Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: New Books Network
Host: Mel Rosenberg
Guest: Hannah Shafiroff
Episode: "My Little Book of Big Jewish Holidays" (Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2025)
Date: September 19, 2025

In this episode, Mel Rosenberg interviews author and illustrator Hannah Shafiroff about her debut picture book, "My Little Book of Big Jewish Holidays." The conversation explores the creation of her book, her journey as a writer and artist, and her approach to bringing Jewish traditions to young readers of all backgrounds. Shafiroff describes the book as both an accessible foundation for Jewish holidays and an inclusive celebration of joy, family, and culture.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Genesis & Purpose of the Book

• Debut Work: It's Shafiroff's first book both written and illustrated by her. (02:58)
• Scope & Approach: The book is a 64-page, fully illustrated "treasury" of Jewish holidays. Unlike narrative-driven children's books about holidays, hers focuses on the meaning, rituals, and ways of celebrating.

  “I wanted to create something that was more about the meaning behind the rituals, why we celebrate, how we celebrate…for people who maybe aren't as familiar…or families just starting out on that journey.” — Hannah Shafiroff (03:05)

• Target Audience: Geared for all families—Jewish, interfaith, classrooms, and non-Jewish families who want to learn about Jewish traditions.

  “I wanted it to be joyful…not seen as a burden…something that was a joy to be done together with family and with community…” (03:24)

• Inclusive Structure: No "back matter"—everything needed is in the book: pronunciations, dates, meanings.

  “Everything that you’d need to know is contained within the pages… It’s just going to draw you in a warm hug, I hope.” (04:36)

2. The Art of the Book

• Creator as Illustrator: Shafiroff did all illustrations with acrylic gouache and colored pencil. (05:04)
• Timeline: She created around 30 illustrations in 8 weeks.

  “I only had eight weeks to do the illustrations.” (05:22)

• Favorite Illustrations:
  • Shabbat candle scene: Emphasizing warmth and family.
  • Rosh Hashanah shofar: Dynamic visual spanning the page.

    “The Shabbat candles and the light just wraps all the families around like a ribbon.” (05:13)

3. The Publishing Journey

• Miracle of Book Deals:

  “Having a book deal is a miracle. It's almost like the light that lasted eight days on Hanukkah. How did your miracle happen?” — Mel Rosenberg (05:50)

• Development:
  • Shafiroff’s agent sent her work to publishers; initial attention was for her series of Jewish holiday illustrations.
  • Proposal for a "treasury" created in 6 weeks.
  • Received contract from Bloomsbury after some months. (06:04–07:23)
• Supportive Editorial Team:

  “[Megan Abate] took a chance on me. I had no publishing credentials…she and the team saw something in this, and I’m forever grateful…” (07:28)

4. Personal Background & Influences

• Homeschooling Experience:
  • Avoided traditional school from an early age due to discomfort.
  • Benefited from supportive parents who valued her drawing.

    “It was never like ‘put down the crayons and go do something productive.’ No, they thought it was great…” (08:08)

  • Most of K-12 spent homeschooling, then community college via proficiency exam.

    “I was happier at home. I did better there…my mom…was able to be my teacher...” (08:53)

• Art Education:
  • Discovered joy in college art classes.
  • Attended Cal State Long Beach for illustration.
  • Created pandemic-themed art for her final project.

    “I finished college during the COVID-19 pandemic…turned out really good.” (11:04–13:59)

5. Love for Children’s Books

• Motivation:

  “I like to create things that are happy and whimsical and joyful because then I feel those feelings.” (14:17)

• Emotional Investment:

  “If I'm drawing a kid who's having a tantrum...I got to put on some happy music or else I'm going to get way too affected by this…” (14:17)

6. Finding an Agent

• Serendipitous Discovery:
  • Agent Sorcha Fairbank found her through Instagram's "kidlit postcards."
  • Initial email seemed like spam—her father confirmed its legitimacy.
  • Signed with her at end of the year.

    “I got a follow from someone I didn’t recognize. It would be my agent…but at the time I was like, ‘Who is this?’” (15:28–18:01)

7. About the Book’s Content

• Launch Timing: Released just before Rosh Hashanah. (19:47–19:56)
• Order of Holidays: The book starts with Shabbat, the "foundation of Judaism."

  “More than the Jews have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.” (20:19)

• Childhood Celebrations: Family attended synagogue, celebrated all holidays joyfully, saw being Jewish as a blessing, not a burden.

  “It was seen as a blessing and not a curse to be Jewish, and I took that to heart.” (21:11)

• Favorites:
  • Favorite to celebrate: Shabbat, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot (weather permitting!). (22:56–24:09)
  • Favorite to illustrate: Passover (frogs!).

8. Reading from the Book

• Sample Read – Rosh Hashanah:

  “We eat crisp apples dipped in golden honey to symbolize a sweet new year…round challah to symbolize never-ending goodness in the new year.…we add raisins—extra joy and sweetness.” (24:58–25:27)

9. Research Process

• Fact-Checking:
  • Most knowledge came from her own practice, but required extensive verification.

    "You ask 10 rabbis, you're going to get 12 different opinions." (25:34)

• Purpose:

  “This is just a diplomatic into the traditions and culture…it’s not the Talmud…It’s my little book of big Jewish holidays…to spark a little joy.” (25:34)

10. Future Works & Creative Process

• Fiction Plans: Working on fiction books; more Jewish stories to come (26:42).
• Writing & Illustrating: Prefers to both write and illustrate her own stories; words and images are conceived together.
• Openness to Illustration: Open to illustrating for other authors, but her writing is deeply entwined with her art (27:17).

11. Advice for Aspiring Creators

• Persistence and Joy:

  “You have to keep on creating because you never know what's going to happen. You have to find the joy in that.” (28:22)

• Motivational Songs:

  “I find listening to motivational songs really helpful…when you sing those songs out loud…maybe you're, like, dancing a little bit. It does something to the brain chemistry…” (30:06)

• Celebrate Small Wins:

  “Celebrate every little win, even if it's just with some ice cream…whatever feels right…reminds you why you're doing this.” (31:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why she wrote and illustrated the book:

  “I wanted something that they could, like, dip their toes into…I wanted it to be joyful.” — Hannah Shafiroff (03:08)

• On Shabbat’s importance:

  “More than the Jews have kept Shabbat. Shabbat has kept the Jews.” — Hannah Shafiroff, quoting tradition (20:19)

• On the research process:

  “You ask 10 rabbis, you're going to get 12 different opinions.” — Hannah Shafiroff (25:34)

• On creating:

  “You have to keep on making. You have to keep writing the words, drawing the pictures. You have to keep on creating because you never know what's going to happen…if I'm not creating, something's off.” — Hannah Shafiroff (28:22)

• On overcoming rejection:

  “Every time you get rejected, you listen to a happy song. I love it.” — Mel Rosenberg (31:03)

Key Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |:-------------:|:-------------------------------------------------------| | 01:26 | Host Mel Rosenberg introduces Hannah Shafiroff | | 02:58–04:22 | Hannah describes the book and its purpose | | 05:04–05:32 | Art process and illustrations showcase | | 06:04–07:47 | The road to publication and working with Bloomsbury | | 08:08–13:59 | Personal background, homeschooling, and art education | | 14:06–15:02 | Why children's books and art bring joy | | 15:28–18:01 | How she found her agent | | 19:47–20:56 | Launch timing and book’s starting point (Shabbat) | | 21:11–22:51 | Celebrating holidays in childhood and adulthood | | 22:56–24:24 | Favorite holidays to illustrate and celebrate | | 24:36–25:27 | Excerpt reading: Rosh Hashanah | | 25:34–26:37 | Research process and handling Jewish diversity | | 26:42–27:17 | On writing fiction and illustrating | | 28:22–32:21 | Advice for aspiring writers/illustrators and motivation | | 33:59–34:08 | Closing remarks and mutual appreciation |

Final Thoughts

This episode is an engaging, heartfelt dialogue about cultural celebration, the creative process, and the realities of making it in children’s publishing. Hannah Shafiroff’s passion for Jewish tradition, illustration, and inclusive storytelling shines throughout. Her optimism, practical advice, and personal warmth are matched by Mel Rosenberg’s humor and genuine admiration.

Who should listen:
— Parents (Jewish and non-Jewish), educators, aspiring children’s illustrators and writers, or anyone interested in the intersection of culture, joy, and art for young readers.