It’s always a joy to be interviewed by Kathy Carroll of Celebrate Picture Books. She never fails to give a detailed description of each book, including photos, and asks fun questions to answer. So when she invited me to talk about my latest picture book, ZAYDE BABYSITS BEFORE PASSOVER, I was all in!

Here’s the full link: https://celebratepicturebooks.com/tag/zayde-babysits-before-passover-childrens-book-review/

Two Pages from the book prompting the questions “Who’s babysitting for whom?”

Some of my favorite quotes from the post:

“…Zayde and Ruthie’s playful antics and will have kids giggling from page to page.”

“A madcap and joyful story for families to share at Passover and whenever grandparents and grandkids get together, Zayde Babysits before Passover would make a wonderful gift and addition to home bookshelves as well as a delightful choice for school and public libraries.”

Thank you, Kathy!

Thank you to the wonderful independent bookstore Belmont Books in Belmont, MA for hosting my storytime and book launch of ZAYDE BABYSITS BEFORE PASSOVER.

I was thrilled with the turnout, especially all the kids who enjoyed crafts associated with the book and the whole crowd for laughing at my jokes and participating enthusiastically in the call and response of the reading.

Here are some photos and a video of the event:

                          Moi with my books for sale that day

I’m smiling to have my sweet husband holding up the pictures and to see my oldest grandchild snuggling with the youngest as they listened to my intro.

Candy wrappers with the book cover on one side and the recurring “Oy!” from the book on the back. They were a hit!

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Craft table where kids could make hats like Zayde wears in the book.

COMING SOON!

News—especially for my peeps in the Boston area: I hope you will join me to welcome ZAYDE BABYSITS BEFORE PASSOVER!
Story Time and Book Launch 
Belmont Books
79 Leonard St.
 Belmont, MA
Saturday, February 8th
11 AM

Link to Event

Come help me celebrate the launch of my new book in this wonderful independent bookstore, listen to the story, and do a fun craft or two!

Link to Preorder

Another happy-making review for ZAYDE BABYSITS BEFORE PASSOVER, this time from School Library Journal:

PreS-Gr 2–Young-at-heart Zayde and his granddaughter Ruthie connect over a day of activities on Passover. Told in part through a to-do list, the story traces a day of activities for Ruthie and her grandfather. Zayde wears a hat decorated with matzah, rides in a shopping cart pushed by Ruthie as they shop for parsley for the seder plate, hides in a cupboard while cleaning up breadcrumbs, and joins Ruthie in eating a mountain of food to keep them full until a late dinner. Emphasizing the fun, Chappell’s playful illustrations sprinkle “Oy!” throughout Zayde’s high jinks. After completing the list left for them, Ruthie and Zayde join her parents and Bubbe, friends, and family for the seder. At the dinner, Ruthie sings “Dayenu” and enjoys matzah ball soup—a reflection of how traditions are passed from one generation to the next.

VERDICT Universal themes of grandparenting and family traditions make this a good addition to holiday collections.

Busy, fun book-filled December weekend!

First was the inaugural Newton Children’s Book Festival (Newton, MA) with over 60 authors and illustrators. A steady stream of shoppers of all ages. Kudos to the organizers. A huge success!

                                  At my table at the festival

Next day was the Dreidel Disco Party at the Greater Boston JCC, a festive event with all kinds of activities, including authors selling and reading our books:

                            My books and moi in the cozy Authors Nook