Description

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Lesléa Newman’s picture book Here Is the World is a joyous celebration of the Jewish holidays throughout the year for young children that’s “both lovely and eminently useful” (Kirkus Reviews)—illustrated by Susan Gal.
 
Here is the world, ever changing and new,
Spinning with joy at the wonder of you!
 
Beginning with the weekly observance of Shabbat, readers join a family through the holidays and the corresponding seasons. From sounding the shofar on Rosh Hashanah to lighting the menorah for Chanukah to rattling a grogger for Purim, and on through the Jewish year, the joy and significance of each holiday beautifully come to life.
 
In addition to the narrative text, there is a description of each holiday in the back matter along with an easy craft or recipe.
 
“Illustrating the change of seasons, Gal’s charcoal and digital collage images effervesce with cheery colors, moving from the radiant gold, yellows, and reds of autumn to the greens and blues of spring—with a stop in snowy winter for Chanukah, of course.” —Publishers Weekly
 

About the Author

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Lesléa Newman is the author of 80 books for readers of all ages, including the novel-in-verse October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard; the short story collection A Letter to Harvey Milk; the dual memoir-in-verse I Carry My Mother and I Wish My Father; the picture books Sparkle Boy and The Boy Who Cried Fabulous; and the children’s classic Heather Has Two Mommies. Her honors and literary awards include the Matthew Shepard Foundation Making a Difference Award, a National Endowment for the Arts poetry fellowship, two American Library Association Stonewall Honors, two National Jewish Book Awards, the Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award, and the Massachusetts Book Award. From 2008–10, she served as the poet laureate of Northampton, Massachusetts. Seven of her poems from October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard are included in the libretto of Considering Matthew Shepard, a fusion oratorio composed by Craig Hella Johnson. Newman lives in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Susan Gal has illustrated numerous children's books. Her accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award and National Jewish Book Award. She began her illustration career as a poster and calendar artist, then worked as an "actor with a pencil" for Disney Animation before returning to her native California to create fun and whimsical illustrations.

Praise For…

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"A distinctive and welcome addition."
— Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

"These warm illustrations and cheery verses will likely build anticipation all year long."
— Sarah Hunter