Author Archives: Barbara Krasner

About Barbara Krasner

History writer and award-winning author Barbara Krasner writes Jewish-themed poetry, articles, nonfiction books, and novels for children and adults.

The Whole Megillah Illustration Contest | Announcing the Winners

Jewish-themed Illustration Contest Names Winners The results are in from contest judge, Anna Olswanger. Thanks to all of you who submitted your artwork to The Whole Megillah Illustration Contest. Judging criteria included the ability of the illustration to: Tell a … Continue reading

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Author’s Notebook | Leslea Newman

Lesléa 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

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Two-in-One Notebook Special | Author Leanne Lieberman and Editor Sarah Harvey, Lauren Yanofsky Hates the Holocaust

The 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

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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

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Four-in-One Author’s Notebook | A Cyber Roundtable about Writing Jewish Children’s Books

At 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

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Author’s Notebook | Austin Ratner, In the Land of the Living

As 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

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Attention Illustrators! Announcing The Whole Megillah Illustration Contest

Dear 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

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Winners of the 2013 The Whole Megillah Picture Book Contest Announced

Mazel 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

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Author’s Notebook | Maryann MacDonald, Odette’s Secrets

Maryann 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

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Poet’s Notebook | Jewish Poets You Should Know | AWP 2013 Report

I 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

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