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2010 SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARDS April Halprin Wayland and Stephane Jorisch, author and illustrator of New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story, Robin Friedman, author of The Importance of Wings, and Margarita Engle, author of Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba, are the 2010 winners of the prestigious Sydney Taylor Book Award. The Sydney Taylor Book Award honors new books for children and teens that exemplify the highest literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience. The award memorializes Sydney Taylor, author of the classic All-of-a-Kind Family series. The winners will receive their awards at the Association of Jewish Libraries convention in Seattle this July. Six Sydney Taylor Honor Books were named for 2009. For Younger Readers, Honor Books are: Nachshon Who Was Afraid to Swim by Deborah Bodin Cohen with illustrations by Jago (Kar- Ben), Benjamin and the Silver Goblet by Jacqueline Jules with illustrations by Natascia Ugliano (Kar-Ben), Yankee at the Seder by Elka Weber with illustrations by Adam Gustavson (Tricycle Press) and You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax? by Jonah Winter with illustrations and an amazing lenticular cover by Andre Carrilho (Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House). Two illustrations communicate its meaning to children, to give them a sense that it is their wall, too, and to let them know that they can find spirituality there as well. “It’s easy to feel close to Hashem here,” she writes. Levy concludes the book with her hope that the Messiah will come soon. “Maybe today someone will say that one tefillah that will finally bring peace and happiness to the world,” she writes. “Maybe you will be the one.” If teaching your children about the Messiah and the Western Wall is important to you, this is a good introductory read for young children. It is a book written with a warm, gentle love of Judaism and a fervent belief in the coming of the Messiah. For ages 4–7. LK When I First Held You: A Lullaby from Israel Mirik Snir; Eleyor Snir, illus. Kar-Ben Publishing, 2009. 32 pp. $9.95 ISBN 978-0-7613-5098-9 With captivating illustrations by the author’s daughter, this “lullaby” from Israel serves as a quiet and calming end to the day for the very youngest children. Animals with their young are beautifully depicted within a peaceful world into which babies arrive with purpose. There are only two or three 66 Jewish Book World Spring 5770/2010 words per page (a’ la Goodnight Moon), used mostly as a cue for children to enjoy the bright, folk art style illustrations. The last pages contain a place for your child’s name and photo and a tender quote by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov—“The day you were born is the day God decided that the world could not exist without you.” This is the only clue that the book may be targeted for a Jewish audience. It certainly would make a nice gift and keepsake for any family with a new baby, regardless of religious background. However, the fact that it is paperback limits the gift/photo album appeal. For ages birth–3 years. Zvuvi’s Israel Tami Lehman-Wilzig; Ksenia Topaz, illus. Kar-Ben Publishing, 2009. 32 pp. $16.95 ISBN: 978-0-8225-8759-0 Join Zvuvi, the fly, and his cousin Zahava as they buzz all around Israel. Beginning in Jerusalem, they zoom to dozens of interesting sites. With a smattering of facts about each location, accentuated by a few words in Hebrew and lots of excitement, the two flies show readers things that make Israel so special. Join them for lunch as Zvuvi nibbles “on a works in translation were named Honor Books for Older Readers: Anne Frank: Her Life in Worlds and Pictures by Menno Metselaar and Ruud van der Rol (translated by Arnold J. Pomerans) (Roaring Brook Press/Flash Point, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group) and A Faraway Island by Annika Thor (translated by Linda Schenck) (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House). Lost, a historical novel by Jacqueline Davies (Marshall Cavendish) and Naomi’s Song, a biblical fiction by Selma Kritzer Silverberg (JPS) were named Honor Books in the Teen Reader Category. The JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible by Ellen Frankel with illustrations by Avi Katz (JPS) was named a Notable Book for All Ages. In addition to the medal-winners, the Award Committee designated twenty-two Notable Books of Jewish Content for 2010: eight in the Younger Readers Category, eight in the Older Readers Category, and six for Teens. Notable titles, and more information about the Sydney Taylor Book Award, may be found online at www.SydneyTaylorBookAward.org. A blog about the awards can be found at www.sydneytaylorbookaward.blogspot.com. falafel ball that has fallen to the ground at Machaneh Yehudah...” Then find him as he hides in Soreq Cave and learn about stalactites and stalagmites along the way. The adventurous Zvuvi is almost swatted by a cook in Abu Ghosh, then barely escapes the jaws of an alligator in Hamat Gader. From lunch at Lake Kinneret to scuba diving in Eilat, the two flies cover the entire country. A map of Israel is included to help readers locate their many stopping points. Zvuvi’s Israel is both entertaining and informative; an excellent introduction to the many wonderful cities and attractions Israel has to offer. For ages 6–10. MB YOUR AUDIENCE IS HERE. REACH THOUSANDS OF DEDICATED JEWISH READERS. ADVERTISE YOUR PROGRAM, EVENT OR BOOK IN JEWISH BOOK WORLD. EMAIL jbc@jewishbooks.org FOR RATE SCHEDULE. www.jewishbookcouncil.org
A CHAT WITH ZACHARYSHAPIRO By Barbara Bietz I am thrilled to welcome Zachary Shapiro to the blog. His first children’s book, We’re All in the Same Boat (Putnam), is a delightful retelling of the story of Noah’s Ark, beautifully illustrated by Jack E. Davis. Zach has inspired people of all ages through original story-telling, music and heartfelt humor. As the Rabbi of Temple Akiba in Culver City, California, Zach finds many ways to bring new life to old legends. He wrote We’re All in the Same Boat to teach children and adults how we can motivate and support each other in the face of tough circumstances. A native of Massachusetts, Zach Shapiro lives in Southern California with his partner and their dog, “Daisy,” who has barked her share of complaints on a rainy day! What was the inspiration for writing We’re All in the Same Boat? A few years ago, my sister-in-law, Leora Krygier, published her novel, First the Raven. At one of her readings, she described how the raven was the first bird to fly free from Noah’s Ark. And in relating the drama of the book, she used the phrase, “We’re all in the same boat.” At the moment, something stirred in me. Noah had always been a favorite story, and I loved making it come to life with children. And so, I began to think about the tired, restless creatures on Noah’s Ark, from the ants to the zebras. I went home that night and wrote the first draft of my manuscript. Can you share a bit about your writer’s journey? In my work, I tell stories all the time. But writing stories was a new animal (pun intended). I had always dreamed of writing a children’s picture book, but I really had no idea about the process. So I went out and bought The Everything Guide to Writing Children’s Books. I read it cover to cover. In the back is an index of publishers, and I researched each of them on line. I made lists of which publishers would be appropriate for my book. And I considered whether the book should specifically target the Jewish market or not. And so, I carefully selected a handful of publishers, prepared cover letters, and send out my manuscript. And I waited. And waited. And waited. And I was rejected. Many times. But all it takes is one. And when I got a response from Putnam, I leapt for joy! The illustrations in We’re All in the Same Boat are delightful. What was your response when you first saw them? When Putnam first told me that it usually takes 2-3 years for the book to hit the shelves, I nearly plotzed. It seems liked forever. But they insisted that we find the right illustrator. When I learned that they had selected Jack E. Davis, I was thrilled. A full year went by before I saw Jack’s first sketches. And though I adore Jack’s art, I didn’t know what to expect. I was a little scared. But my nervous anticipation transformed into delight. I could never have begun to imagine such amazing illustrations, and I am in awe that an artist can convey words like, “Vexed” and “Impatient.” CHILDREN’S REVIEWS How has your congregation reacted to your book? To launch the book, I worked with Temple Akiba to host a premier reading along with a “blessing of the animals.” We encouraged members and guests to brings their pets to synagogue after Sunday School. Our front courtyard was filled with dogs, cats, bunnies, frogs, and even a snake! After the reading, I offered a special blessing for the joy that our furry friends bring to our lives each day. Later in the year, our Nursery School embarked on a Noah’s Ark project that received an award from the Bureau of Jewish Education. Young and old alike have been so enthusiastic about We’re All in the Same Boat. We have sold over 200 copies through our gift store alone. What are some fun facts about you? I grew up in Boston and have lived in the Los Angeles areas since my ordination from the Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion in 1997. I was the Associate Rabbi at University Synagogue in Brentwood for eight years before becoming the Senior Rabbi at Temple Akiba. My goal in life is to help bring goodness into the world, one act of purposeful kindness at a time. I am big aviation fan, and I have a vast library of books about commercial aviation and airports. I love to bike ride and I enjoy good theatre. My partner, Ron Galperin, and I have a poodle named Daisy. Who knows... someday you may be reading a book about her as well! Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us! To learn more, visit Zachary Shapiro’s web site: www.allinthesameboat.com Barbara Bietz is a freelance writer and children’s book reviewer. She is currently a member of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee. Barbara is the author of the middle grade book, Like a Maccabee. She has a blog dedicated to Jewish books for children at www.BarbaraBBookBlog.Blogspot.com.
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Spring 5770/2010 Vol. 28, Number 1
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Now available from the Jewish Book
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JEWISHBOOKAWARDS The following syno
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ANTHOLOGIES AND COLLECTIONS Winner:
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out whom they can trust. In additio
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59 TH NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARDS P
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Finalists: THE WARSAW GHETTO: A GUI
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Page 27 and 28: A Conversation with David Sax By La
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Page 43 and 44: JEWISH SLOW COOKER RECIPES Laura Fr
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Page 51 and 52: Shushan “Shoeshine” Cats, a sel
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