12 Sep Joyce Schriebman and OY, SANTA! THERE’S A LATKE TO LEARN ABOUT HANUKKAH plus a GIVEAWAY!
EL: I am super excited to highlight Joyce Schriebman’s debut picture book, OY, SANTA! THERE’S A LATKE TO LEARN ABOUT HANUKKAH. Full confession, Joyce is a CP, and I have loved this book since its inception. This book is laugh-out-loud funny, yet serious too. How can that be? Joyce Schriebman takes an important topic and makes it kid-centric and fun. When Oliver Overstreet writes a letter to Santa explaining that he doesn’t need to stop at his house because he doesn’t celebrate Christmas, Santa emails him back that he understands. But does he? Follow the hilarious correspondence between Oliver and Santa as Santa gets holidays mixed up (Enjoy your matzah!) makes a few little mistakes (Latkes and KETCHUP!), and worst of all, calls the holiday Christmakah when all Oliver wants him to do is not to smush the holidays together. Beautifully illustrated by Gila Von Meissner, this book feels like a classic
Welcome, Joyce. Will you tell us a little about yourself?
JS: I’m a native San Franciscan and grew up in northern California. As long as I can remember, people thought I was a New Yorker! Then, as providence would have it, I got a job offer in NY and moved east 15 years ago. I don’t have that job any longer and now live in Connecticut with my husband. I like to say, “I came for the job and stayed for the guy!” I love the northeast where the creative vibe feels right. The seasons. The open space. The snow (yes, I LOVE the snow!) I’m definitely living the good life. And, of course, writing and my writing buddies are a big part of that.
EL: Will you tell us why this story was important for you to write?
JS: When I was growing up, there were two kinds of Hanukkah books: those with the Maccabees, candle lighting, and the celebration of the holiday and those with sad Jewish children looking out at twinkling Christmas trees! Today there are so many wonderful books about blended families and blended holidays. But I wanted to write a third type of Hanukkah book—a book that explicitly says, “Hanukkah and Christmas aren’t related. AND THAT’S OKAY.” With dialogue in the public square being what it is these days, I’m pleased that OY,SANTA! presents differences in a positive light. When Ollie and Santa conclude their correspondence, they’ve come to respect and appreciate each other’s distinct traditions. Mission accomplished.
EL: This book is so much fun! Aside from the hard work that always goes into writing, was it fun to write?
JS: I don’t want to get hate mail from other writers, but I wrote the draft for this book in one sitting. The editing took another year and, while the arc of the story stayed basically the same, the language was tweaked a lot. 
EL: I already gave away that I am in one of your writing groups, but I know you have several. How important do you think they are?
JS: I can’t say enough about how helpful critique groups are. I’m in several, and each one brings added value to my writing. When I thumb through the pages of OY, SANTA!, I see my writing partners’ heart-prints all over it! A word here. A change of emphasis there. Writing can be very isolating, and critique groups are a way for me to get perspective—and a way to keep learning! Trusted critique partners are worth their weight in chocolate
EL: Do you have any words of advice for aspiring kidlit writers?
JS: ENJOY YOURSELF! I mean, if it isn’t fun, why do it? Sure there are frustrating times. But that’s part of the journey, too. The voice you can’t quite master. The structure you can’t nail down. And the inevitable pass that you really hoped would be an offer. (See what I did there? It’s a PASS not a REJECTION.) But the overall ratio should be joy.
EL: Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Joyce! OY,SANTA can be found wherever books are sold.
If you want a signed book, preorder through Byrd’s Books, and Joyce will sign it before they send it out to you after it releases on October 1.
Check out Joyce’s website here joyceschriebman.com .
And now a …
Joyce is happy to send the winner a signed copy of OY, SANTA. But, just to keep you on your toes ( really, just to have fun) this giveaway is a bit different from the normal ones. Yes, you still just need to comment on this post to get in the running. And yes, if you let me know that you shared the post, you’ll get an extra chance to win. BUT…this time, please leave a word or two that pops into your mind when you think about the winter holidays! Good luck, everyone!
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On a personal note, I’d love you to check out some of my books here. They are also available wherever books are sold. THANK YOU!
DEBBIE’S SONG: THE DEBBIE FRIEDMAN STORY
https://bookshop.org/p/books/debbie-s-song-ellen-leventhal/18680277?ean=9781728443027
A FLOOD OF KINDNESS
https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-flood-of-kindness-ellen-leventhal/15150623?ean=9781546034582
Laura Russell
Posted at 06:57h, 12 SeptemberMy immediate family celebrated all Jewish holidays, and with our extended family, we also shared their holidays. I love this book that celebrates blended families, and using humor, also makes each holiday special as it is.
Deborah Holt Willams
Posted at 07:54h, 12 SeptemberHello, Ellen! Love this interiew with Joyce. I shared it with the Caldecoots, and I love her comment that good writing group friends are “worth their weight in chocolate.” I’m going to say my holiday word is chocolate, because I remember getting my kids Advent calendars with a little chocolate treat behind each tab up to Christmas day, and the morning I found two year old Molly with her calendar in pieces and her cheeks stuffed with chocolates!
Leigh Frillici
Posted at 08:18h, 12 SeptemberLove this interview, Ellen and love this book, Joyce! As part of their critique group tribe, I can say this book was a joy from the moment Joyce showed us her first drafts. For anyone who hasn’t read it, it is such a fun, clever read. Mazel Tov on your first book, Joyce and here’s to many more!
Kim Larson
Posted at 11:06h, 12 SeptemberCongratulations, Joyce! Love the title and the books sounds great. I shared on Twitter. I always think of FAMILY when I think about holidays.
Leigh Frillici
Posted at 11:13h, 12 SeptemberLove this post, Ellen and love this book, Joyce! Being a part of Joyce and Ellen’s book critique tribe, I can tell you this book was a joy to see from the moment Joyce shared her first draft. What a fun and fantastic book! And, here’s to many more. Mazel Tov, Joyce!
danielle hammelef
Posted at 11:34h, 12 SeptemberWinter holidays to me mean performing holiday music with my concert band, spending quality time with family, and baking delicious cookies to share. Speaking of sharing, I shared this post on tumblr. I can’t wait to read this fun book!
Joyce Schriebman Schriebman
Posted at 11:50h, 23 SeptemberThanks Danielle for sharing on tumblr! I need to up my tumblr game!
Sarah Meade
Posted at 11:49h, 12 SeptemberWhat a fun post! This book looks delightful, and I look forward to reading it. Congratulations, Joyce! My word is *festive*!
Jilanne Hoffmann
Posted at 12:26h, 12 SeptemberYes, enjoy writing kidlit. This sounds like an engaging book. Congrats!
Ellen Rothberg
Posted at 11:02h, 13 SeptemberI love Joyce’s book and can’t wait to share copies with my family and friends. My holiday word is acceptance because I would love everyone to know that different doesn’t mean wrong. Although Hanukkah is my holiday of choice, I can drawer an awesome Christmas tree!
Doreen Robinson
Posted at 17:02h, 16 SeptemberI’ve loved this story since reading it in an early stage as a CP! The published book (I preordered) has adorable illustrations that are just perfect for Joyce’s cleverly written story. So much Jewish JOY, I’m kvelling!
Sherry Knazan
Posted at 20:39h, 16 SeptemberAs a decades old friend of Joyce from Northern California, I could not be more thrilled to see the direction your life has taken. Here’s to Joyce and the creative genius that was just below the surface. Now we can all benefit from it!
Sherry Knazan
Posted at 20:39h, 16 SeptemberAs a decades old friend of Joyce from Northern California, I could not be more thrilled to see the direction your life has taken. Here’s to Joyce and the creative genius that was just below the surface. Now we can all benefit from it!