Jewish preschools have a high turnover rate. How did you meet the demanding challenges of this important position and remain dedicated for decades?
My commitment to Jewish education began with my own children when I was determined to create a Jewish home environment where we observed Shabbat and the holidays. Over 30 years ago as a young wife and stay at home mom, I won the Hamentashen bake-off at Temple Akiba in Culver City. My own children, who had helped with the baking, were delighted and enthusiastic about this accomplishment. I recognized that this experience was a foundational Jewish memory for them, and I made it my professional mission to create similar memories with the children in my classroom. That recipe became a part of my Purim holiday curriculum. It was shared with colleagues and families.
Can you offer three tips for individuals who are interested in becoming a children’s book author?
Tip 1
For picture book authors, an active voice rather than a passive narrative makes the story far more interesting and engaging. It is not enough to say, “Michael and Lily liked playing together.” Expand on this and describe activities on a playground that could be related to other parts of your story, such as: “Michael and Lily did everything together. They dug in the sandbox together, they painted at the art easel together, and they sat next to each other at snack time. Best of all they liked climbing to the top of the jungle gym where Michael would shout, “Lily, let’s fly to the moon.”
Tip 2
An author needs to provide details to satisfy the curiosity of a young child. For example, simply saying, “Lily didn’t like to go to sleep,” isn’t enough? Children want to know why. Expand on why the character likes to do or not do something. The addition of dialogue makes the character come alive. Is she afraid of the dark? Does she miss someone or something so much that she can’t go to sleep? Does she have nightmares? Make the character relatable by expressing emotions that a child might also have. For example: “I don’t like the dark because it’s spooky!”
Tip 3
Keep the names consistent. Michael as Mikey in one part of the story and Mike in another is confusing for young children. And, when describing a situation to children, make sure you use words that are familiar to them. For example, when Michael and Lily go to school, they put their backpacks in a cubby, not a cupboard, closet, or locker. (From SANDRA BORNSTEIN Writer, Educator, Traveler – Entitled “Q & A with Sylvia Rouss & The Hanukkah Fable of Little Dreidel and Silver Menorah” click here to read the complete interview)
