Gather ’round dear friends! It’s time to welcome another beautiful book baby into the world!

What a joyful book! Just look at the cover! A celebration of life and family. Usually, for Book Birthdays, I write a short synopsis – but I have something even better today – the beautiful note author Melissa Stoller wrote to me when we were planning this post. It is so touching and so on point to what this book is all about, I wanted to share it.
Thank you dear Vivian – I couldn’t imagine a more wonderful person to celebrate the book birthday of SADIE’S SHABBAT STORIES (illustrated by Lisa Goldberg, Clear Fork Publishing)! I hope that your readers will identify with Sadie, who loves listening to her Nana’s tales of their ancestors and their Shabbat ritual heirlooms. Sadie hopes that one day, she will find her unique voice and tell her own special stories, just like Nana. Lisa Goldberg’s stunning Chagall-like illustrations added incredible beauty to the book, and we were blessed with Mira Reisberg’s excellent art direction and editing.
This picture book is the book of my heart. It combines true stories told by my father and my husband’s grandfather, and it was also inspired by my Nana’s love of storytelling. Underneath it all is my belief that we are all storytellers – and as a mother of daughters, I especially want to lift up the stories of young girls and women.
Thank you for featuring SADIE’S SHABBAT STORIES – I hope that this book, which celebrates family connections and the power of storytelling, will resonate with everyone who loves listening to stories and who has their own tales to tell.

In these challenging times, kids need books that lift them up and encourage them – that’s one of the things I love about SADIE’S SHABBAT STORIES.
Kirkus just gave it an awesome review – here’s just a snippet of that:
“A well-considered, tender tale about sharing history and holidays via the oral tradition.”
And guess what? The fabulous Melissa Stoller is offering a giveaway – and the winner has a choice of either a copy of this wonderful book OR a picture book manuscript critique. That’s so awesome – if the winner is a writer, they might choose the critique. If the winner is a parent or teacher, they might choose the book. Something for everyone!
And on her website, you’ll find a CURRICULUM GUIDE and a link to download lovely coloring pages and also an adorable book trailer:

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA:
Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series, The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection: Return to Coney Island, and the picture books, Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla!, and Sadie’s Shabbat Stories (Clear Fork Publishing). In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal research and writing instructor, and early childhood educator. Additionally, she is a volunteer with SCBWI Metro New York, a blogger and course assistant for the Children’s Book Academy, a founding member of The Book Meshuggenahs group, and a member of the Jewish Book Council’s Literary Society. Melissa lives in New York City, where she is a board member at Temple Shaaray Tefila, and enjoys museums, theatre, and researching ancestry.
TO CONNECT WITH MELISSA:
https://www.melissastoller.com/
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
http://www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
http://www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller
AND TO GET YOUR OWN COPY OF THE BOOK IN CASE YOU DON’T WIN THE GIVEAWAY or even if you do because then you can give one away as a gift:
https://bookshop.org/books/sadie-s-shabbat-stories/9781950169337
Hello, Sadie! Welcome to the world! Great interview, Melissa & Vivian!
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Thank you so much, Rinda! I feel like I have been thinking about and writing SADIE for so long – I can’t believe the book is finally out in the world! 📚💖
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Congrats! I can’t wait to share this heartwarming book with my granddaughter!
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This makes my day! I hope you and your granddaughter will enjoy the book and feel even more connected through the stories Sadie shares with her Nana, as well as through sharing your own stories. Thank you!
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I’m so glad this gorgeous book is in the world, Melissa! What a wonderful way to honor your family’s stories! ❤
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Thank you so much, dear Jolene. I come from a family of great storytellers and I have always wanted to share some of these stories. It took me a while to figure out the way in and I am so glad I finally did. 📚😍
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This looks wonderful! I definitely want to read all book of the heart!
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Thank you so much, Liz. I hope you enjoy the story. I did pour so much of my heart into the book. And when I saw Lisa Goldberg’s stunning illustrations I actually teared up because the stories truly sprang to life. 📚💕
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Ah, the gift of traditions keeps family in our hearts.
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Thanks so much. Yes I was so happy to write about the traditions that connect the generations, and the heirlooms that being back memories. I hope you enjoy the story! 📚💖
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This book looks great, would love to read it to my twins on Shabbos!
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Hi Zachary – that sounds wonderful – I hope you and your twins enjoy the story. It’s all about family and a perfect read on Shabbos! Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
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Congratulations, Melissa! This book sounds like one that will touch everyone’s heart. Thanks to you and Lisa for putting it into the world, and to Vivian for sharing it with us.
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Thank you so much, Rose! I hope it will touch hearts – children, parents, grandparents, and more. Lots of connections to be made between the generations!
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Looking forward to reading this to the kids as we celebrate Shabbat
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Hi Sherry – I hope you and your kids enjoy reading this story as you celebrate Shabbat. Please let me know. Also reminder that I have coloring pages on my website you can print out. Thank you for commenting!
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This book does look like it will bring smiles to readers faces. Thank you for the post about a new book to me.
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Hi Danielle – I sure hope so! I know that kids love looking for the cat and bird that Lisa wove throughout the pages! I smile each time I see the cat especially as well as the rest of the gorgeous art! Thanks for stopping by!
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Thanks, Melissa! What an endearing book!
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Thank you so much, Mary. I hope you love it. I motor new details in the art each time I take another look! Thanks for stopping by!
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How wonderful! This seems like the exact kind of book we need right now. I cannot wait to read it!
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Thank you so much, Carmela! I hope you love it. I agree – especially in these challenging times we all want to connect! Thank for for commenting.
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What a special book! Melissa, congratulations!
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Hi Susan – thank you so much. I hope you enjoy the story! It does feel special to me and I think it will be relatable to kids and adults! Thanks for stopping by!
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Congratulations, Melissa! What a wonderful book! I love the idea of sharing stories, especially a Nana (like me) with her grands. Best wishes!
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Hi Angie – I have such fond memories of sharing stories with my Nana. And my mother does the same with my kids. I hope you enjoy the book with your grands!
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What a beautiful idea for a book, Melissa, I can’t wait to read it. mazal tov!
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Hi Arlene – thank you so much! I had the idea for a long while and I’m so thrilled that it is finally a book! Thank you for stopping by!
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OMG what a wonderful, beautiful book. Mazel Tov! XOXO
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Being Native American, I share family stories with my grandchildren. This book will show them other cultures keep their stories alive by sharing them as well. Thank you!
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