Rachelle Burk’s picture book biography, DIVING DEEP FOR ROSH HASHANAH: TASHLICH FOR A BETTER WORLD (Intergalactic Afikoman, 2026), illustrated by Craig Orback, tells the story of scuba diver Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, who honors Tashlich in a unique, environmentally conscious way.…
Janice Hechter’s picture book biography, THE POWER OF HER PAINTBRUSH: THE STORY OF THERESA BERNSTEIN (Kar-Ben, 2026), tells the interesting life story of artist Theresa Bernstein. Despite experiencing sexism, antisemitism, and often difficult circumstances, Theresa persevered and eventually became a…
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…
Liz Kleinrock and Caroline Kusin Pritchard’s new book WHAT JEWISH LOOKS LIKE (HarperCollins, 2024) illustrated by Iris Gottlieb, features thirty-six short biographies of diverse Jewish people, ranging from prominent artists to actors, athletes, and more. The authors emphasize how these…
Richard Michelson’s picture book biography ONE OF A KIND: THE LIFE OF SYDNEY TAYLOR (Calkins Creek, 2024) illustrated by Sarah Green, tells the life story of Sydney Taylor, author of the iconic ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY book series. Sydney Taylor is a…
Rachelle Burk’s picture book biography SPACE TORAH: ASTRONAUT JEFFREY HOFFMAN’S COSMIC MITZVAH (Intergalactic Afikoman, 2024), illustrated by Craig Orback, tells the story of Jewish astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman, who took meaningful religious items with him on the space shuttle. The book…
In her new picture book biography from the Little Golden Books series titled IRIS APFEL: A LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK BIOGRAPHY (Golden Books, 2023) illustrated by Ellen Surrey, Deborah Blumenthal introduces readers to Iris Apfel, a beloved fashion icon, designer, and…
I am delighted to welcome my friend, Deborah Lakritz, to chat about her newest picture book biography, A PLACE TO BELONG: DEBBIE FRIEDMAN SINGS HER WAY HOME (Apples & Honey Press, 2022), illustrated by Julia Castaño. Debbie Friedman’s music is…
Bonnie Lindauer’s picture book biography HANNAH G. SOLOMON DARED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE (Kar-Ben, 2021) illustrated by Sofia Moore tells the life story of National Council of Jewish Women founder Hannah G. Solomon. Hannah spent her life working to make…
Kate Hannigan’s new picture book biography BLIPS ON A SCREEN: How Ralph Baer Invented TV Video Gaming and Launched a Worldwide Obsession (Knopf, 2022) illustrated by Zachariah OHora tells the interesting story of Ralph Baer, a Jewish refugee who invented…