Author/illustrator Ann Koffsky’s picture book THE THREE LITTLE SHEEP: A TALE FOR SUKKOT (Green Bean Books, 2025) is a reimagining of the classic fable The Three Little Pigs, but features three little sheep who build sukkahs for Sukkot. Along the way, the trio prepare for the holiday, honor family traditions, and team up to celebrate Sukkot in the most meaningful way. An unexpected twist at the end of the story will surely delight readers! Welcome back, Ann!

Your new book, THE THREE LITTLE SHEEP, is a reimagined fable with a Sukkot twist. Can you tell me a bit about how you came up with the idea?

There was one year that we had built our own family Sukkah—and like, the very next day there was a storm and the wind was so strong that it blew the whole thing down. It reminded me of the three little pigs, and the wolf huffing and puffing…and I had that AHA! Moment.

As an author/illustrator, what does your process typically look like? Do you always submit art with your manuscript?

It depends on the story. For THE THREE LITTLE SHEEP—yes! I created a sample illustration of a sheep inside his cozy Sukkah made of straw. It’s one thing to say it, but to see it? Whole other level of fun. I wanted to show that as part of the submission.

What medium did you use for the illustrations in THE THREE LITTLE SHEEP?

For this book, I created the art on my iPad, in Procreate. I used digital brushes that I purchased from True Grit Texture Supply that were really wonderful, and let me get some excellent, natural looking images.

Some of your book illustrations are cut paperwork. How do you decide which techniques you will use for your picture books?

For me, it’s the  Subject matter. If I’m trying to tell a whimsical story that uses a lot of silly expressions, like THE THREE SHEEP  then I’ll use my cute style. If I’m working on a story with more of folklore, or biblical foundation, like my book CREATION COLORS, then will opt for the papercut approach.

You do a lot of school visits. What is your favorite part about meeting students?

They are my target audience! I write these things for THEM. There’s nothing like actually sharing my work with them in person, and seeing their reactions to it. Did they get my jokes? Find the details I left for them in the art? It’s so fun to see.

THE THREE LITTLE SHEEP has some meaningful themes, including hard work, friendship, and inclusion. What do you hope your readers take away from the story?

I hope they smile, and laugh. That’s my goal for this silly tale—just a fun time!

Thank you, Ann!

Ann D. Koffsky is the author and illustrator of more than forty books, including What’s in Tuli’s Box?, Under the Sea Seder, Sarah Builds a School, the Kayla and Kugel series, Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor and Shabbat Shalom, Hey. Several of her books have been PJ Library selections, and her book Noah’s Swimathon received a Sydney Taylor notable designation from the Association of Jewish Libraries. Ann lives in West Hempstead, New York, USA, with her family.

Tagged Ann Koffsky, Green Bean Books, picture book, Sukkot