Richard Michelson, FANNY'S BIG IDEA: How Jewish Book Week Was Born

Summary

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Totally Booked with Zibby

Guest: Richard Michelson

Episode: Richard Michelson, FANNY'S BIG IDEA: How Jewish Book Week Was Born

Date: December 3, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode features a lively interview between host Zibby Owens and author Richard Michelson about his new children's book, Fanny's Big Idea: How Jewish Book Week Was Born. Michelson shares the untold story of Fanny Goldstein, the pioneering Jewish librarian who founded what became Jewish Book Month a century ago, and discusses her visionary work in promoting cultural understanding through books. The conversation explores Goldstein's legacy, the making of the book, and the role of children's literature in fostering empathy and cultural pride.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Who Was Fanny Goldstein?

• Fanny's Legacy:
  • First Jewish librarian at the Boston Public Library; founded Jewish Book Week (now Jewish Book Month), the Jewish Book Council, and various other culturally focused book celebrations (Negro Book Month, Catholic Book Week, Boston Red Sox Week).
  • Goldstein's core belief: learning about other people makes it harder to dislike them, a forerunner to the "windows and mirrors" concept in children’s literature.
• Quote:

  “Fannie was the forerunner of what we know today as windows and mirrors, which means every child deserves to see themselves in picture books and every child deserves to see other cultures.”
  — Richard Michelson [16:14]

2. Why Write About Fanny Now?

• Centennial Celebration:
  • The book coincides with the 100th anniversary of Jewish Book Week/Month (November 13 - December 13).
  • Michelson: “That’s the why now, because it’s obviously wanted to tie in with this anniversary.” [03:53]
• Research Origins:
  • Sparked when Michelson attended the Fanny Goldstein lecture while receiving a Sidney Taylor Award in 2018.
  • Noted the scarcity and contradiction of information online about Fanny Goldstein.
  • PJ Library and Penguin Random House expedited the project to meet the centennial.

3. The Process of Creating ‘Fanny’s Big Idea’

• Idea List:
  • Michelson keeps a running list of book ideas—this was #114.
• Swift Publishing Experience:
  • Unlike typical publishing timelines, editor Laurie Hornick responded immediately and secured illustrator Alyssa Russell, even before a contract was signed.
  • “She emailed me back not only to say she was going to do it and get it out in time, she had already hired an illustrator.” [09:02]
• Illustrations:
  • Zibby praises the artwork for representing the diversity Fanny championed:

    “They’re endearing, evocative… really captures Judaism, but all races and all backgrounds, which was so important to Fanny.” [10:13]

4. Fanny’s Advocacy for Diversity and Empathy Through Books

• Champion for Inclusion:
  • Goldstein worked to highlight books from every culture in her branch as community demographics shifted, refusing to let her library ignore or erase immigrant and minority experience.
  • Encouraged children and their parents to learn their own heritage rather than focus solely on assimilation:

    “She decided she would have a week… to focus on Jewish books so she could teach the children, but also the parents.” [19:47]

• Facing Challenges:
  • Overcame male colleagues' appropriation of her idea (permitting them for the greater cause, then asserting her place when necessary).
  • Fought for equal pay and recognition for women speakers at a time when such demands were rare.
  • Quote:

    “She realized that men are very happy to take the credit for things, but they don’t want to do the work.” [22:35]
    “If she was on a panel and was the only woman, she would very delicately say that she had a ready list of other women speakers who could join the panel.” [23:55]

• Fanny’s Temperament:
  • “She could be sharp, she could be crusty. She reminded me of a couple of my aunts.” [24:24]

5. Cultural Memory and the Importance of Stories

• Personal Connection:
  • Michelson reflects on his late discovery of his own family history, echoing Fanny’s mission.
  • “I was an adult before I even knew where my grandparents came from. I considered myself a somewhat intelligent person … but I didn’t know where my own grandfather came from.” [18:43]
• Book as Legacy:
  • The story illuminates how small steps—highlighting heritage, bringing community together—can create institutions that last a century.
  • Zibby:

    “I now want to know more about her than even your book. Let’s see the movie about Fanny Goldstein!” [21:49]

6. Jewish Book Month Details and Lasting Impact

• Why November to December?
  • Follows the lunar calendar typical of Jewish holidays, shifting annually.
  • The Jewish Book Council is using an illustration from Michelson’s book on their official poster this year. [25:57]
• Fanny’s Broader Vision:
  • "She thought that society would be improved if we all learned more about each other." [20:53]
• Current Relevance:
  • Return of book bans and assaults on literature makes Fanny’s inclusive, empathetic message more urgent:

    “It’s such a shame to me as this book’s coming out to see how quickly this, which seems just common sense, is being reversed.” [16:43]

7. Michelson’s Favorite Jewish Books and Authors

• Poetry:
  • Yehuda Amichai is Michelson's go-to Jewish poet, keeping Amichai’s collected poems in his glove compartment and by his bed. [27:20]
• Children’s Literature:
  • Friendships and admiration for Leslie Newman (Heather Has Two Mommies), Mordecai Gerstein, Jane Yolen (The Devil’s Arithmetic, recently banned), Geraldine Brooks (People of the Book), and more.
  • Recommendation for the Yetzirah organization for Jewish poets.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cultural Empathy:

  "The more you know about someone, the harder it is not to like them."
  — Richard Michelson, echoing Fanny Goldstein [16:02]

• On the Book’s Urgency:

  “I’ve never had a response so quickly. She emailed me back not only to say she was going to do it and get it out in time, she had already hired an illustrator.”
  — Richard Michelson [09:00]

• On Personal Heritage:

  “I could name the kings and queens of England… but I didn’t know where my own grandfather came from.”
  — Richard Michelson [18:42]

• On Fanny’s Strategic Humility:

  “She said, it’s for me, the end is more important than people knowing I did it.”
  — Richard Michelson [22:19]

• On Women’s Representation:

  “If she was on a panel and was the only woman, she would very delicately say that she had a ready list of other women speakers who could join the panel.”
  — Richard Michelson [23:49]

• On Book Bans:

  “It’s such a shame to me…to see how quickly this…is being reversed, the book bans that are going on, the assaults on literature.”
  — Richard Michelson [16:43]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:53] – Why Richard wrote the book now; Fanny’s background
• [07:20] – Fanny’s influence and the role of PJ Library
• [08:00] – The swift journey to publication and illustration
• [16:02] – Fanny’s philosophy: empathy and "windows and mirrors"
• [19:20] – Fanny’s response to assimilation and cultural erasure
• [21:01] – How Fanny’s efforts grew into lasting change
• [22:03] – Fanny dealing with male appropriation; strategic humility and later assertion
• [25:57] – Why Jewish Book Month is on lunar dates; poster recognition
• [27:07] – Michelson’s favorite Jewish poets and authors

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Tone, Language, and Atmosphere

• Warm, conversational, and deeply appreciative of literature’s power.
• Zibby expresses sincere curiosity and admiration; Richard’s responses are passionate, insightful, and often lightly humorous.
• The episode brims with pride in Jewish cultural contributions and a heartfelt call to preserve diverse voices.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode shines a spotlight on the legacy of Fanny Goldstein, the founding spirit of Jewish Book Month, and her dedication to cultural understanding through literature. Richard Michelson’s vivid storytelling, paired with Zibby Owens’ enthusiastic questioning, brings to life the story of a woman who believed in the transformative power of books for children and communities alike. The conversation serves as both a celebration of an overlooked historical figure and a timely reflection on the urgent need for empathy, inclusivity, and the defense of books and stories for all.

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Transcript

[A]

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[A]

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[B]

Can't I just let it go? I wish I would stop thinking so much.

[A]

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[B]

Well, thank you. And it's an absolute pleasure. I love finally meeting you because you're doing so many wonderful things and for the book world, for the Jewish world. So thank you.

[A]

Oh, you're so welcome. Okay. Read the whole book to my kids. I was like, okay, identify different Jewish objects in here, even though they're, like, way too old for that game. But it's fine. They loved it. It was very inspiring. Tell everybody a little bit about not only the book and what it is about, but how you came to write it and why now?

[B]

Well, why now? We'll start there because this is the hundredth anniversary of Jewish Book Week. Now, Jewish Book month. It starts November 13th through December 13th. And it was started 100 years ago by Fanny Goldstein, who was the first Jewish librarian. She was at the Boston Public Library, and she's an amazing, amazing person. We'll talk a little bit about that later and how I came to write it. Well, that's the why now? Because it's obviously wanted to tie in with this anniversary. Fanny was also started the Jewish Book Council, and which, you know, has been just absolutely wonderful for Jewish authors for a long time. So I actually, this is a busy year for me. I have four books out, so I've been running around like crazy. And I actually, you know, they were all sold in different years. My book that came out a couple of weeks ago about Louis Brandeis was sold five years ago. This was sold a year ago. So that's how publishing works sometimes. But I actually keep a list. Every time I come across an idea that interests me, I write it down on a list. I first heard the name Fannie Goldstein. I was very fortunate to win the Sidney Taylor Gold Medal twice now, but from the association of Jewish Libraries. And when I went in 2018 to get my award, there was a Fannie Goldstein lecture going on, and I went to it, and that's the first time I heard the name. I noticed that the Fanny Goldstein Award has been given out for a number of years. And a lot of my friends, Jewish librarians that I knew had gotten this award. And whenever I, you know, either I get an award or somebody I know gets an award, I'm always curious under whose aegis that is coming. So I looked up Fannie Goldstein and I was amazed, number one, how little information there was online about her. And number two, they all contradicted each other. You know, when she was born, when she died, when she did things. Even on the Jewish Book Council site, the information turned out to be incorrect. So I wrote it, I jotted it into my little note pad. I now have 114 ideas. I'm not going to live that long, even if I continue as many books as I had this year. But about a year ago I got a call from the PJ Library. And I hope many of your listeners know about the PJ Library. If you sign up for free, you will get a free Jewish themed children's book from the time your child is born until I think they're 8, 9 or 10 years old every month. It's amazing. A lot of people know Dolly Parton's Book Club. This is a wonderful idea started by Harold Grinspone and Foundation.

[A]

I did it for my kids, by the way, and thought it was just the greatest thing. I was like, I cannot believe this is free. This is amazing.

[B]

How old are your children?

[A]

Well, now my. I have two 18 year olds and a 12 year old and a 10 year old. But back in the day with my older kids, I would eagerly look forward to the new book that I didn't even have to think about just to run and entertained us.

[B]

It's amazing. And all over the world they give these books out. Just everybody go to their site and sign up. I mean, you don't even have to be Jewish. You just get books.

[A]

P.J. library. If I remember, I'll add it to the show notes. PJ Library. Okay, keep going.

[B]

So I was fortunate in that they have used, I think now six or seven of my books. And an earlier book this year about the first Seder in the White House. Next year in the White House was PJ Library idea. They came to me and asked me to write that book. So I got a call from them and they had mentioned that the Jewish Book Council had called them and asked if it was possible to get a book on the history of the Jewish Book Council. And they called me and said, geez, it was on my list. But we only have a year to go until the anniversary. It's possible it's not going to happen. It can't. As I said, my last book was five years. Usually it's two or three years. So I said, it's absolutely impossible. Not going to happen. And then, of course, I sat down and started to write it, because I thought, even if it doesn't happen, Fannie Goldstein is a person people need to know. So I wanted to start writing about her. And then I sent it out, and I actually wrote to Laurie Hornick, Penguin Random House, at her. I did not know her, but I had just read an article about her in Publishers Weekly talking about her background. And I thought, oh, this might be interesting. And I wrote her an email saying, I know this can't happen in time for the 100th anniversary, but I think this is an important book. Are you interested? Could you look at it, et cetera? And I've never had a response so quickly. She emailed me back not only to say that she was going to do it and get it out in time, she had already hired an illustrator. And that's Alyssa Russell, who. She'd been waiting. This is Alyssa's first book. She did an amazing job.

[A]

She did an amazing job.

[B]

And so we started working on it even before I had a contract.

[A]

Wow. Yeah.

[B]

That's how it came to be.

[A]

That's amazing. I love that story. The illustrations really are fabulous. I'm holding it up for those who are listening. And, you know, they're endearing, evocative. There's so much on each page. The colors are lovely. It really captures Judaism. But all the races and all the backgrounds, which is so important to Fanny, and that was one of the things that she really advocated for, which we learn in your book, is that, yes, she started Jewish Book Month, but she also started what was then called Negro Book Month and other Book Months, and really wanted to expose people to all different cultures and ideas. And her main thesis, which you repeat in the book, is how if you understand more about how a person feels, you can put yourself in their shoes. It's sort of. She's like the empathy queen here. So tell me a little bit about that. Today's episode is sponsored by Aura Frames. Okay. Who else is looking for easy, thoughtful, fabulous gifts to give people that you love? 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[B]

Well, you know, basically she always said the more you know about someone, the harder it is not to like them. And in a sense, Fannie was the forerunner of what we know today as windows and mirrors, which is in the children book world. What you know, the most important I think wave in the last 20 years is Windows and mirrors, which means that every child deserves to see themselves in picture books and every child deserves to see other cultures and how other people live. And it's such a shame to me as this book's coming out to see how quickly this, which seems just common sense, how it's being reversed, the book bans that are going on, the assaults on literature. You know, Fanny, as I am would be, you know, heartbroken to see what she started in that sense. That Being turned back. But, you know, she wanted. She wanted to know about. She was curious. She wanted to know about everybody's history, and she wanted to, you know, know how other people were raised, what their traditions were. She was at the Boston Public Library. Every time a new group of people moved into the neighborhood, she was at. You know, Jews moved out, blacks moved in, blacks moved out, Chinese moved in. Every time things started to change, she made sure that her library was stocked by writers of that ethnicity and by, you know, stories about the culture. You know, her big Jewish Book Week started because in her generation, and really in my generation as well, I was raised to fit in and be all American. You know, we hid our Judaism. We wanted, you know, to, you know, to play baseball, to, you know, it was how the main thing was to fit in, to not stand out, to assimilate into American culture. And especially for an immigrant like Fannie. And she was an immigrant, as were so many people who did so many good things in this country. She. When she got the job at the Boston Public Library, what she noticed was that people of her generation were giving their children books, all American books. They weren't talking to their children about where they immigrated from, what their life was like in the old country. I was an adult before I even knew where my grandparents came from. You know, I considered myself a somewhat intelligent person. You know, I could name the kings and queens of England, Russian literature, but I didn't know where my own grandfather came from.

[A]

And where did he. Where did he come from?

[B]

Well, you know, my family is from Poland, Austria. The borders changed regularly. You know, my grandfather is from Tasmanica now. In fact, I'm researching it more as I start looking for dual citizenship in places I might need to escape to at this time in my life. I'm sorry that that even comes into my mind, but I didn't know. And Fanny realized that children in her library didn't know where they came from and where their parents came from, and their parents didn't want them to know. So she decided that she would have a week in her library where she would focus on Jewish books so she could teach the children, but also the parents. So she made a little table. She invited everyone she knew. She had been part of this Saturday evening Girls Club of immigrants in Boston, and she welcomed everyone. I mean, she had a Christmas tree there. She was not, you know, she was totally welcoming. As you mentioned, Zibi, she started Jewish Book Week. She started Negro Book Week. She started Catholic Book Week. She started Boston Red Sox Week. That's Right.

[A]

I read that that was funny later on.

[B]

But she thought that society would be improved if we all learned more about each other.

[A]

She's right. I mean, it's such a simple message and yet it's so powerful. And I wish more people would pick it up and embrace it. And I love in the book how you really take us through the stages. Right? It seems like when people start things, it can be easy to think. Like, oh, she just founded Jewish Book Week. Like, well, how, how did she take her interest in books? How did, where did her interest come from? What was her next step? Oh, the Saturday evening club, like with her friends. And you know, how everything grew into something that can now persist for, you know, a century. But it was the little steps she took based on interests, like, let's get these people together, let's highlight women more, let's do this. And it all built on itself. And it's just so. It's lucky that her work is not forgotten. It's lucky you put your mind to it. I now want to know more about her than even your book. Like, let's see the movie about Fanny Goldstein. Like, who is she? What was her temperament? More like, you know, she was such a great advocate.

[B]

She was a tough old lady. She was a tough lady. If you read her letters. It's kind of interesting when you say how these things grow. At one point there was a rabbi who took credit a couple of years, a few years after for having started Jewish Book. And Fanny decided to allow that because originally she said, it's not about me and a well known rabbi whose name we won't mention, Rabbi Felix Mendelssohn of Chicago. But if a well known rabbi is going to claim Jewish Book Week, then maybe it will reach more people and it will spread longer. And she said, it's, you know, for me, the end is more important than people know. It's I who did it. So this rabbi claimed it. And then a couple of years later, she realized, as she said, that men are very happy to take the credit for things, but they don't want to do the work. And what she found was this rabbi did nothing to promote the book. She wrote an editorial exposing. She said she was less angry than ashamed that someone who proposes to be a man of God, his ego is so great that you know, he will betray, etc. Etc. And that taught her something. She went on, if she was asked to speak at any group or library, she would insist that she get paid the same amount of any man that they invited to speak because of course, at the beginning they all wanted her to come for free, but they were paying other people. She said no. If she was on a panel and was the only woman, she would very delicately say that she had a ready list of other women speakers who could join the panel. And she really helped and promoted other people. But she also, you know, she could be sharp, she could be crusty. She reminded me of a couple of my aunts. And researching her life was difficult because women's as much as she wrote, her papers were not considered important for the future. Men's writings were not. I mean, so a lot of this was. I had to track down her nieces. She never had any children, but she did have sisters and brothers. And I have to say, you know, it took me quite some time to get anyone to talk to me to think that what right I had to write her story. But eventually her family welcomed this. You know, I said, you know, more people need to know about this woman and her accomplishments and it's just thrilling for me to be part of that.

[A]

Well, I don't know why you wouldn't have the right to write it. I mean, it's amazing that it was written, that the research was done and that new people can learn about this, you know, really hardworking, book loving woman who has changed how we read and all that in terms of Jewish Book Month, which is starting soon. And actually some of the episodes from my live show are going to be on Jewish Broadcasting Service TV during Jewish Book Month to celebrate that. So that's pretty cool. Tell me about why it starts in the middle of the month. People might not understand. Why is it November 13 to December 13 and not say, November?

[B]

Yeah, well, we're on a lunar calendar as opposed to solar Canada. I'm not quite sure how the, you know, the dates work. Every year is different, of course, so our holidays fall on different dates every year as opposed to most Christian holidays. You know, the calendar gets confusing. I always have to look it up because every holiday is starting. But I'm happy to say that the Jewish Book Council is using one of Alyssa's drawings from this book as their poster for the month.

[A]

Oh, good.

[B]

You know, many JCCs or communities will receive a poster advertising Jewish Book Month.

[A]

Oh, that's great.

[B]

The dates are right on there so.

[A]

You'Ll know so no one will get confused or upset or anything else. That's amazing. Do you have any favorite Jewish books that are your go tos?

[B]

Well, I mean, I'm primarily a poet. In fact, you had one of my Good friends on not all that long ago. Owen Lewis.

[A]

Yes, I did.

[B]

Whose book of poetry I was honored to blurb when Owen asked me to do so. So I mean, my. Without mentioning, because I know so many, so many writers, I will go to the previous generation. My own favorite Jewish poet is Yehuda Amachai, who I think is. I mean, I keep one book in the glove compartment of my car in case I break down sometime or run off the road and need something to read. And that is Yudi Amachai's Collected Poems. To me, the right. Another copy. I have another copy right by my bed. Whenever I want to be inspired, I pick it up. There are so many. I was recently teaching at yitzhara, which is the national organization of Jewish poets. So for people who are interested, go to their site, Y E T Z I R A H. And there's a whole host of Jewish poets there and they do an annual conference which is absolutely wonderful children's books. You know, so many of my friends, my good friends write children's books. You know, one of my. I live here in Western Massachusetts where among my closest friends are Leslie and Newman, who many people know for Heather Has Two Mommies, one of the most banned books of all time, but certainly many, many wonderful Jewish children's books as well. Leslie and I had the good fortune of going to Israel together. Harold Grinspoon from the PJ Library footed the bill and brought us there. We have a little group as well. Mordecai Gerstein, who did wonderful children's books, was a dear friend of mine who passed away. Jane Yolin lives right around here for people who know her. Devil's Arithmetic, recently one of the classics and also recently banned in this great wave that is trying to take everything. And you know, I think before, before we started recording, I mentioned my friend Geraldine Brooks, her novels, which are amazing. I always hate to start doing this because I have so many.

[A]

I know I don't usually ask. I was just curious.

[B]

But Geraldine, you know, her People of the Book is one of my favorites. And I mean just about everything she writes is. Is amazing. And I'm talking to you. You see, behind me my day job is I handle original artwork, careers and illustrated work. Some of the artists I represent or Leonard Baskin, many people probably know his Haggadah, but also the Holocaust Memorial in Ann Arbor, the FD Hall Memorial in dc, Those projects that I did with Leonard, he passed away years, years ago. And many of the illustrators on your most looking to full books for putting me on that list. Many of the people when I looked at the list are illustrators I represent. I think Brian Collier was on your most recent list. And if you come into my gallery, work by Jerry Pinkney, Ezra Jack Keats, Maurice Sendak, Jules Pfeiffer, you know all the greats. So it's, it's an absolute pleasure.

[A]

Well, thank you so much. Thank you for this beautiful and important book. And it's so perfectly timed. I'm glad that an editor saw the urgency of it and got right to work. So thank you so much and for all the work, of course, that you do and have done for years. So thank you. Thank you for coming on.

[B]

Appreciate it. And I encourage everyone to listen to your shows and also your book on being Jewish now. And as you continue with that, it's a great, great resource.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

A pleasure.

[A]

Thank you so much. Thank you. All right. Bye, Richard. Thank you. Bye. Thank you for listening to Totally Booked with Zibby, formerly Moms don't have Time to read Books. If you loved the show, tell a friend, leave a review, Follow me on Instagram Ibby Owens and just spread the word. Thanks so much. Oh, and buy the books. This holiday season, Capital One reminds you to give yourself the gift of 1.5% cash back with the Capital One Quicksilver Card.

[B]

Can I earn 1.5% cash back on birds?

[A]

Birds? What if you sent your true love two turtle doves plus a partridge and a pear tree?

[B]

Sure, but why would anyone want that? The song was very convincing.

[A]

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[B]

What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See CapitalOne.com for details.

[A]

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[B]

Chief lead on.

[A]

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