Hello Picture Book Builders!
For my post this month, I’m doing something a little different. Instead of just ONE creator interview, what do you think about having THREE?
(Did I hear a “Yes, please!” I thought so!)
Lesléa Newman, Alison Goldberg, and Richard Ho are all phenomenal award-winning authors and I am so honored to have joined them this past week on a panel at the Association for Jewish Libraries conference in Evanston, Ill., called: The Blessing of Memory: Recent Picture Books about Jewish Mourning Rituals.
Their most recent incredible books, and the ones discussed during the panel:
SOMETHING SWEET: A Sitting Shiva Story by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Sarita Rich. A picture book in which Lizzie pays a shiva call to her best friend Joshua whose grandfather has just died, and learns about Jewish mourning rituals and how to be a good friend.
A FLAME BURNS ON by Richard Ho, illustrated by Carmel Ben-Ami. A picture book about a girl and mother who light a yahrzeit candle in memory of a beloved uncle, and how they find comfort in a flame that burns on.
THE REMEMBERING CANDLE by Alison Goldberg, illustrated by Selina Alko. A picture book about a child’s first experience with lighting a yahrzeit candle to remember his grandfather.
(My own upcoming title, I WISH THAT YOU KNEW, illustrated by Alyssa Russell, is a picture book about a child remembering her special relationship with her grandmother during the grandmother’s unveiling ceremony, a year after her passing. I will be interviewing Alyssa here on the Picture Book Builders blog on our book’s birthday – Aug. 25th – so you’ll hear much more about it then.)
For now, let me introduce you to these amazing creators and the inspriation behind their books…
(Photo credit: Mary Vazquez)
RGL: Let’s start with you, Lesléa. What was your inspiration for writing SOMETHING SWEET: A Sitting Shiva Story? Why do you feel it is important to introduce this tough topic to young children?
LN: The idea was actually pitched to me by my editor, Julie Bliven, and I never say no to an editor! The more I thought about it, the more I was intrigued by coming up with a story about sitting shiva that would gently explain to children this profound Jewish mourning ritual.The book is actually two stories: the story of Lizzie who has never sat shiva before and longs to comfort her best friend, and the story of Joshua, who is grieving over his grandfather. Joshua’s grandpa, who lives on in his memories, was inspired by my beloved Uncle Terry who died when he was 90 years old.
Children are wise beyond their years and know more than people think. They are not unfamiliar with death; it is part of life. It’s important to give children a place to hold all their feelings including deep sorrow. A book like “Something Sweet: A Sitting Shiva Story” allows children to feel their feelings, and gives them guidance when comforting others. Jewish children who have either sat shiva for a loved one or paid a shiva call will recognize themselves and their culture; others will learn what the ritual is all about. Both experiences are of equal importance.
Lesléa’s Bio:
Lesléa Newman has created 90 books for readers of all ages including the memoirs-in-verse, I Carry My Mother and I Wish My Father, the novel-in-verse, October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard, and the picture books, Rainbow Cookies; Joyful Song: A Naming Story; The Babka Sisters; Sparkle Boy; and Heather Has Two Mommies. She has received two National Jewish Book Awards, two American Library Association Stonewall Honors, the Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Body of Work Award, and the Massachusetts Book Award. Forthcoming titles include Song of the Dead Sea Scrolls; Happy Shabbat from Daddy, Papa, and Me; Welcoming Shabbat with Mommy, Mama, and Me; and Welcome: A Wish for Refugees.
RGL: Alison, what was your inspiration for writing THE REMEMBERING CANDLE? And why do you feel it is important to introduce this tough topic to young children?
AG: The Remembering Candle follows a child’s first experience with yahrzeit—lighting a memorial candle to remember his grandpa. I was inspired to write this book during a year I went to several funerals. Participating in shiva made me reflect on the value of Jewish mourning rituals for children experiencing loss. When I looked for picture books about these rituals, I found few. Loss is a part of life, yet it can often feel like a taboo topic. As a children’s book author, I was inspired to write.
Rituals like yahrzeit can offer some comfort to children and families during times of grief. The child in The Remembering Candle wonders why the yahrzeit candle, unlike other candles, burns for a whole night and day. He finds that it gives his family the time to share their memories, connect them together, and keep them burning bright. My hope is that this book can help families have conversations about how each of us can look to our own memories and stories as a source of light.
Alison’s Bio:
ALISON GOLDBERG is the author of award-winning picture books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her most recent work, The Remembering Candle, won the National Jewish Book Award and is a Sydney Taylor Notable title. Bottle Tops: The Art of El Anatsui won the Children’s Africana Book Award and Eighteen Flowers for Grandma: A Gift of Chai was a Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Book of the Year. Alison’s work explores family stories, creative journeys, culture, and activism. Her middle grade debut, The Lost Sea Garden, is forthcoming from Red Comet Press in 2028. She lives in the Boston area with her family. You can visit her online at www.alisongoldberg.com.
RGL: And finally, Richard, what was your inspiration for writing A FLAME BURNS ON and why do you feel it is important to introduce this tough topic to young children?
RH: A FLAME BURNS ON was inspired by my late brother-in-law, who died 12 years ago. The experience of being with my wife and her family during shiva was a difficult but necessary introduction to Jewish mourning. The reality of life is that every family must confront the grief of losing a loved one at some point. And as hard as it can be for adults, it can be even more overwhelming for children. In choosing to write a book about a yahrzeit candle, I wanted to create a resource that parents and teachers could turn to for important conversations about death and remembrance. I also wanted to show kids that a yahrzeit is not solely a sad occasion, and that remembering someone who is gone can also involve laughter and joy, and a celebration of the light they continue to bring into our lives.
Richard’s Bio:
Richard Ho is the acclaimed author of many picture books, including The Lost Package, illustrated by Jessica Lanan, which received four starred reviews, and Two New Years, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield, which was a Sydney Taylor Gold Medalist and a National Jewish Book Award Winner. He lives with his family in New Jersey.
Aren’t all these people just amazing? I urge you to go out and buy all these stunning books! And meet me back here on August 25th, when I’ll be interviewing the incredible Alyssa Russell about our book, I WISH THAT YOU KNEW.
And now for the giveaway winner from my last post! The winner of a copy of Jolene Gutiérrez’s beautiful book, UNBREAKABLE is….
**Loreli Stochaj!**
Congrats, Loreli! Please email me at RebeccaWrites4Kids@gmail.com and I’ll be sure you get your prize!
Four beautiful books. Thank you Rebecca for sharing.