- Apr 21
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
(pub. 2.4.2025)
40 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Caroline Kusin Pritchard
Illustrator: Selina Alko
Character: Library at New York Jewish Theological Seminary
Overview:
" A library is a keeper of stories. A keeper of memories. A keeper of hope. But what happens when that keeper is threatened?
When a fire broke out at New York’s Jewish Theological Seminary library in 1966, firefighters raced to the rescue. But by the end of the day, thousands of books had been turned to ashes and the ones that remained were on the brink of ruin. The community was devastated. Would the priceless stories in those waterlogged pages be lost forever? Or could helping hands from every background and corner of the neighborhood come together to become keepers of stories, too?"
Tantalizing taste:
"Hundreds of students and teachers, rabbis and pastors,
neighbors and strangers became 'Operation Booklift.'
They wound up the staircase like the flames had before,
forged together by stories...
An unbreakable one drenched book down, then the next.
For two weeks, they lifted and reached, together.
An unbreakable human chain.
Outstretched hands, keep our stories alive."
And something more: Caroline Kusin Pritchard shared in the Author's Note: "I began researching the catastrophe right as the COVID-19 pandemic was settling into every corner of our world... And yet here in these photographs from decades ago, I witnessed perfect strangers holding hands and passing books from one person to the next... They weren't just salvaging paper, of course. They were working together to fight for the very things that connect all of us: stories."
- Apr 20
How Books Created the World's Greatest Magician
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Knopf Books for Young Readers
(pub. 2.17.2026)
48 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Mar Delmar
Character: Harry Houdini
Overview:
" Houdini is the world's most beloved magician, and he became famous for all of the amazing tricks he accomplished. Houdini knew just how to captivate his audience, whether it was leaping from a bridge or freeing himself from a straitjacket. But in true magician's fashion, he kept a secret so great that not many people knew about, and that was his love for books!
As a young boy in Budapest, Harry learned to read at his father's knee. After the family emigrated to America, Harry grew up to be the amazing Houdini--but never lost his love of reading. He spent the rest of his life collecting all kinds of rare and unusual books, almost entirely about magic."
Tantalizing taste:
"Almost everyone knows Houdini - the most famous magician on earth. Few know about his books. Harry hides parts of himself like he hides lockpicks between his fingers.
The public thinks Houdini is American-born, well-educated, and a natural magician. But real magic is not that simple. For Harry, it began with books ...
... Books are Harry's greatest escape. They spark imagination.
They bring the past to life.
They make home feel like home.
Books transformed a poor, unknown boy into the great Houdini - collector, researcher, student, showman - the world's favorite magic maker."
And something more: Barb Rosenstock shared in the Author's Note: "Book collecting was an unusal hobby for a man with little formal education. From Houdini's perspective, he was following family tradition: 'We have records for five generations that my direct fore-fathers were students and teachers of the Bible and recognied among the leading bibliographers of their time.'
...His highly educated father, Rabbi Mayer Weisz, studied law and wrote essays and poems. When asked to name his favorite author, Houdini answered, 'My dad.'"
In the acknowledgments, Barb included: "And thanks to fellow author Sarah Aronson for insisting on 'magic.'" Thanks for the magic both of you, Barb and Sarah, create in books for children!
- Mar 30
How Septima Clark Led the Civil Rights
Movement to Justice
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Quill Tree Books
(Harper Collins)
(pub. 1.27.2026)
40 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Authors: Yvonne Clark-Rhines with
Monica Clark-Robinson
Illustrator: Abigail Albano-Payton
Character: Septima Clark
Overview:
" Septima Clark was born poor, Black, and a girl. Being one of those things in 1898 was hard, but all three meant that access to education was going to be a fight. But with strong, hard-working women in her life, a determination to learn, and a passion for knowledge, Septima learned to read and write against all odds.
Teaching for Change charts the monumental life of one tenacious woman—once referred to as The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—who made it her mission to bring equity to literacy. Thanks to her efforts, the Black community was able to rise up against oppressive Jim Crow laws that tried to stifle their votes.
Septima persevered through adversity, discrimination, and even wrongful arrests to ensure that the road to liberation remained open for all people. This story is a testament to the power and importance of community-minded action."
Tantalizing taste:
"She would teach anyone who would listen,
and children would gather around to learn.
Even though every card she'd been dealt
was stacked against her,
from a young age, there was a fire in Septima.
Her daddy taught her peace
and her mama taught her strength -
and with those as her guide,
Sepia could always find a way."
And something more: Yvonne Clark-Rhines in Author's Note explains: "Septima was more than a grandmother to me... Mama Seppie had the strength of a lion and the heart of an angel. Mama Seppie is the embodiment of Black Girl (Woman) Magic."
