26 May Jewish Board Books….Definitely not boring! Welcome the Jewish Board Book Group and win some Giveaways!

Today I’m here with a special group of authors and illustrators,and I’m excited to share their journey with you.  I want to welcome Nancy Churnin, Vivian Kirkfield, Ann Diament Koffsky, Sarah Aroeste, and Varda Livney who make up the Jewish Board Book group. I’m so happy to have you all here today! Mazel Tov on your new books!

EL: Will you each tell us a little about your board book?

ANN:  SHEEP SAYS SHALOM is an accordion board book that introduces readers to the multiple meanings of the word Shalom: Hello, goodbye, and peace. It follows a cheerful sheep as she greets all her animal friends, and then waves goodbye at the end of the day.

VIVIAN: PIPPA’S PASSOVER PLATE is the story of Pippa Mouse who is getting ready for Passover but can’t find her special Seder dish. Gathering her courage, she questions three of her natural enemies, Cat, Snake, and Owl. They direct her to the lake to ask Golda Fish who rescues Pippa when she spots the plate in the water and falls in. All ends happily as the new community of friends returns to  Pippa’s home to celebrate the holiday together.

VARDA:  CHALLAH! begins as a typical Jewish family (of bunnies) sits down to Shabbat dinner.

“Louis, can you say Shabbat?” Dad asks, and Louis says……. “CHALLAH!”

It’s his first word EVER, and in the tradition of toddlers everywhere, Louis does not STOP saying “CHALLAH!” all week long. 

There is some speculation as to whether Louis will EVER learn a second word. 

Spoiler alert: He does.

SARAH: Mazal Bueno! is a joyful book that celebrates the milestones in a baby’s life, from a first grin to a first step and everything in between. The book’s encouraging Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) refrain of “mazal bueno” also introduces young families to Sephardic culture used in daily life!

NANCY: Counting on Shabbat is a book about counting and Shabbat, but mostly about kindness. An elderly person is preparing for a bare Shabbat with ONE table draped in white. When we reach FIVE, there are FIVE knocks on the door. A family arrives bringing food and cheer in a 58-word rhyming story that ends with TEN smiles. Shabbat is here! I have created a project to go with the book, COUNTING ON KINDNESS, that I hope will inspire kids to share photos of time spent and kindnesses they’ve shown to our seniors who are all too often alone on Shabbat and every day. I look forward to posting photos that parents and educators send me on my COUNTING ON KINDNESS page on my website.

EL: Readers, I can tell you that every one of these books is adorable! 

EL: For those of you who are new to board books, how did you make the transition? Was it difficult? 

NANCY: All stories have an arc – it’s just a question of the size and complexity of it. I was inspired to write Counting on Shabbat for toddlers after seeing how much joy it brings my elderly mother when the great-grandchildren visit. I wanted to encourage little ones everywhere to show our elders that kindness. I conceived of it as a counting book and once I had that one-to-ten structure, all the pieces fell into place. The hardest part was trimming the words on each page and settling on the rhymes. This is my first rhyming book and I am grateful to my friends and critique partners for helping me get it right.

EL: For author/ Illustrators, please explain your process. Words before pictures? What is it like illustrating your own book?

ANN: Actually in this case the answer is neither! I didn’t do words or pictures first. I did the FORMAT first. The format for this book is an accordion fold-out. I wanted to create something with that unique page layout, so I started thinking about how the two sides–front and back–could mirror themselves. I came up with one side could be hello and the other goodbye…or both SHALOM. So for me, on this book, it was format, then words, then pictures. 

VARDA:  I generally start with doodles (like spaghetti against the wall) until something sticks (or leads to an idea), and then I put some pictures together with some words, and eventually a storyboard with thumbnail illustrations develops….

EL: Vivian, I know you are in a different circumstance because your book is based on one of your picture books. How did that come about? What part did you play in the process?   

VIVIAN: PIPPA’S PASSOVER PLATE, the picture book edition, was first launched by Holiday House in 2019. It was a PJLibrary selection and happily, it has continued to be a popular story these past few years which may be why the publisher decided to create a board book version. I didn’t really have any input or influence but I’m thrilled because I think that the rollicking rhyme and bold vibrant illustrations are perfect for the littles. Only one spread was eliminated so that the story could fit into the page count needed for the board book format and the tale of Pippa Mouse and her search for her special Seder dish unfolds seamlessly without it.   

EL: Do any of you have a writing or illustrating routine? If so, please explain. 

VIVIAN: I probably have the least routine – which is honestly no routine. I am on my computer as soon as I get up…and ‘work’ many hours during the day…and into the night. But I’m not always writing manuscripts – in fact, most of the time, I’m working on blog posts, critiquing other people’s stories, checking social media (Twitter and Facebook) and sharing about writing events, planning presentations if I have any coming up. I keep saying I will do less blogging so I can do more writing, but it just doesn’t seem to happen. And of course, when #50PreciousWords and #50PreciousWordsforKids are active, I get even less writing done. But the thing is, I’m loving every minute of this life, no matter what I’m doing. And somehow, I seem to keep my agent busy with a steady stream of stories she can send out on submission.

VARDA: My routine is set by my critique group. Every 6 weeks I present an idea, or a rewrite/redraw of an earlier idea, and that’s my deadline. The closer I get, the more I sit down and work. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

SARAH: I wish I did! I’d probably be more productive, ha! A few times a year I’ll quickly draft 2-3 manuscripts simultaneously and let them sit for a month or two. Then I’ll go back and re-read them and whichever one I’m most excited to continue is the one that I’ll work on next.  

NANCY: I try to write every day because that is what I love to do. But if life gets in the way, life comes first. Or if I need to spend time just thinking a story out, then I work in my head until I’m ready to put it on paper or in a computer file. I trust myself to know when to write, when to think, when to rest, and when to just be. Still, I don’t like to spend too many days not writing. Writing is joy to me – even when it’s hard. Writing refills my well.

EL: Please talk about the revision process in board books. How much different is it from revision in picture books?

ANN:  I don’t think it’s different at all. On picture books it’s revise revise revise…for board books it’s revise revise revise!

VARDA: Board books have few words, each being carefully placed. The importance of each letter is magnified. I recently had a lengthy revision correspondence with my editor about the pros and cons of a particular exclamation point. 

EL: How did you all get together?  Why? 

VIVIAN: First, the how! I’ve been a CP and friend of Nancy’s for many years. She reached out to me last year when she heard that Pippa was going to be a board book in 2023 and she invited me to be part of a small group of folks who all had Jewish-themed board books launching this year. And second, the why! There are thousands of new books that launch every year – how will an author or illustrator get their book noticed? Banding together is something many authors and illustrators do – to form promotional groups – because there is strength in numbers. And also, we feel it is important for very young children to have books that can be mirrors and windows…books where they can see themselves…and books where young children can see different cultures. If young children become familiar with someone or something early in life, this can increase empathy and acceptance.  

VARDA:  Vivian answered the “why” perfectly.  Nancy and Ann invited me, also, I think there was a Facebook announcement about the group that I answered. 

NANCY: Board books are small and can get lost or left out amid the flurry of picture books and books for older children. They tend to receive fewer reviews, less attention at conferences, and less acknowledgment of the vital role they play helping build a love of reading and helping toddlers think and grow emotionally. Then, within that small number of board books, I thought about how little attention the subset of Jewish board books might be. It occurred to me that while one board book might get lost in the literary shuffle, it would be harder to dismiss a bunch of board books. I reached out to Ann Koffsky as I knew she also had a Jewish board book on the way. Together we searched for everyone we could find who had a 2023 Jewish board book coming out. We were thrilled to connect with Sarah Aroeste, Vivian Kirkfield, and Varda Livney. It has been a joy to be #smallbutmighty together!

EL: Sarah, you have something about Ladino on the back of your book. Can you please explain what Ladino is? 

SARAH:  At its core, Ladino is the language of Sephardic Jews that developed after their expulsion from Spain in 1492. It’s a 15th-century form of Castilian Spanish that incorporated words from other languages Jews encountered as they dispersed across the Mediterranean basin towards the Ottoman Empire. Today, one can hear old Spanish mixed with words in Portuguese, Italian, French, Turkish, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew and more. It takes the best of so many beautiful cultures and languages and mixes them together to make a new one! Beyond the linguistic aspect, Ladino is also what has bound Sephardic Jews together over shifting centuries and boundaries. In this way, it’s more than a language, it’s also a unifying part of Sephardic culture. 

What do you find the most difficult about writing board books? (Or selling them? 😊 )

ANN: Writing board books is super tough because there are So. Few. Words!  You have to think of an idea strong enough to be told in a minute amount of words, and still be understandable and engaging. Super tough!

NANCY: Because I felt the need for this to be in rhyme, getting those rhymes right was definitely the biggest challenge. I want to thank all my critique partners and friend who helped me with this, including Vivian Kirkfield and my Pub Club critique partners, with a special shout-out to Natalee Creech, who helped me let go of not-quite-right words I clung to in favor of finding and securing the ones the story needed to take flight. I also want to thank the kind and visionary educators who have already hosted me to present this book that doesn’t come out until November. All three schools where I have presented COUNTING ON SHABBAT so far are secular, public schools. The teachers requested this book because they wanted their kids to hear this message of kindness and caring for elders and also to share traditions with which they might not be familiar. To bring this slender story home, I put together a big bag of props and made the presentation interactive with the kids spreading a tablecloth for ONE table draped in white and playing parts on each page, including the FOUR kittens, with four kids wearing kitten ears, and the family of FIVE bringing food and cheer. We have had a blast every time!

SARAH: You have to convey an entire story in the least amount of words – and one that a baby can engage with and understand. It’s deceivingly difficult. 

EL: Do you have any advice for writers specifically interested in writing and/or illustrating board books? 

VARDA: If you like whittling down words into the essence, go for board books. If, however, you are really into complicated plot twists, wordy descriptions, and character development, stick with picture books.

SARAH: Go for it! We need more board books, especially Jewish ones. A Jewish board book is often a baby’s first entry point into Jewish culture, and what a beautiful way to help them begin that journey. Think from a baby’s perspective – keep it simple, rhythmic (not necessarily rhyming) and bright. Imagine a baby wanting to touch the book, grab it, and even bite it with joy!

NANCY:  Stories can be told in many formats and ways. To write a board book, it helps to envision the story as a board book in the hands of toddlers, with a simple but important story told in words a toddler will understand and enjoy. Even though I am not an illustrator, I pictured this as a 10-page story with a beginning, a journey, and a conclusion that would use minimal words to anchor the illustrations. I am grateful to my editor, Joni Sussman at Kar-Ben Publishing, for sharing and helping me fulfill this vision.

EL: Thank you all so much for visiting with us today. I know for sure what books I’ll be bringing to the next baby shower I attend! 

It is now time for A GIVEAWAY!!!!  Look at these fabulous prizes! 

Ann: A 15-minute phone or zoom critique of a picture book or board book.

Vivian: A 30-minute Ask-Me-Anything Zoom chat.

Varda: A copy of Challah!  which doesn’t come out until November, OR if you don’t want to wait, she will send you a copy of  Rosh Hashanah With Uncle Max now.

Nancy: A copy of Counting on Shabbat – which doesn’t come out until Nov. 7 – and a 15-minute Ask Me Anything Zoom.

Sarah:  A copy of Mazal Bueno! (USA only) 

To get in the running for these amazing prizes, just comment on this post. Let me know if you are a subscriber or if you shared the post, and you will get an extra entry. The giveaway is open until June 9. Good luck! 

Here are some places you can learn more about each member of the Jewish Board Book grou

Ann: 

www.annkoffsky.com

Insta and Twitter: @JewishartbyAnn

My books are on amazon–though not yet this one, but it will be in the Summer.

Vivian: 

www.viviankirkfield.com

Insta and Twitter: @viviankirkfield

Facebook: www.facebook.com/viviankirkfield

My books are on Amazon
Balin Books (my local independent bookstore where you can request a signed copy of any of my books) www.balinbooks.com

Varda: 

www.vardaart.com

insta @vardaart

Amazon. Challah not yet. 

Sarah:

www.saraharoeste.com/books

Insta, Twitter, FB: @saraharoeste

My books are on Amazon (and all other online bookstores)

Nancy:

You will find the Counting on Shabbat page here:
https://www.nancychurnin.com/counting-on-shabbat.

We are working on a teacher
guide as well that will be posted on my website as well as on https://www.karben.com

Counting on Shabbat by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Petronela Dostalova, Kar-Ben Publishing,
Lerner Books
Website: https://www.nancychurnin.com
Facebook: Nancy Churnin Children’s Books
Facebook: Nancy Churnin
Twitter: @nchurnin
Instagram: @nchurnin
Counting on Shabbat is widely available from the publisher, independent bookstores, Barnes &
Noble and Amazon
Lerner Books: https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/22967