reviews - Jewish Book Council
reviews - Jewish Book Council
reviews - Jewish Book Council
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A CHAT WITH ZACHARYSHAPIRO<br />
By Barbara Bietz<br />
I am thrilled to welcome Zachary<br />
Shapiro to the blog. His first children’s<br />
book, We’re All in the Same<br />
Boat (Putnam), is a delightful<br />
retelling of the story of Noah’s Ark,<br />
beautifully illustrated by Jack E.<br />
Davis. Zach has inspired people of all<br />
ages through original story-telling,<br />
music and heartfelt humor. As the<br />
Rabbi of Temple Akiba in Culver City,<br />
California, Zach finds many ways to<br />
bring new life to old legends. He wrote We’re All in the Same Boat to teach<br />
children and adults how we can motivate and support each other in the face<br />
of tough circumstances. A native of Massachusetts, Zach Shapiro lives in<br />
Southern California with his partner and their dog, “Daisy,” who has barked<br />
her share of complaints on a rainy day!<br />
What was the inspiration for writing<br />
We’re All in the Same Boat?<br />
A few years ago, my sister-in-law, Leora Krygier, published her novel, First the<br />
Raven. At one of her readings, she described how the raven was the first bird to<br />
fly free from Noah’s Ark. And in relating the drama of the book, she used the<br />
phrase, “We’re all in the same boat.” At the moment, something stirred in me.<br />
Noah had always been a favorite story, and I loved making it come to life with<br />
children. And so, I began to think about the tired, restless creatures on Noah’s Ark,<br />
from the ants to the zebras. I went home that night and wrote the first draft of<br />
my manuscript.<br />
Can you share a bit about your writer’s journey?<br />
In my work, I tell stories all the time. But writing stories was a new animal<br />
(pun intended). I had always dreamed of writing a children’s picture book, but I<br />
really had no idea about the process. So I went out and bought The Everything<br />
Guide to Writing Children’s <strong>Book</strong>s. I read it cover to cover. In the back is an index<br />
of publishers, and I researched each of them on line. I made lists of which publishers<br />
would be appropriate for my book. And I considered whether the book should<br />
specifically target the <strong>Jewish</strong> market or not. And so, I carefully selected a handful<br />
of publishers, prepared cover letters, and send out my manuscript.<br />
And I waited. And waited. And waited. And I was rejected. Many times. But all<br />
it takes is one. And when I got a response from Putnam, I leapt for joy!<br />
The illustrations in We’re All in the Same<br />
Boat are delightful. What was your response<br />
when you first saw them?<br />
When Putnam first told me that it usually takes 2-3 years for the book to hit the<br />
shelves, I nearly plotzed. It seems liked forever. But they insisted that we find the<br />
right illustrator. When I learned that they had selected Jack E. Davis, I was thrilled. A<br />
full year went by before I saw Jack’s first sketches. And though I adore Jack’s art, I<br />
didn’t know what to expect. I was a little scared. But my nervous anticipation transformed<br />
into delight. I could never have begun to imagine such amazing illustrations,<br />
and I am in awe that an artist can convey words like, “Vexed” and “Impatient.”<br />
CHILDREN’S REVIEWS<br />
How has your congregation reacted<br />
to your book?<br />
To launch the book, I worked with Temple Akiba to host a premier reading<br />
along with a “blessing of the animals.” We encouraged members and guests to<br />
brings their pets to synagogue after Sunday School. Our front courtyard was filled<br />
with dogs, cats, bunnies, frogs, and even a snake! After the reading, I offered a<br />
special blessing for the joy that our furry friends bring to our lives each day. Later<br />
in the year, our Nursery School embarked on a Noah’s Ark project that received an<br />
award from the Bureau of <strong>Jewish</strong> Education. Young and old alike have been so<br />
enthusiastic about We’re All in the Same Boat. We have sold over 200 copies<br />
through our gift store alone.<br />
What are some fun facts about you?<br />
I grew up in Boston and have lived in the Los Angeles areas since my ordination<br />
from the Hebrew Union College—<strong>Jewish</strong> Institute of Religion in 1997. I was<br />
the Associate Rabbi at University Synagogue in Brentwood for eight years before<br />
becoming the Senior Rabbi at Temple Akiba. My goal in life is to help bring goodness<br />
into the world, one act of purposeful kindness at a time. I am big aviation<br />
fan, and I have a vast library of books about commercial aviation and airports. I<br />
love to bike ride and I enjoy good theatre. My partner, Ron Galperin, and I have a<br />
poodle named Daisy. Who knows... someday you may be reading a book about her<br />
as well!<br />
Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us! To learn more, visit<br />
Zachary Shapiro’s web site: www.allinthesameboat.com<br />
Barbara Bietz is a freelance writer and children’s book reviewer. She is currently<br />
a member of the Sydney Taylor <strong>Book</strong> Award Committee. Barbara is the author<br />
of the middle grade book, Like a Maccabee. She has a blog dedicated to <strong>Jewish</strong><br />
books for children at www.BarbaraB<strong>Book</strong>Blog.Blogspot.com.