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.
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.
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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.
L is for Librarian: The ABCs of Los Angeles Central Library is an Amazing, Beautiful, Captivating, delightful, and Energizing tour of the Los Angeles Central Library. From Awesome Adventures to Zombies in the makerspace, readers of all ages will enjoy this alphabetical exploration of Los Angeles’s beloved icon.
Author Interview:
Welcome to the blog, Susan. It’s an exciting time at L.A.’s Central Library, so it’s wonderful you could join us!
GoodReadsWithRonna: Why did you write L Is for Librarian: The ABCs of Los Angeles Central Library?
Susan Lendroth: For the simple reason that library staff asked me to write it! I have been writing picture books for more than 20 years–this is my 10th book–so the organizers of Central Library’s 100th birthday celebration invited me to create an alphabet book for the centennial year. I wrote it as part of my job since I work for Los Angeles Public Library’s public relations department.
GRWR: How was it different writing a book as part of your “day job,” as opposed to writing one of your previous books?
SL: The first obvious difference is I worked on L Is for Librarian during my “day job” instead of squeezing my writing time into weekends or evenings. Plus, I knew from the start it would be published. What a wonderful feeling that was! I also worked with a small team on this book, who had the right of approval before it even went to the editor. I should add that they gave me free rein on structure, allowing me to make the Library itself the narrator of its story and to create dual-level text—a primary sentence or two for young readers for each letter, with additional facts in a smaller font below.
GRWR: With input from several sources, were there any lively discussions about which feature/aspect would be named for each letter?
SL: About 80% of my original letter subject choices made it to the finish line, with the other 20% being alternate suggestions from the team. I rewrote text for those letters. The “liveliest” discussion centered on the letter “O.” I discovered an octopus carved into a door lintel and fell in love. Others wanted O for Owls, which decorate the building in stone and metal. I won Octopus a place in the book, but the illustrator, Alexander Vidal, added multiple owls anyway, an “I Spy” game where the same stone owl is depicted as an earring or a book cover or one of the spots on a giraffe. The funny thing is, no one told him about the Owl versus Octopus debate!
GRWR: How did you decide on the approach of having Central Library itself narrate the book?
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SL:Whenever I begin a new book, somehow I simply know how I want to structure it; it only works for me if I write it that way. Very early on I felt like Central Library wanted to tell its own story, sharing the building’s attributes and all it had to offer, and that developed into first-person text.
GRWR: Some of the ideas and terms in the book seem a little sophisticated for young children. How did you handle that aspect?
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SL: Our goal was to present a full picture of Central Library, from its physical features to its history to how it serves the community. Whenever possible, I tried to find an angle that would appeal to young children, such as describing interesting animals in art, asking questions, or infusing action into the text: “D is for Down. Ride down, down, down to the bottom floor of the atrium …” Because I wrote the text at two levels, I tried to cover the more complicated elements in the secondary text. Also, I believe children are capable of learning more sophisticated words if those are explained, and pictures help younger readers/listeners grasp new concepts.
GRWR: Illustrators often add elements to a book that are not covered in the text. What are some of the elements added by Alexander Vidal that surprised and pleased you?
SL: The owls, definitely the owls. If you read a copy of the book and search carefully, you will find owls depicted in 18 different places, including a couple of duplicate illustrations on the endpapers. However, there are more actual owls than that because sometimes they repeat in a design!
GRWR: Your publisher, Angel City Press, is owned by Los Angeles Public Library. How did that relationship begin?
SL: A few years back, the couple who created and operated Angel City Press wanted to retire. They had worked for decades building a publishing house that celebrated stories connected to the Los Angeles area and wanted to keep that purpose, as well as the publishing house’s backlist, intact. So they donated Angel City Press to Los Angeles Public Library rather than trying to find a buyer.
GRWR:This is the first children’s book published by ACP. Did they take any special steps to add a children’s book to their list?
SL: Because it was a new endeavor for them, they hired a freelance, experienced children’s editor to review the text and illustrations.
GRWR:ACP released the book recently at Central Library’s Centennial Festival. How has it been received?
SL: The book definitely found a receptive audience with thousands of book and library fans! The publisher sold many copies of L Is for Librarianas well as several other titles. I enjoyed one of my best-ever encounters with a young fan there. A little girl named Evelyn approached the signing table. I complimented her sparkly jewelry and velvet dress, and she told me it was her “library outfit.” Ok, you’ve got my attention. Then, after I inscribed her book and said my writing might be a little hard to read, her father asked Evelyn to tell me what she calls cursive. “Fairy writing.” Awwwww. Definitely, that was one of the highlights of my day, especially when Evelyn ran back to the table a few minutes later and said, “I LOVE your book! It has a zombie in it.” Good old letter Z.
SL: As ever, I’m juggling multiple projects. I have a long list of ideas and a finite number of hours to write, so I’ll see where the road takes me. Though I have to say, writing an alphabet book was fun, and I’d definitely enjoy writing another.
Thank you for giving me the chance to talk about my new book. Proceeds benefit Los Angeles Public Library.
Author Susan Lendroth at Los Angeles Central Library. Photo Credit: Gary Leonard
Bio:
Libraries have been Susan Lendroth’s second home for as long as she can remember, so joining the staff of Los Angeles Public Library a decade ago felt like docking with the mother ship. L Is for Librarian is her tenth picture book, following such titles as Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones, Hey Ho, to Mars We’ll Go! and Maneki Neko: The Tale of the Beckoning Cat. Find Susan on social media here:https://www.instagram.com/susanlendroth/
In her much-lauded new series, Robin Newman has made law and order accessible and enjoyable for second- to fifth-graders. Trial and Error, a punny 64-page graphic novel chapter book, features four animal-populated cases, each a new chapter. The whimsical black-and-white illustrations by Deborah Zemke, who has teamed up with Newman on four previous books, are winners as well. Just check out the book’s cover if you want to get a sense of the humor that’s infused on every page.
Readers are introduced to Sawyer, an ant known as the “Critter Lawyer,” who, from an early age, had a penchant for following rules. Inspired by a bookworm’s advice, Sawyer became a lawyer. Think Lincoln Lawyer as an insect. But in order for this attorney’s career to take off, Sawyer needed clients.
As someone who cares about fairness, I found that Trial and Error resonated with me. Newman does a wonderful job of showing that “rules exist for a reason” through cleverly conceived cases that illustrate what a lawyer does, and the types of cases they handle. That includes taking a case to trial before a judge and working with clients to mediate and negotiate a settlement. Case #1 involves an alleged speeding snail, and readers’ first introduction to Officer Opossum and Judge Wise Owl; Case #2 involves two squabbling squirrels (with a surprise twist); Case #3 involves a hogging hog unhappy about his neatness-obsessed sty-mate who happens to be his twin brother; and Case #4, The Jaywalking Chicken, brings back Officer Opossum. Adding to the pleasure of reading Trial and Error is witnessing the triumphs of savvy Sawyer, whose services are sure to be in demand down the road.
It’s great how varied each case is and how each one touches on different aspects of the law. Newman uses legal terminology sparingly throughout the book, and when she does, it is easy to understand from context (e.g., docket, ordinance, testimony). She then breaks it down in a glossary called Legal Notes. The backmatter also contains an In Brief section explaining the role of a lawyer and how laws and rules have been created “to help people live safely together in communities.” She even applies this to home life and school.
I’m happy that Trial and Error is the first in a new graphic chapter book series, and I look forward to seeing Sawyer return with more critter cases to resolve.
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.
★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.
Award-winning author Sylvia Rouss, who brought joy to picture book readers with her Sammy Spider series, has done it again with The Little Acorn’s Big Adventure, a beautifully written story about the wonders of animals in nature and how we can help our environment.
The rich greens, browns, oranges, and golds of the autumn forest, illustrated by Rick Penn-Kraus, come alive as they serve as the background for an oak tree and a small acorn falling from its branch. As the acorn topples, a black-and-red woodpecker attempts to catch it in his beak, “… but a sudden gust of wind startled the bird, and it dropped the acorn to the forest floor.” And this is where Acorn’s adventure begins.
A chipmunk tries to eat the acorn, but his mouth is too full. (This is what happens when you stuff your cheeks with nuts.) When a bear passes through the forest, the chipmunk scurries up a tree only to watch the bear trample the acorn to the ground. A squirrel appears and digs a hole, covering the acorn with loose soil, leaving it in the ground as autumn turns to winter. You can almost feel the chill in the air as you turn the pages.
Rouss takes the reader through the icy winter weather, showing where the chipmunk, squirrel, and bear sleep. The acorn remains buried in the ground. An earthworm digs a hole, “… making room for its small roots as they began to grow.”Penn-Kraus’s soft colors gently take us from winter to spring. And now we begin to see a sprout growing from the ground, enjoying the rainwater. The lovely interplay of light with the earthy tones resembles a photograph.
The Little Acorn’s Big Adventure concludes with the final season, summer; the woodpecker, bear, squirrel, and chipmunk return to find a growing green tree, ready to begin a new adventure. What a great way to show an acorn’s growth cycle in relation to the seasons.
Rouss’s back matter adds an extra bonus to this story. Broken down into Ten Fun Facts About Oak Trees, Ten Things You Can Do To Help Trees, and Ten Steps To Grow An Acorn, the reader learns that only 1 in 10,000 acorns grow into a tree, and if you plant trees in your garden, you need to make sure they get plenty of water.
Recycling is also essential to saving oak trees. Oak trees keep the air we breathe healthy, and it’s illegal to cut down oak trees in some states. I have oak trees on my property here in California, and it’s my city’s job to trim and maintain these magnificent trees. I also learned what to do when an acorn falls to the ground, and I am now going to make the effort to find fallen acorns and soak them in water before planting them in a pot. Children will not only enjoy the beauty of this book but also learn how we can all help our environment thrive.
If you enjoy this book, I recommend you read An Ooey-Gooeys Adventure: You’re Not Invited! written by Sylvia Rouss and David Titcher.
“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.
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.
