The Whole Megillah- Author’s Notebook | Leslea NewmanLesléa Newman introduced herself to me after my Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) panel on “The Whole Megillah: The Jewish Experience in Children’s Books.” I was so honored to meet her and we discussed an interview for this … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Two-in-One Notebook Special | Author Leanne Lieberman and Editor Sarah Harvey, Lauren Yanofsky Hates the HolocaustThe Whole Megillah caught up with Leanne Liebermann and her editor Sarah Harvey to talk about the new YA novel, Lauren Yanovsky Hates the Holocaust (Orca, 2013, 240 pp.). The Whole Megillah (TWM): What was your motivation for approaching the … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Illustrator’s Notebook | Ann D. Koffsky, Thank You for Me!The Whole Megillah (TWM): How did the opportunity to illustrate Thank You for Me! come about? Ann Koffsky (AK): Rick Recht, a well-known Jewish musician, had a hit song, “Kobi’s Lullaby,” which he wanted to make into a children’s book. … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Four-in-One Author’s Notebook | A Cyber Roundtable about Writing Jewish Children’s BooksAt the 2011 Highlights Foundation workshop, “Writing Jewish-themed Children’s Books,” I had the pleasure of meeting four talented writers: Lois Barr, Marcia Berneger, Dede Fox, and Joan Seliger Sidney. I’d like to introduce them to you through this interview. The … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | Austin Ratner, In the Land of the LivingAs a representative of the Association of Jewish Libraries, I had the unique opportunity to interview Austin Ratner about his new novel. His previous novel, Jump Artist, received the Jewish Book Council Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature in 2011. Barbara … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Attention Illustrators! Announcing The Whole Megillah Illustration ContestDear Illustrators, Finally, a contest for you! Enter The Whole Megillah Illustration Contest. How? Just send in a JPG of your finest Jewish-themed artwork and win a copy of The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats. You … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Winners of the 2013 The Whole Megillah Picture Book Contest AnnouncedMazel tov to the winners of the 2013 The Whole Megillah Picture Book Contest: Grand Prize Winner: Joan Seliger Sidney, Elsa’s Pillow Finalists: Ellen Emerman, Where Is the Tzedakah Box? Michael Herman, The Secret of the Sabbath Stew Honorable Mention: … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | Maryann MacDonald, Odette’s SecretsMaryann MacDonald is the author of the newly published Odette’s Secrets (Bloomsbury), the story of a young Jewish girl in France forced into hiding during World War II. The Whole Megillah (TWM): What drove you to write this book in … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Poet’s Notebook | Jewish Poets You Should Know | AWP 2013 ReportI had the privilege of attending the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) in Boston last weekend. After a lovely breakfast with Northampton Poet Laureate and award-winning children’s book author, Rich Michelson, I was excited to attend my first … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author Notebook | Jordan Sonnenblick, CurveballThe Whole Megillah (TWM): When did you know you wanted to write? Jordan Sonnenblick (JS): Oh, I’ve known forever. Everyone on my mom’s side of the family was a writer, and I wanted in! My maternal grandfather, Solomon Feldman was an … Continue reading →Barbara Krasner
- Author’s Notebook | Leslea Newman
Monthly Archives: June 2010
A History of Jewish Children’s Books—Part One
This is the first installment of a multi-part series, adapted from a talk given by Lisa Silverman, Blumenthal Library Director of the Sinai Temple, Los Angeles on May 23, 2010 at the Highlights Foundation Workshop, “Writing Jewish-themed Books for Children.” … Continue reading
First Annual New York Sephardic Jewish Book Fair
I was excited to see this press release, passed on to The Whole Megillah by reader Dorothy Goldstone. I plan to attend. Hope to see you there! First Annual New York Sephardic Jewish Book Fair to be held July 25, … Continue reading
This Month in Jewish History | Let History Inspire Your Writing
Just looking at the list of June events in Jewish history gave me several ideas I might use someday in my writing. They included: June 5–Jews of Canada were accorded equal political rights with Christians, 1832. June 8–Jewish insurgent forces … Continue reading
Book Review: The Righteous Smuggler
The Righteous Smuggler Written by Debbie Spring (Second Story Press, 2005, A Holocaust Remembrance Book for Young Readers) Beginning in 1940 when the Germans occupy Holland, Hendrik Vandinther faces the restrictions, isolation, and ultimate removal of his Jewish friends from … Continue reading
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
I came to Washington, DC for a couple of days to do some onsite research at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) about the St. Louis. In the sweltering heat, I waited outside for the museum to open with several … Continue reading
Making Time to Write in an Impossibly Busy (Jewish) Life
The following comes from guest blogger Pamela Ehrenberg. As we fly out the door to my daughter’s preschool—”Is today the day you need a two-liter bottle/four dollars/a percussion instrument?” I sometimes think of the ancient Israelites, hastening to flee Egypt. … Continue reading
Book Review: Lost
Lost Written by Jacqueline Davies (Marshall Cavendish, 2009) I am a big fan of immigrant novels. My critical thesis in the Vermont MFA Program focused on the immigrant experience in children’s literature. For that work, I compiled a list of … Continue reading
Librarian’s Notebook | Kathe Pinchuck
Kathe Pinchuck, The Whole Megillah‘s June 2010 Librarian of the Month, is the outgoing chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee and that experience has given her a unique perspective on Jewish children’s literature. She is the librarian at … Continue reading
Posted in Librarians
Tagged Holocaust, AJL, Kathe Pinchuck, Sydney Taylor Book Award, All-of-a-Kind Family, Robin Friedman, The Importance of Wings, Mitali Perkins, Katherine Paterson, Eric Kimmel, Jacqueline Jules, Kar-Ben, The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah, Sydney Taylor, Diary of Anne Frank, Elie Wiesel, American Girl Rebecca, Sulamith Ish Kishor, K'tonton, Our Eddie, Boy of Old Prague, Sadie Weilerstein, Jewish holidays
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