In Steven Gellman’s YA novel SOMEWHERE IN NOWHERE (Ninestar Press, 2026), high school senior Simon Bugg moves to a new home, balances old friends with new friends, and experiences an unexpected crush on a classmate. He is a layered character…
Category: Interviews
Interview with David Sherrin, author of BIG BAD WOLF AND THE MASQUERADE BALL
I am delighted to welcome back David Sherrin to chat about the newest installment in the Big Bad Wolf Diaries series, BIG BAD WOLF AND THE MASQUERADE BALL (Apples & Honey Press, 2026), illustrated by Martín Morón. The book follows…
Interview with Rinat Gilboa, illustrator of THE SHABBAT I KNOW
In THE SHABBAT I KNOW, written by Chris Barash (Green Bean Books, 2026), Rinat Gilboa’s textured collage art evokes the warmth and joy of Shabbat. The illustrations are a perfect pairing for the rhyming text that welcomes young readers to…
Interview with Selina Alko, author and illustrator of OTHERWISE KNOWN AS JUDY THE GREAT: A POETIC ODE TO JUDY BLUME
I’m delighted to chat with author/illustrator Selina Alko about her new picture book, released today, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS JUDY THE GREAT: A POETIC ODE TO JUDY BLUME (Christy Ottaviano Books, 2026). From the gorgeous cover to the end pages, the…
Interview and Book Giveaway with Elizabeth Suneby, author of SAY SHALOM ALL DAY LONG and CHALLAHBALOO
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…
Interview with Andrea Max, author of THE ART OF EXILE
I’m pleased to welcome Andrea Max, author of the YA contemporary fantasy novel, THE ART OF EXILE (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2025). The story weaves history, Jewish mythology, and social justice as the main character, Ava, enters the seemingly utopian world…
Interview with Sydelle Pearl, author of ELIJAH’S TEARS
ELIJAH’S TEARS: STORIES FOR THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS (Pelican Publishing) by Sydelle Pearl features five unique stories for Jewish holidays featuring the prophet Elijah. Incorporating traditional Jewish folklore, each story illuminates the spiritual essence of the holidays. Rossitza Skortcheva’s ethereal black…
Interview with Freda Lewkowicz, author of DANCING ON MEMORIES
Freda Lewkowicz’s new picture book, DANCING ON MEMORIES (Apples & Honey Press, 2025) illustrated by Sally Anne Garland, follows young Sarah, who uses familiar music to help her grandmother, a former ballerina who suffers from memory loss. Using the term…
Interview with Richard Michelson, author of FANNY’S BIG IDEA: HOW JEWISH BOOK WEEK WAS BORN
I’m delighted to chat with Richard Michelson about his new book, FANNY’S BIG IDEA: HOW JEWISH BOOK WEEK WAS BORN (Rocky Pond Books, 2025), illustrated by Alyssa Russell. The book introduces readers to librarian Fanny Goldstein and her life’s work.…
Interview with Tami Lehman-Wilzig, author of THE HENNA HELPER and ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES
Tami Lehman-Wilzig’s newest picture books share Yemenite Jewish history with young readers. ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES (Apples & Honey Press, 2025) illustrated by Alisha Monnin, follows a family as they make the daunting journey from Yemen to Israel. THE…