Almost 20 years ago, shortly after the Columbine High School shootings, terror in the form of a neo-Nazi attack came to the Los Angeles Jewish Community Centers. The two incidents were the earliest mass shootings of children covered by the 24 hour cable news channels. Though the incidents would mobilize…
Read More
Jewish Education, Writing Children’s Books and the Vilna Gaon
A story of Rabbi Elijah of Vilna influenced my decision to become a Jewish educator and ultimately, a writer. He is often referred to as the Vilna Gaon or Genius of Vilna. Born in 1720, he was studying the Bible and Talmud by the age of 6. Although he grew…
Read More
Links to Purim Fun
Parents and children, and teachers and students may enjoy visiting my earlier posts about Purim. Click Here for “Purim Fun for Children and their Parents” RECIPES AND MORE 4 eggs, 1 cup oil, 1 ¼ cups sugar, 2 tsps. vanilla, 3 tsps. baking powder, ½ tsp. salt, 5 ½ cups…
Read More
Tu B’Shevat Holiday Links
Tu B’Shevat, the “birthday of the trees” begins soon. Readers may wish to re-visit my two posts by clicking on either paragraph: FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON TU B’SHEVAT published February 2012: The school where I work has a policy that allows for the use of food in sensory experiences. One…
Read More
“So, I painted this small heart because I want to say, Just how much I love Shabbat. It’s my favorite day!” from “The Littlest Candlesticks”
PUBLISHED IN 2002, PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY WROTE THE FOLLOWING ABOUT “THE LITTLEST CANDLESTICKS”: “ON THE HEELS OF THE LITTLEST PAIR’S WINNING THE 2002 NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD IN THE PICTURE-BOOK CATEGORY COMES THE LITTLEST CANDLESTICKS…. COUPLETS DESCRIBE A GIRL’S WISH FOR HER OWN SABBATH CANDLESTICKS, LIKE HER MOTHER AND HER OLDER…
Read More
Lessons I’ve Learned from 25 Years in Children’s Publishing
My first picture book was published over 25 years ago. In the quarter of a century following my first book’s publication I have continued to publish books regularly, including the popular Sammy the Spider series, and I have learned a lot about both writing and publishing. This article covers the most important…
Read More