Welcome back, Elizabeth Suneby! In her two board books, SAY SHALOM ALL DAY LONG (PJ Publishing, 2025) illustrated by Elke Boschinger and CHALLABALOO! (PJ Publishing, 2026) illustrated by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom, Elizabeth introduces young readers to Jewish concepts in a thoughtful, engaging way. The accessible language and playful illustrations are perfect for little ones. I’m excited to learn more about Elizabeth’s passion for creating board books and her insights about writing books for children.
More good news! Elizabeth has also offered her two board books for a giveaway! If you’d like to be entered to win, simply leave a comment on this post with your email address. A winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, February 11th, 2026.
*Congratulations to Priscilla Cohen, winner of the book giveaway! Many thanks to all who entered.
Why do you think Jewish board books are so important?
Snuggling a baby or toddler on your lap and reading a board book is magical, even if the child doesn’t yet understand the words. The tone of your voice, the rhythm of the verses, and the engaging illustrations create a bond, provide comfort, and spark joy. What a perfect time to introduce Jewish values, images, time-honored traditions, and Hebrew words.
Your new board books are perfect for introducing little ones to important Jewish concepts. Can you tell me a bit about what inspired you to write each of them?
Both board books were inspired by the PJ Library trip to Israel for authors that I was lucky to be on. SAY SHALOM ALL DAY LONG was inspired by our visit to the bilingual, multicultural Jewish-Arab Hand in Hand school—a living testament to the power and possibility of shalom/peace embraced at a young age. And CHALLAHBALOO! was inspired by my first time making bread during our visit to the Lasha Bakery in Mitzpe Ramon – Har Boker.
What were your thoughts when you saw the illustrations?
As a very visual person, I always find it exciting to see my words illustrated. I love how Elke Boschinger tucked playful details into the pages of SAY SHALOM ALL DAY LONG to discover on each read. (Did you see the alien or the family of snails traveling single file?) I also love how Adriana Hernandez Bergstrom’s loose style and vibrant colors of a South American family animate the joyful rhymes and refrain of CHALLAHBALOO!
You also write picture books and nonfiction books for older readers. Is your writing process the same for all genres? Are there any unique challenges to creating board books?
SAME
- Write from the heart, what moves you.
- Stay focused on your readers’ developmental stage.
- Leave room in the text for the illustrations to tell part of the story.
- Refrains are often effective in both board books and picture books for younger and older readers.
DIFFERENT
- Historical fiction and nonfiction require more research than board books.
- Board books must be short! Picture books for older readers should be as long as needed.
- Picture books for older readers can be more metaphorical, encouraging personal interpretation.
- Extensive back matter in picture books for older readers can provide historical context, interviews, and glossaries that enhance the story.
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Elizabeth Suneby loves to play with words!
Writing helps her generate new ideas, learn new things, understand her feelings and express them to others.
Writing is also how she earns a living. She writes for organizations big and small, magazine articles, and books for children and teens that help them find their voice in a hopeful world.
Her latest book is SAY SHALOM ALL DAY LONG. Heartfelt hellos, warm goodbyes, and wishes for peace–all with one Hebrew word. Just imagine how wonderful the world would be if shalom were one of the first words children of all faiths learned. (Keep an eye out for her next board book, CHALLAHBALOO!, on January 1, 2026. You don’t need to be Jewish to love challah or to find yourself singing the refrain: “Challah for me, challah for you, challah, challah, challabaloo!)
I love how fun it is to say CHALLAHBALOO – and the vibrant colors on the cover make me smile. Say SHALOM ALL DAY LONG is the perfect concept for the youngest readers. I love that both books were inspired by Elizabeth’s trip to Israel and will be given out by PJ Library!
I love Liz” board books as does my granddaughter. Nothing better than a good snuggle and a good book
Thank you, Susan. As you know, life experiences bring creative inspiration!
Thank you, Susan. As you know, life experiences spark creative expressions!
Thank you! As you know, inspiration comes from all our life experiences.
Thank you, Doreen. I look forward to reading your books.
Love reading Elizabeth’s books with my Granddaughter. A special way to bond and reach a bit our Jewish heritage through fun stories.
Thank you, Rob. How lucky you are to have a grandchild.
My grandsons, Ozriel and Isaiah, would love these! We have fun reading together. They love my challah too! ❤️
Thank you, Cathy. Reading with little ones you love and eating challah is a double win!
Great work! Love Ms. Suneby’s books!
Thank you, Ms. Kaplan Lee!
Wonderful to read about the process of creating these beautiful books. Brings back fond memories of reading to my children.
Reading books and eating challah. Two favorites.
I love Liz’s books and her passion for writing for children. Her books are fun, imaginative, beautiful and perfect for reading to young and curious children. Fabulous work, Liz!
Thank you. Appreciate your support!
Thank you for your support for my writing, starting way back when with SEE WHAT YOU CAN BE.
Thank you for all your support of my books — starting with SEE WHAT YOU CAN BE
I became aware of Liz’s wonderful board books with It’s a…It’s a… It’s a Mitzvah, which my grandson loved. Can’t wait to share her latest with him! Thank you Liz and congratulations on these latest books!
Huge thanks for your support, Nan.
Thank you for your support! Hope your grandson loves these two new ones!
I love Liz’s books and can’t wait to have grandchildren one day to share them with!
I hope I have grandkids to read to one day, too!
Thanks! Hope to have a grandchild to read to one day!
So colorful and positive! Wish Liz were writing when my children were younger. They have a wonderful way to introduce and share culture and traditions.
Thanks, Diane!
Thanks, Diane. Peace/shalom and challah are values/tradition all can embrace.
How I wish books like these had been available when I raised my kids. How wonderful they’re here to enrich my grandkids!
Thanks! Shalom and peace are universal gifts!
All of Liz’s stories are inspiring and thoughtful. They are great options for Valentine’s day to add to your family’s bookshelf.
Peace, challah — and caring for ourselves, others, and the environment — all universal gifts to embrace.
Liz’s books are loved by our grandchildren! It’s the perfect gift and what a better way to share the love than saying “Shalom” all day long!
Yes, sharing love with shalom and challah — perfect combo. Thanks, Nanci.
Thank you, Liz, for the joy and love for tradition that your board books bring. With our first great grandchild about to be born (maybe today!) we have a whole new bookshelf to fill. Keep writing!
Great grandchild! WOW. Mazel Tov.
Such warm, clever writing and such beautiful illustrations – wish I had these when my son was young! Well done, Liz!
Maybe its time to have another — 🙂
Liz’s books are amazing and bring joy to family members of all ages. I love the positive messages that are conveyed by Liz.
Sharing love with peace, & challah — just what the world needs. Thank you, Priscilla.
Liz Suneby’s writing embodies how thoughtful and creative she is. Her books are a must read!
Thank you, Jessica. Thoughtful and creative — just how I’d like to be viewed.
I love the concept in “Say Shalom All Day Long.”
Indeed, we would have a better world if everyone would embrace this idea. I just learned about another board book of Elizabeth’s, “It’s a it’s a it’s a Mitzvah.” Super clever title. I also love word play and aspire to write board books.
Thank you, Holly! Glad you found It’s a… It’s a… It’s a Mitzvah as well as Say Shalom All Day Long. That’s a Mitzvah is another mitzvah book of mine that uses twists on familiar rhymes — like “Monkey see, monkey do, let’s be nice to someone new! That’s a Mitzvah.”
https://www.amazon.com/Thats-Mitzvah-Diane-Heiman/dp/B0DN9DGJG5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PGM2F8JC3BK4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IUkNOLytZyX6EhtEffSy1c03sJmZ2OeO6n08S2gZhn0nJgJVsuiBMEr9S-cLIoPMtrvVOJwd4Q0aKzyOXDJo6pbEsag0BhpLdAU5FbXDvhyOSpVDQEtsD5nLp-kCgvdif693t0toAADjBEtZua0Rc20ienPff0hDu3_E3FjOBX0_tcuYwOPh3uKD9P5YLeDQAXFNjGeMB1SUHKonqIrUr6Fa_EfhLeGmCjfV_6YzOC4.QmoPuA_D8qAVfMW-M4eqyn_s5tk_tSASkkqnCsMkVbg&dib_tag=se&keywords=That%27s+a+mitzvah&qid=1770298960&sprefix=that%27s+a+mitzvah%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1
I love how each of these books are so different and create a tone and experience that are unique. CHALLABALLOO is more energetic and SHALOM serves as the perfect way to calm things down. Congratulations, Liz on this duo of board books!
Thank you for all your support, Laura. Sometimes we need calm. Sometimes we need energy! But we always need challah.
My teenager and I love Liz’s books! She has a way with connecting with her readers, and we always feel smarter after reading her work.
Thank you and Sadie for all your support! Spread peace, share challah.
One of the greatest joys in my life was having a grandson a couple of years ago and being able to introduce him to Liz Suneby‘s books. I know how much heart Liz puts into every word she writes, knowing that they will leave a lifetime impression. For that reason, it makes me very happy to share them with him. Keep writing Liz! We can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Nicki, what a lovely comment. Hope to connect soon.
Enjoyed the interview and love the books! They make wonderful gifts!
Thank you, Robin!
What beautiful and joy-filled books!
Loved learning about your process, Liz.
Writing from the heart says it all.
Thank you for putting such beautiful and enriching books into the world.
I am a fan of all Liz’s books and her instinct for transferring basic Jewish values in such a creative way, to young children. I send all her books to my great nephews and they love them!