Sharing Shalom, Interview with author Danielle Sharkan + a GIVEAWAY!

Today on the blog, I am absolutely honored to interview author Danielle Sharkan about her gorgeous, timely, and important book, SHARING SHALOM, illustrated by Selina Alko. It releases on Sept. 17^th with Holiday House. 

The story is about a little girl who is very proud of her Jewish identity, customs and traditions until someone purposefully destroys her family’s synagogue in a hateful act of antisemitism. This is a topic that, sadly, is extremely timely, as acts of antisemitism are (and have been) on a steep rise in this country and around the world, even before the horrific terrorist attacks in Israel on Oct. 7^th. 

I relate so much to Leila, both as being a child who felt different for being Jewish in a town that didn’t have many Jews, and now as an adult, worried that being Jewish may cause some people to hate me even when they know nothing about who I really am — or worse, despite already knowing who I really am. I relate to how Leila wants to “blend in” so that no one knows she’s Jewish. So many Jewish kids (and adults) are dealing with this right now. They struggle to be proud of who they are and yet also want to be sure they don’t stand out too much and risk becoming a target of hate or violence. 

I love that in the end of SHARING SHALOM (spoiler alert), Leila’s community comes together to help repair the synagogue and Leila feels like she is accepted for being herself. The book beautifully shows children how, while some people choose to bring ugliness and hate into the world, others choose to bring helpfulness, empathy and tolerance.

And now, here’s my interview with Danielle….

RGL: Danielle, thank you for writing such a beautiful book to help parents and teachers discuss antisemitism with children in a very tangible and accessible way. I understand from your author’s note that this story is based on an incident that occurred at your family’s synagogue in Skokie, IL in 1990. When and how did you decide that this was a story that was important to tell for young readers today?

Hi Rebecca! Thank you for featuring me on Picture Book Builders. I’d be happy to tell you how the seeds of this story emerged. When I first discovered the kidlit world, and wanted to write a picture book, I was sure I’d write a funny book. The first few books I attempted at (before officially learning how to write a picture book) were in rhyme and did not really have a plot! When I took my first class at UCSD with Marcie Colleen, right when Covid began, I poured my heart into a story that I was sure would sell immediately, or at least get me an agent! Neither happened! So, I began the journey recommended by my dear friend, Jenna Waldman, and I joined 12×12 and Twitter kidlit. I found a critique group and then another one Justin Colon set up, and entered some contests. I was on my way to learning how to really write a picture book. While I found delilght and comfort in funny, light-hearted stories, it was my first story based on an event in my childhood that got me a PBCHAT mentorship and the interest of a few agents. So, I decided to write another story based on my life. I asked myself what was something important and meaningful that happened to me as a kid that I would be able to write about. For a few years already, there had been increasing antisemitic incidents, and rising hate crimes in general. I had to dig deep to remember this hate crime that happened when I was in third grade. I wondered how I would explain this to my children, if heaven forbid, they experienced something like this. (My daughter almost did when she was two, but luckily I took her home early the day her preschool recieved a bomb threat, that turned out to be false.) With all these ingredients in the pot, Sharing Shalom was born.

RGL: You did a wonderful job of showing Leila’s emotions in this book, especially how much it hurts when you feel like you can’t be yourself for fear that others won’t accept you. I especially like when Leila asks her mom about what happened, as you are modeling to kids that it is okay to talk to a grown-up about things that scare you. You say in your author’s note that you don’t remember talking about the incident with anyone, however. Did you not feel at the time that you could freely ask the adults in your life about it or did the adults in your life tried to shield you from it? Or was there some other reason?

I remember hearing about the vandalism on the news with my parents. But we didn’t talk about it. And I remember knowing that Hebrew School was closed an extra week or two because of it. When we returned, everything was as it was before, and we still didn’t talk about it. It was the first time in my life that something like that happened to my community. I felt like there was a sense of shame and fear. I think that the vandalism was a shock to the community, a suburb of nearly 40,000 Jews and around 7,000 Holocaust survivors, that just about ten years famously fought against a group of Neo Nazis who had planned to march through the suburb. Although my own family had immigrated to America long before the Holocaust, the legacy and trauma of persecution was still very poignant. And I think that as much as my family felt assimiliated as Americans, and while we were free to practice our own religion, this hate crime was a reminder of a darker past that nobody wanted to talk about. I think it’s part of the story of Jewish survival. Moving forward. So to answer your question, I think it’s a combination of trying to shield us and also fear, shame, and not knowing how to talk to kids about it. That’s why I felt it was important to write this story. 

RGL: The art by Selina Alko, which looks to be a mix of collage and paint, is absolutely stunning. It is so bold and powerful, just like your text. As someone who has worked on several Jewish-themed books, some with Jewish illustrators and some with non-Jewish ones, I am curious if you felt it was important that the illustrator for this particularbook be Jewish?  Did you have any input into the illustrations and/or choice of illustrator? And what is your favorite spread?

I agree, Selina did a beautiful job in her bold illustrations. My editor told me she wanted to find a female Jewish artist, and that she had someone in mind. She was ecstatic when Selina signed on to the project. Although I am now so proud that Sharing Shalom is created by two Jewish women, which gives it authentic represenation, at the time I was open to all illustrators. I’ve found that there are many people in the publishing industry, and in the world, with ties and empathy to the Jewish experience. I felt that being open to a non Jewish illustrator would be ok, since one of the themes of the story is tolerance and coexistence.

My favorite spread, that is such a hard question! I really can’t choose, so I’m going to have to cheat. Haha. I think the most powerful spread is when the community sees the vandalism. The most heartwarming spread is when Leila talks to her mother about it. And the spread that makes me the most proud is when Leila holds her head up high to “share shalom.” But now to answer your question, my personal favorite spread is when Leila is clutching her Hebrew notebook, imagining all the Biblical stories she’s learned in Hebrew School.    

RGL: What was the submission process like for this book? Was a picture book about an antisemitic incident a tough sell with some editors? Or did you quickly find the right editor who understood the importance of telling this story? I can honestly see it going either way, which is why I’m asking! 

Great question, it was such a rollercoaster ride! The day after we submitted this project, an editor emailed my agent saying how it’s a much needed story, and they’re taking it to acquisitions. We were told it was a very good sign. However, in the meantime, another editor reached out asking if I’d do an R&R. While I was waiting for the first editor’s response, I worked on the R&R. Unfortunately, that editor wasn’t able to get it through the marketing team, but fortunately, the second editor ended up making an offer! This whole process was about a month and half long.

RGL: Lastly, my favorite question to ask my guests: What is one question no one has yet to ask you about the making of this book that you would love to answer? (And what’s the answer? 🙂  

A question no one has asked me yet is: Was “Sharing Shalom” the original title?

And the answer is: No! The first title was “Not so Different” the second title was “Leila’s Links” and only then did I land on “Sharing Shalom,” the final and most fitting title, after brainstorming with my awesome agent, Charlotte Wenger. 

RGL: Thank you, Danielle, for sharing your beautiful book with us today!

And yes, my friends, there is a GIVEAWAY! Danielle has generously offered a picture book critique (non-rhyming, fiction or nonfiction, up to 1,000 words) to one lucky reader! I will announce the winner in my next post, scheduled for Sept. 10th!

AND also…. the WINNER of last month’s giveaway — a signed copy of Kelsey E. Gross’s gorgeous picture book, SUMMER: A SOLSTICE STORY or a picture book critique under 700 words is….

**QUINETTE COOK!!**

Quinette, please email me at [email protected] and I’ll connect you and Kelsey for your prize! Congrats!

Danielle’s Bio:

Danielle lives at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her family, where she teaches, writes, practices yoga, and walks her goldendoodle, Charlie Brown. Sharing Shalom is her debut picture book