Animal families seated in a synagogue during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.
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Jane Breskin Zalben, Illustration for Beni’s Tiny Tales: Around the Year in Jewish Holidays, by Jane Breskin Zalben (Christy Ottaviano Books) © 2023 Jane Breskin Zalben.

Telling Tales & Painting Pictures: Writing and Illustrating Jewish Children's Books

Artists & Authors
Talks & Tours
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Auditorium
Free with Museum admission

Hear from award-winning authors and illustrators about the joys (and challenges) of creating children’s books exploring Jewish culture and traditions. Author Heidi E.Y. Stemple moderates the discussion with author/artist Jane Breskin Zalben, authors Richard Michelson and Jane Yolen, and publisher Christy Ottaviano.

Book signing to follow program. Can’t make the event? You may reserve signed books online.

Who You'll Meet
Artist Jane Breskin Zalben

Jane Breskin Zalben

Jane Breskin Zalben is a well-known author and illustrator who has published over fifty books for young readers, including the best-selling Beni holiday series. She is also a cookbook writer, the author of eight novels for older readers, and a painter of abstract art.
Artist website
Author Jane Yolen

Jane Yolen

Jane Yolen is a children’s book author, poet, and young adult novelist. Yolen has written more than 400 books for children and adults. She has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century.
Author website
Author Rich Michelson

Richard Michelson

Richard Michelson is a poet, children’s book author, curator, speaker, and owner of R. Michelson Galleries located in Northampton, MA. His work has earned a Syd­ney Tay­lor Gold Medal and Nation­al Jew­ish Book Award recog­ni­tion.
Author website
Editor Christy Ottaviano

Christy Ottaviano

Christy Ottaviano is VP and Publisher of Christy Ottaviano Books. Christy was Publisher of her eponymous imprint at the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for twelve years prior to moving to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Editor Website
Author Heidi E.Y. Stemple

Heidi E.Y. Stemple

Heidi E.Y. Stemple is the author of more than thirty-five books for children, some of which she coauthored with her mother, Jane Yolen, including Not All Princesses Dress in Pink. She has also published numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children. Once a year she calls owls for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

Author website