Coming in December from Yakamoz Books in Istanbul, the Turkish translation of RANDAL THE ELEPHANT by Ciara Gavin, her picture book about an otter who wants to be an elephant and his story of courage and self-identity. RANDAL THE ELEPHANT is published in the U.S. by Persnickety Press. #kidlitart

Just out from Mazo Publishers: THE MODERN QUEST FOR TORAH UNDERSTANDING: Incisive Essays on Trending Jewish Topics by Rabbi Rafael Grossman, whose real-life stories are the basis of A VISIT TO MOSOW illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg, and GREENHORN illustrated by Miriam Nerlove: www.mazopublishers.com

The Haifa Big Band, Israel’s largest professional jazz orchestra conducted by Jeff Howard, opened its "Jazz on Magical Nights" concert with the world premiere of "Berl's Boogie," written and orchestrated in the 1940s by the late Memphis musician Berl Olswanger: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWC8...

New York Times bestselling author Alina Adams will moderate a panel on "Uncovering Jewish Soviet Stories" with Leah Sokol, author of STANDING TOGETHER, and Yevgenia Nayberg, illustrator of A VISIT TO MOSCOW, at the New York Jewish Book Festival on November 16: mjhnyc.org/new-york-jew...

Remembering Holocaust survivor and cousin George Birman, who died in 2009 on 8 Cheshvan, October 30 this year. Pictured here on the far left in Vienna in 1946 with other members of Bricha, the underground group that helped survivors immigrate to Israel. His Shoah testimony: youtu.be/-I_pgW4N-fQ

Author-illustrator Amanda Hall exhibited her collection of designs for home décor, games and beyond at Brand Licensing Europe in London, which included her art for THE FANTASTIC JUNGLES OF HENRI ROUSSEAU, written by Michel Markel: www.licenseglobal.com/brand-licens... #SchoolLibrarian #kidlitart

Congratulations to Amanda Hall! Her SONG OF THE RAVEN, based on Raven myths from ancient Inuit mythology about respecting Earth and all its creatures, is a 2025 New York City Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite for Picture Books: www.nycbigbookaward.com/2025-favorit... #SchoolLibrarian #kidlitart

Barry Moser has illustrated numerous classics, including Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which won the National Book Award. Thanks to Barry for sending along this image of A VISIT TO MOSCOW, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg, sitting on a shelf in his home library. #SchoolLibrarian #TeacherSky

It's National Cryptid Day! Celebrate the legendary creatures with a sneak peek at the griffin on the cover of CRYPTIDS ON PAPER by Kunal Kundu, his follow-up to WILDLIFE ON PAPER, now out on submission. #EduSky #TeacherSky #Skybrarian #SchoolLibrarian #kidlitart

The Brass Note for Memphis musician Berl Olswanger has just been installed outside A. Schwab's at 163 Beale Street! A. Schwab's pays homage to local music and keepsakes, an appropriate vantage point for viewing the Brass Note of "Mr. Music of Memphis." Thanks to Jeanne Jemison for sending the photo.

From the Kirkus review of EMMIE BUILDS SOMETHING NEW by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall, her picture book about an inventive mouse who defends her attic home from an invading cat: "A sweet social-emotional book that’s the cat’s (and the mouse’s) pajamas": www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews... #kidlitart

Filmmaker Anat Zalmanson-Kuznetsov teaches how to identify the fake news of today using fake news of past Soviet media. Investigating Soviet fake news about Jews was the reason for the real-life trip behind A VISIT TO MOSCOW, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg: en.nativ-education.org.il/lesson/faken...

Celebrate the memory of American composer and boogie-woogie pianist Meade Lux Lewis (born this month in 1905) by listening to "Berl's Yancey," Berl Olswanger's 1953 arrangement of Lewis' "Yancey Special" on the PARMA Recordings release BERL OLSWANGER AT THE PIANO: music.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, here's a glimpse from the original submission package for FLOWERS FOR TÍA LUZ MARIA by author-illustrator Cynthia De La Torre, in which a young girl's aunt shares lessons about life, even after her death. Coming from HarperCollins in 2026. #kidlitart

It's National Sewing Month! Take a peek at the changing cover of LADY SEAMSTRESS, a debut picture book by author-illustrator Abigail Kim, inspired by Abigail's own mother who worked as a seamstress her whole life while helping her children reach for their dreams. Now out on submission. #kidlitart

If you are teaching about the Refusenik era, access these free discussion guides: THE GENIUS UNDER THE TABLE by Newbery Honoree Eugene Yelchin (www2.candlewick.com/book_files/1...) and the Eisner nominated A VISIT TO MOSCOW, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg (www.creatorsassemble.org/educator-tools)

Author-illustrator Rich Lo says that the erhu, the traditional Chinese two-stringed instrument, conveys a range of complex emotions to him, making him think of China and his immigrant father who loved the instrument. Here's a sneak peek at Rich's MY FATHER'S ERHU, now out on submission. #kidlitart

A behind-the-scenes interview in "Graphic Memoir Blog" by Jonathan Sandler about bringing the Eisner nominated A VISIT TO MOSCOW to life with photographs of the characters' real-life counterparts and sketches by illustrator Yevgenia Nayberg: jsandlergraphicmemoir.substack.com/p/interview-...

Celebrating the life of Fannie Collins, born this week in 1898, with a glimpse from SWEET POTATO PUDDING, her story of climbing the racial ladder of the 1920s-1930s. Written by Michael Caviness, with added text by Quinn McGowan, and art by Nia Palmer and Brittany Moore. Now out on sub. #kidlitart

Thanks to researcher Matt Timberlake for sending this Berl Olswanger ad from December 1947. Matt has been working with The Hebrew Watchman newspaper on the occasion of its 100th anniversary to uncover relics from the Jewish Memphis past: jewishscenemagazine.com/the-hebrew-w... #musicians #jazz

Mazal tov to the Edyth Geiger English Library in Tzfat, which this week celebrated a half-century of sharing English language literacy in northern Israel, and where the Eisner nominated A VISIT TO MOSCOW, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg, sits on its Graphic Novel bookshelf: www.geigerlibrary.org

From the Foreword review of Marjorie Crosby-Fairall's EMMIE BUILDS SOMETHING NEW: "Intricate illustrations reminiscent of the I Spy book series open up the world of Emmie the mouse, an avid inventor who lives in a cluttered attic": www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/emmi... #SchoolLibrarian #kidlitart

Thanks to Judy Goldman for translating ILLA'S SECRET by Panthera founder Alan Rabinowitz, the story of a pre-Columbian disabled boy befriending a disabled jaguar, now on submission to Spanish-language publishers. Illustrated by award-winning Mexican artist Israel Barrón. #SchoolLibrarian #kidlitart

From the CAMERA Education Institute review by Marjorie Gann of A VISIT TO MOSCOW, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg: "The Chirico-like receding streetscapes evoke the power of the totalitarian state to reduce what is human to nothingness": www.camera-edu.org/review/a-vis... #SchoolLibrarian

Author Erica Lyons includes UNO DOS TRES, a counting book in Ladino illustrated by Nathalie Belhassen and written by singer Sarah Aroeste, in her "New Board Books Filled with Jewish Joy" post, part of her series for Judith Magazine: judithmagazine.substack.com/p/uno-dos-tres #Skybrarian #kidlitart

Celebrating the birth this month in 1908 of Miriam Rothschild, who made the scientific case for wildflowers and grasses as a vital part of our ecosystem. Here's a sneak peek at WILD ABOUT THE WEEDS! by Amanda Hall about the life of the visionary scientist. Now out on submission. #kidlitart

Discover the Listopia "Novels About Soviet Jewry" featuring award-winning adult fiction about post WWII Soviet Jews, including books by Heather Morris and Alina Adams and the crossover (ages 12+) A VISIT TO MOSCOW, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg. Vote/add books: www.goodreads.com/list/show/23...

August is National Crayon Collection Month! Take a sneak peek at FINDING BABA by Kunal Kundu, his new picture book that he illustrated with oil pastels as a way of revisiting his childhood love of drawing with crayons. A poignant, yet hopeful story of loss. Now out on submission. #kidlitart

International Bat Night is coming! Celebrate with BAT'S MOONLIGHT FEAST by Gordon McMillan, illustrated by Carly Allen-Fletcher, the story of a tube-lipped nectar bat and her nocturnal search for the rare flower and nectar that sustains her: www.globepequot.com/978149303660... #SchoolLibrarian

Apply for a Books Unbanned Library Card! The Brooklyn Public Library invites readers ages 13–21 to apply for a free BPL eCard: www.bklynlibrary.org/books-unbann.... Get access to the library's full eBook/audiobook collection, including A VISIT TO MOSCOW: discover.bklynlibrary.org/item?b=12550...

In honor of National Stuffed Green Bell Pepper Day, enjoy this peek at THREE PEPPERS by Aiko Ikegami, her endearing story of a green bell pepper longing to be included in the same dish with a jalapeño pepper and a red chili pepper. Now out on submission. #Skybrarian #SchoolLibrarian #kidlitart

In honor of Black Cat Appreciation Day, here's a sneak peek at A WONDERFUL THING by author-illustrator Jeffrey Turner, his picture book about a black cat who provides shelter to a homeless man. Now out on submission. #EduSky #TeacherSky #Skybrarian #SchoolLibrarian #kidlitart

In "A Literary Loser Joins the Crowd," New York Times best-selling author Alina Adams asks, "Is More Authors Better Then One?" after her interview with Anne Blankman, Leah Cypess, Anna Olswanger, and Eugene Yelchin about Soviet Jewish themed books for children: alinaa.substack.com/p/is-more-au...

The Pennsylvania Center for the Book has announced its "Baker's Dozen" Children's Booklist for 2025 and Ann Kim Ha's A FRIEND FOR EDDY is one of the titles! Visit the "Baker’s Dozen" site for tips on using the book: pabook.libraries.psu.edu/awards-conte... #TeacherSky #Skybrarian #SchoolLibrarian

Celebrate "Global Sleep Under the Stars Night" with a copy of HELLO by Aiko Ikegami, her wordless picture book that shows the power of friendship and communication across the galaxies: www.crestonbooks.co/hello #EduSky #TeacherSky #Skybrarian #SchoolLibrarian #kidlitart

Thanks to Marist College librarian Deborah Thomas whose article on "Genre Audiences" includes an anonymous quote from "the literary agent" of A VISIT TO MOSCOW, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg, which sits on the shelf of the Marist College Library: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... #Skybrarian

Congratulations to author-illustrator Ann Kim Ha! A FRIEND FOR EDDY, her Hitchcockian suspense picture book that features an unusual friendship, is an Alabama School Library Association Yellowhammer Honor Book: sites.google.com/view/aslalib... #TeacherSky #Skybrarian #SchoolLibrarian #kidlitart

From the Shelf Awareness review of EMMIE BUILDS SOMETHING NEW by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall: "Inventive, detailed, and unexpectedly tender, Emmie Builds Something New celebrates the power of imagination and the surprising places it can lead": www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?i... #kidlitart

Remembering trombonist Art Sutton, known as the "Wicked Tailgate Trombone in the South," who died this month in 1988. Art's "Sutton's Lick," co-written with Berl Olswanger, is one of the tracks on the PARMA recording BERL OLSWANGER AND THE OLSWANGER BEAT.: music.amazon.com/albums/B0DZ1...

From the review by author Jonathan Sandler of the graphic novel A VISIT TO MOSCOW, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg, in the GraphicMemoir blog: "In Olswanger and Nayberg’s hands, it becomes something more—a compact graphic novel that transcends its page count:" graphicmemoir.co.uk/f/graphic-no...

It's the "wet season" in the Everglades with lush vegetation and vibrant colors. Take a sneak peek at IN THE EVERGLADES by Gordon McMillan with art by Carly Allen-Fletcher, their picture book that introduces a unique place and a misunderstood animal. Out on submission. #SchoolLibrarian #kidlitart

This summer discover JOSEPHINE: THE DAZZLING LIFE OF JOSEPHINE BAKER by Patricia Hruby Powell with art by Christian Robinson, and visit the exhibition celebrating Josephine's active role in the resistance against Nazi Germany, at The Resistance Museum Amsterdam: www.verzetsmuseum.org/en/josephine...

When Rabbi Rafael Grossman, the real-life rabbi of A VISIT TO MOSCOW, traveled to the USSR in 1965, he wrote these notes about Parshat Pinchas, that week's Torah portion. Perhaps it was prophetic that he soon met the little boy Zev, whose father might be likened to the zealot Pinchas in the parsha?

Congratulations to Amanda Hall! Her SONG OF THE RAVEN, based on Raven myths from ancient Inuit mythology about respecting Earth and all its creatures, won Gold in Design/Illustration, Silver in Interior Design, and Silver in Total Book Design in the Midwest Book Awards: mipa.org/midwest-book...

Author and reviewer Jonathan Sandler interviews THE MIRACLE SEED author-illustrator Martin Lemelman about his graphic memoir for adults, Mendel's Daughter, which Martin adapted into the graphic novel for young readers GOLDIE'S FOREST, now out on submission: graphicmemoir.co.uk/f/wwii-graph...

The Turner Publishing Storefront is now live on Amazon with curated picks in one destination. Explore genre spotlights from Historical Fiction to YA, where you'll find bestselling and gift-worthy books including the Eisner nominated A VISIT TO MOSCOW, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg: bit.ly/4eZNEDn

Join author and illustrator Michelle Markel and Amanda Hall on July 24 for a virtual conversation about the making of their book OUT OF THIS WORLD: THE SURREALIST ART OF LEONORA CARRINGTON. Sponsored by the Katonah Museum of Art. Register free: www.simpletix.com/e/artists-in... #SchoolLibrarian

Summer and kites go hand-in-hand. Here's one from CHINESE KITE FESTIVAL by Rich Lo, his stunning picture book that introduces children to Chinese animal names and their significance in Chinese culture through simple bilingual text and accessible back matter: holidayhouse.com/book/chinese...

Happy 4th of July! Celebrate the American dedication to the pursuit of freedom for all people with A VISIT TO MOSCOW, which the Jewish Voice and Opinion called "a graphic memoir about a time when the American Jewish community was activated to respond as one to the plight of Soviet Jewry."

It's summer when bats are highly active in the evening. Enjoy this look at BAT'S MOONLIGHT FEAST by Gordon McMillan with art by Carly Allen-Fletcher, the story of a tube-lipped nectar bat and her nocturnal search for the rare flower and nectar that sustains her: www.globepequot.com/978149303660...