipes and telling stories.
That gathering felt like pure gratitude in motion. We weren’t just sharing food—we were celebrating the community we had built, right outside our front doors. Moments like that absolutely inspire the spirit of Happy Friendsgiving.
GRWR: If you could invite anyone, from the past or present day, to join you at your next Friendsgiving gathering, who would it be?
MC:My dad. We lost him in early 2021, and because of the pandemic, I wasn’t able to say goodbye. What I wouldn’t give to share even one more meal with him—to hear his laugh, to have him sitting at the table, to feel that familiar sense of comfort.
Friendsgiving, for me, is all about gathering the people who make you feel at home, whether they’re family by blood or by choice. My dad loved good food and good company, and he had a way of making everyone around him feel welcome.
Inviting him would be a reminder of how important it is to cherish the people we love, and how meaningful it can be to share a table together, even for just one more meal.
GRWR: Is there anything you’d like to add that I did not ask?
MC: Just a thank-you for spending time with Happy Friendsgiving. It means a lot and I hope readers feel the same joy in reading it that I felt in writing it.
GRWR: A huge thank you to Marcie for her candor today and for writing this heartwarming story. I hope you’ll pick up a copy for your family and another one to share if you’re able to.
Marcie Colleen Photo Credit: Roxyanne Young
BIO: Marcie Colleen is the author of Happy Friendsgiving and numerous acclaimed books for young readers, including Penguinaut!, Love, Triangle, The Bear’s Garden, and Survivor Tree. Her writing spans picture books, chapter books, and comics, such as the Super Happy Party Bears series and the serialized comics Kitten Ninja and Time Buddies. No matter the format, her stories reflect a deep love of community, creativity, and joyful connection. For more information about Marcie’s projects, visit www.thisismarciecolleen.com.
How the Scientist, Writer, and Nature Lover Changed the Environmental Movement
Written by Kate Hannigan
Illustrated by Katie Hickey
(Calkins Creek; $18.99; Ages 7-10)
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
“This STEAM picture book biography highlights how scientist and writer Rachel
Carson became the author of the groundbreaking book Silent Spring and the mother of the modern
environmental movement.”
From Kirkus Reviews: “A soaring tribute to the perceptive naturalist and writer who jump-started the
modern environmental movement.”
REVIEW:
In the early 1960s, author and environmentalist Rachel Carson spurred readers to action in her book Silent Spring, which called out the deadliness of DDT and similar chemicals. But before writing that bestseller, Rachel loved exploring the outdoors with all her senses.
She shared her awe of the natural world through poetry and magazine stories before studying science in college. Though Carson did not finish school, she began writing for the Bureau of Fisheries, combining her poet’s eye with the science she learned in college.
In time, Carson began publishing books about the wonders of the natural world and sharing that love with her nephew. But after World War II, Carson’s wonder turned to worry. The suburban housing boom led to the loss of forests, and urbanization meant fewer people growing their own food. Farmers turned to chemical herbicides and pesticides to boost production. But were such chemicals safe for wildflowers, animals, and humans?
Again, Carson turned to her writing—this time with a warning for readers. And though she lived to see her book published, she would not live to see its impact. Because of Silent Spring, the US government ordered a review of pesticide policy, which ultimately led to the banning of some chemicals. And it inspired other efforts to protect the Earth, including Earth Day, which we continue to celebrate to this day.
I recommend this beautifully illustrated nonfiction biography by Kate Hannigan and Katie Hickey, which honors the “mother of the environmental movement.” Sprinkled with Carson’s own words, this book encourages readers to experience nature as Rachel Carson did—with each of their senses—while Hickey’s layered art effectively showcases the color and wonder of nature. A timely and important read for a new generation of caretakers for our planet. e
For decades, advocate and teacher Opal Lee fought to give Juneteenth the recognition it deserves. In 2021, her hard work and dedication came to fruition when the U.S. government, under President Joe Biden, officially recognized Juneteenth as a holiday. Author Andrea Underwood Petifersaw the recognition as an opportunity to educate both young children and adults about the history behind June 19th, which inspired her newly released children’s book, The Juneteenth Alphabet, with illustrations by Ana Latese.
Creating a story that explains 200 years of slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation that was meant to end all slavery, and the resistance of Texas to follow through with freeing the slaves for over two years is a lot for children (and quite honestly, adults) to grasp. Petifer has articulated the complexity in an alphabet book that breaks down the history from A to Z, starting with A is for Album (photo album that is) and Ancestors, and ending with Z is for Zeal, “an eagerness to endure after hearing no. It is brave, it is hope, it is joy, it is determination.”
Before the reader dives into the alphabet story, Petifer opens with the background of Juneteenth and how it’s regarded in African American communities as the second Independence Day. Four million African American people were not thought of when the Declaration of Independence was created, so this holiday celebrates the troops from the Union Army arriving in Galveston, Texas, two and a half years after independence was declared to free the remaining slaves.
Illustrator Ana Latese creates full-color jubilant art that beautifully complements the story using Procreate, iPad Pro, or Apple Pencil. The spreads feature brown and black hands held high, a red, white, and blue Juneteenth flag flown, and the African American community smiling while parading in the streets as gospel singers belt out the hymn Happy Day drawn above H is for Happy.
One of my favorite items in this book is the fact/info bubbles. The reader is asked to turn to their child and discuss questions that pertain to the topic on the page. Underneath the letter H, the bubble asks, “What are you feeling?” and then asks the child to share their thoughts with the reader. I think introducing social and emotional learning is a great way for kids to better understand this challenging and complex time in history. J is for Joy explains that when we express joy, we take back our story. Great words of wisdom!
Representing the letter O, Opal Lee, dressed in bright purple, stands at a podium with the White House behind her as she petitions the government to recognize the holiday. And, of course, the reader turns the page to S is for the Sounds of Songs that are Sweet and Savory; while T is for Talents and Traditions. Black rodeos, parades, and poetry readings prove there is more than just pain to the story.
The Juneteenth Alphabet concludes with a brief summary of terms (there are A LOT of new words for young readers). Children learn the meaning behind Equality, the quality of being the same. This was a very informative book, and I have to admit, I learned a lot about Juneteenth history that I was unaware of before reading this picture book. Parents can share this book over and over again, explaining the past while teaching their children the importance of treating all people the same. Latese creates a banner that reads “Fight for the Future,” and I think those are imperative words to ponder on June 19th. Happy Juneteenth, everyone!
The story follows Brendan, Landon and Sommer—three kids in the neighborhood who help their lesbian neighbors hang up a rainbow flag over their porch. When they visit their neighbors the next day, they notice the flag has been ripped down and the house of Cari and Louri egged. ‘How could this happen in our neighborhood?’ everyone seems to want to know.
Angry about the hate crime, the kids imagine possible solutions—some that I think we all will have at times of helplessness and frustration—including finding the culprits and egging their house as revenge (I truly appreciated these moments, as it’s not just something kids could relate to, but also adult readers who can lead by their immediate angry emotions into doing something violent).
The solution the kids come up with is beautiful and demonstrates how love can triumph over evil if good people stand together in their love for one another rather than giving in to hate and revenge. I love that this is a true story—and I admire that the protagonists of the picture book themselves aren’t queer. The message that you don’t have to belong to a group to care for that group and stand with them in times of danger and trouble was particularly poignant.
The art in this book is spectacular. Colorful palate, expressive, animated drawings (incredible as all the characters have ‘dot’ eyes, the illustrated still manages to pull off quick nuanced emotions), and showcasing diversity in every page – not only the inclusion of every pride flag, but also in the people (Jewish kid with kippah playing basketball was a welcomed surprise for this Jewish reviewer, but I was also awed by the multiple hijabis, disability inclusion, racial/country origin diversity!)
Back matter explains not only the real story behind the picture book, but also connects it to an antisemitic incident in Montana, demonstrating that hate looks familiar no matter who the target is, but love for one another can bring communities together.
Thank you to Beaming Books for sending me a copy of the book. I will be including it in my classroom library.
Author Deke Moulton
BIO:
DEKE MOULTON (she/her) (rhymes with ‘geek’) is a writer currently living in the US Pacific Northwest. She is a former US Army drill sergeant and trained as an Arabic linguist during her time in service. Don’t Want to Be Your Monster, her debut book, won the Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor Awards and was named one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Middle Grades of 2023. Her follow up, Benji Zeb is a Ravenous Werewolf, is a Sydney Taylor Notable Book and a Jewish Book Council middle grade finalist. She is represented by Rena Rossner with the Deborah Harris Literary Agency. Find out more about Deke on her website: Middle Grad Kidlit Author | Deke Moultonand on Instagram at @dekewritesstuff.
We’re delighted that Maureen Palacios, owner of the nation’s oldest children’s bookshop, Once Upon a Time Bookstore, an independent bookseller in Montrose, California, has curated this Father’s Day Books trio for our blog. Stop in and meet the warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable staff if you live nearby. If you’re not local, order online. Purchase links are provided in red.
#1 DAD (a Mugs & Kisses book) Written and illustrated by Teresa Bonaddio
(Little Bee Books; $9.99, Ages 0-3) 9781499817171
This is a perfect board book for a toddler with its die-cut pages in the form of a mug. It has colorful graphic-style affirmations (SUPER DAD, #1 DAD) and fits right in the hands of a small and curious toddler. What a terrific book for the youngest child!
Local author Canterbury has a great picture book series called My Life Is Weird!, and this second title (others are My Mom is a Mermaid! and My Teacher is a Dinosaur!) is about a dad who is a unicorn. He outwits bad guys with glitter bombs, flies away (just in time) from the fire-breathing dragon, comes home to a lasagna dinner, and then has a wonderful sparkle bath to rest up. This is pure silliness told with gentle warmth and energetic illustrations, plus the book comes with stickers. A real winner!
DAD JOKES: The Cheesiest, Corniest Joke Book Ever
(Highlights; $9.99, Ages 6-9) 9781639621538
This book, “packed with over 900 jokes” and puns, may be more for children than dads, but laughs are guaranteed regardless of your age! Kids can never get enough of corny, silly jokes, meaning it’s SURE to be a winner with kids (and their grown-ups). How can you resist a book chock-full of groan-worthy jokes? A Father’s Day gift to crack up even the most joke-averse reader, so add it to your joke book collection today.
“Why was the mummy upset? … She made a grave error.” Cheesy, right?
This illustrated collection of heartfelt letters is about the many beautiful hopes and dreams that fathers have for their children. A perfect gift for any dad!
When you grow up, I hope you…
…let your smile change the world …feel you are loved, in every cell of your body …learn how to help those who need a hand
Eighteen dads from different walks of life took turns finishing that sentence. Some of them expressed hope that their children would dream big and be kind. Others wanted their kids to have love and respect for themselves and others.
A charming picture book about unconditional love from New York Times bestselling author Chasten Buttigieg, perfect for Father’s Day and for families who love each other the whole year through.
Jojo and Rosie’s papa has been away on a trip, and they can’t wait to welcome him home! They make signs, they pick flowers, and with Daddy’s help, they bake a cake and pack the car with absolutely everything Papa might have missed while he was away.
When Papa’s plane arrives, they give him a huge hug—but when they bring him to the car, they realize there’s one small problem: Where will Papa sit?
Delightfully illustrated by Dan Taylor, this charming story filled with love celebrates dads and familial bonds. Chasten Buttigieg shines a beautiful light on the humorous musings of toddlers and a parent’s unconditional love for their child.
Silas and Great-Grandma Faye always end their video calls with “See you soon!” Great-Grandma Faye says that Havdalah, which separates Shabbat from the rest of the week, is like saying “See you soon!” to Shabbat. She shows Silas a spice box made by his great-grandpa, who used to say, “Havdalah is the time between Shabbat and ordinary days, when we get to feel both kinds of magic at the same time.” Great-Grandma Faye suggests she and Silas make Havdalah together over the internet until they can be together again. Silas makes his own spice box. When Great-Grandma Faye finally comes to visit, they say Havdalah with both spice boxes.
GUEST POST BY AUTHOR PAMELA EHRENBERG:
It’s such an honor to be here as a guest on Good Reads with Ronna—thank you so much for having me!
When I realized that your blog celebrated its 13th (b’nai mitzvah!) year sometime during the pandemic (belated mazel tov!), it made me think about all the ways that different cultures and traditions have come up with for keeping people connected—even in our world where so often we’re pulled by opportunities and experiences to end up living far away from people we love.
The See-You-Soon Spice Boxis a modern take on a boy and his great-grandma who meet every week over video call for the Jewish ceremony of Havdalah, which is about saying goodbye (or “see you soon,” until next week!) to the Sabbath.
As a single parent (like the dad in The See-You-Soon Spice Box!), I had many years where in-person connections, especially with far-away friends and family, were super-difficult to schedule. And I think the pandemic made clear that there are a lot of people, for all sorts of reasons—disability, caregiving, job responsibilities, the challenges of life!—who can’t connect in person as often as we’d like.
But the pandemic also reminded us that connections helped by technology are nonetheless real connections with real humans. And that’s one of the wonderful things you’ve done all these years with your blog: you’ve connected creators at all stages of our creative journeys—pre-published, published, re-published, and those of us facing all kinds of uncertainties as we wonder what the next step will bring—and connected us with readers, who have realized all along that stories are one of the main ways that humans have always connected with one another.
At the end of The See-You-Soon Spice Box, when the great-grandma travels for an in-person visit, I think it’s a happy time for the family, to be able to connect in person. But I don’t think it changes their relationships, from the already-strong connections they’ve built across distances. Sometimes I forget that you and I haven’t yet met in person, since your blog makes me feel like I know you so well, even though we live 3000 miles away! Thank you so much for everything you do to keep readers, writers, illustrators, and stories connected in spite of everything!!
BUY THE BOOK:
Click this Bookshop.org link to purchase The See-You-Soon Spice Box or purchase a copy at your favorite independent bookseller.
Pamela Ehrenberg Photo Credit: Alexandra Taylor
BIOGRAPHY:
Pamela Ehrenberg’s previous picture books include Queen of the Hanukkah Dosas and Planting Parsley. Her middle-grade novel Detour Ahead (co-authored with Tracy López) was a National Jewish Book Award finalist. She and her children live in Washington, D.C., and she can be found online at www.pamelaehrenberg.com, and on Instagram & FB: @PamelaEhrenbergAuthor
THE SWEETEST ROSH HASHANAH
STELLA’S SPECIAL RECIPE: A Rosh Hashanah Story
ROXANNE’S BIO:
JENNIFER’S BIO:
Welcome to this year’s special Purim roundup, featuring three new Purim board books that launched on February 1.
