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WORK TITLE: The Passover Mouse
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WEBSITE: https://jnwieder.com/
CITY: Boston
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COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
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School Library Journal vol. 66 no. 1 Jan., 2020. Amy Lilien-Harper, “WIEDER, Joy Nelkin. The Passover Mouse.”. p. 63.
Children’s Bookwatch Feb., 2005. , “The Secret Tunnel.”.
Kirkus Reviews Feb. 1, 2020, , “Wieder, Joy Nelkin: THE PASSOVER MOUSE.”.
JOY NELKIN WIEDER is the author of over 30 books for children. She is also an illustrator, and her work has been exhibited in libraries and synagogues around the greater Boston area. She is a frequent school and library visitor and runs children’s writing sessions on historical fiction, oral history, and Jewish children’s books, highlighting Shabbat, family, and ancient Israel. Learn more about her work at jnwieder.com.
Since childhood, Joy dreamed of joining her two passions – art and books – by writing and illustrating books for children. Her dreams were fulfilled with the publication of her first book in 1999. She has now authored nearly 30 books for young readers. Click on books to read reviews or make a purchase.
Joy has written both beginning chapter books and picture books for young readers. Her whimsical illustrations are created in a variety of drawing and water based mediums as well as digital media. See Joy’s portfolio to view her artwork.
Joy has been a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators since 1993 (SCBWI and NESCBWI). She is also a member of an online debut group of picture book authors and illustrators called Perfect2020PBs.
Her artwork has been exhibited in public libraries and synagogues around the greater Boston area. She would love to visit your school or library to talk about writing and illustrating. See school visits for more information.
INTERVIEW WITH JOY NELKIN WIEDER
12 DECEMBER 2019
For my final post of 2019, and in honor of Jewish Book Month, I’m happy to bring you this interview with Perfect 2020 PBs member Joy Nelkin Wieder. Her picture book, The Passover Mouse, illustrated by Shahar Kober, releases from Doubleday (Random House) on January 28th, 2020.
Welcome, Joy!
Joy_head-shot_web
Tell us a bit about your story, The Passover Mouse.
The Passover Mouse is a rollicking, funny, and ultimately inspiring story that weaves together the themes of community, kindness, charity, and forgiveness. In this charming Passover story, a little mouse disrupts a town’s preparations for the holiday when it steals a piece of leavened bread–or chometz–just as all the houses have been swept clean in time for the holiday. On the morning before the start of Passover, all the villagers have swept their homes clean of leavened bread, in keeping with the traditions of the holiday. Suddenly, a small mouse steals a piece of bread and tears through the town, spoiling everyone’s hard work. But just when it seems as if the townsfolk will never be ready for their Seder, the little mouse’s actions unwittingly bring everyone together, to work as a group to save the holiday.
Sounds like a lot of fun! This is your very first picture book, and it will be out in a little over a month. What can you tell us about the journey to publication? How long have you been pursuing this dream?
I have been pursuing this dream most of my life, and I can’t believe it’s finally coming true! This particular book’s journey took 18 years from concept to publication. While I had several chapter books published previously, this is my first picture book and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
How did the idea for The Passover Mouse come to you?
I was inspired to write the story while I was doing research for another book in 2002 and came across an interesting passage in the Talmud, which is a collection of Jewish laws with commentaries by ancient rabbis. It won Best Picture Book Text at the Jewish Children’s Bookfest Writing Contest in 2004 and was considered for publication by two Jewish publishers and two mainstream publishers at that time. When they all turned it down, I was crushed. I put the files away in a plastic bin in the basement where it stayed for many years. It wasn’t until the story won another award for the SCBWI/PJ Library Jewish Stories in 2018 that it got traction and it will finally become a published book on 1/28/20!
Gasp! I guess your book’s time had finally come! How great that you didn’t give up on it completely! Describe for us that magic moment when you found out The Passover Mouse would be published at last?
I was doing an errand and pulled into a parking lot. I decided to check my phone and saw an email from PJ Library. When I read that my story won Honorable Mention, I burst into tears! I knew that this was the break I had been waiting for all those years, because having the stamp of approval from both PJ Library and SCBWI would finally open all the doors that had been closed previously. With award in hand, I sent my manuscript off to an agency and landed my wonderful agent Barbara Krasner at Olswanger Literary. Now, we could submit to publishers who only accept agented work and it was accepted by the fabulous Frances Gilbert, Editor-in-Chief at Doubleday Books for Young Readers. It couldn’t have been in better hands!
From what age did you consider yourself a writer? What spurred you to pursue this path professionally? What other fields do you work in (professionally or otherwise)?
I’ve always been creative and wanted to write and illustrate books since I was young, but I didn’t have the confidence to pursue it until I had my own children. I studied graphic design in college and had a flourishing freelance design business for many years. Now I design custom wedding invitations in my small business called Joyously Yours Custom Invitations. I’m also a freelance copy writer, and I write articles for the local newspaper, quarterly newsletters and monthly blog posts for my clients. Additionally, I teach creative writing in a before-school enrichment program at my local elementary school, which is a lot of fun.
In terms of your art, what are your preferred media and techniques?
I’m a watercolor painter, and I love to paint landscapes as well as children’s illustrations. I’ve taken several plein air workshops in beautiful locations such as Maine, Italy and France—including Monet’s Garden and Lake Como! Being outdoors and painting in watercolor is a pure pleasure for me, and it hones my skills as a watercolorist for my children’s book illustrations. I’ve recently started playing around with digital illustration on my iPad Pro and I’m working on a board book dummy in Procreate.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
Being a freelance artist, I don’t really have a typical day. But I often start the day with a water aerobics class at my health club. It’s great exercise, and I frequently work out story problems either as I exercise or on the way home. It’s a great way to clear your mind and be open to creative solutions! When I get home, I have to attend to whatever job has the most pressing deadline. If I don’t have an invitation to design or copy to write, I can work on my own stories and illustrations!
What feeds your creativity? Or helps you out of that “funk”?
I already mentioned exercising and painting outdoors as ways of refreshing my creative energies. I also love to take baths in my whirlpool tub—another place to work out story problems or get new inspirations. I attend closely to my nightly dreams, which is a way to tap into our intuition and unconscious selves. I keep a dream journal and meet with a dream circle every other week to discuss our dreams. I often get ideas for stories from my dreams!
That’s fascinating! What other advice would you have for fellow creatives?
Don’t give up on your dreams! While most creative people need to have a day job, it’s important to make time to pursue your creative interests and continue to “fill the well” so your creative energy doesn’t dry up. Journaling is one great way to do both—keep your dreams alive and keep the well full at the same time.
Now, back to your debut. You mentioned coming across an interesting passage in the Talmud that originally inspired The Passover Mouse. Can you give us the details?
While reading the tractate in the Talmud discussing all the laws and rituals of Passover, I came across a discussion by the rabbis about the possibility of a mouse bringing bread into a house that had already been searched for chometz, leavened food, which is prohibited during Passover. They wondered if the house would have to be searched again and came up with several scenarios – what if a mouse with a piece of bread went into a house, but a different mouse came out of the house carrying a piece of bread? Is the second mouse carrying the same piece of bread or a different piece? The rabbis went around and around the issue, but in the end, they never made a decision. I was in shock! How could the rabbis take so much time to discuss an issue and then leave the question unanswered? I knew I had to come up with an answer, and I immediately imagined this troublesome mouse running amok through a Jewish village just before Passover.
Ha! Love it. Flash forward to today, and your dream of publishing your first picture book is about to come true!
Yes, and I’m thrilled to report that The Passover Mouse received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, indicating a book of exceptional merit. The Kirkus Reviews star is one of the most prestigious designations in the publishing industry. Kirkus Reviews says: “A book that fits moving scenes, puzzles, and mice into the same story is an excellent addition to the Jewish tradition. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-7)” Read full book review here.
Congratulations! That’s wonderful news! What’s next? What do you still hope to accomplish in the future?
There are several projects in the works. The last time I went to New York City, I had the pleasure of meeting my editor at the Random House headquarters. She mentioned that she would love to have another book set in the same world as The Passover Mouse, so I’m working on a Purim story set in the same village with the same characters. My agent has submitted two picture book manuscripts and a board book manuscript to several publishers, so keep your fingers crossed for me!
We wish you plenty of future success, Joy! Are there any upcoming events where we can look forward to meeting you?
Yes, the Launch Party for The Passover Mouse will be held on Sunday, February 9 at the Concord Bookshop in Concord, MA. The first Sunday after publication, Feb. 2, is Super Bowl Sunday, and we couldn’t take the chance that the New England Patriots would be in the Super Bowl and then no one would show up to the launch! I will also be doing Story Time at Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, MA on March 29 and Barnes & Noble in Framingham, MA on April 5. I’m really looking forward to reading my book to kids!
Readers can also connect with me on the following social media sites:
My website: www.jnwieder.com
Perfect2020PBs: https://perfect2020pbs.weebly.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoyWieder
Facebook: fb.me/joynelkinwieder
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jnwieder/
Wonderful, Joy. Thanks for being with us today and sharing all your debut news!
CREATING A RELIGIOUS CHILDREN’S BOOK WITH JOY WIEDER
DECEMBER 3, 2019 BY BROOKEVS 5 COMMENTS
Writing religious children’s books is a very niche market, but one a lot of writers would like to break into. Our latest interviewee, Joy Wieder, has been writing within this market for a long time now, and she officially has her FIRST picture book debuting in 2020!
If you’ve ever wanted to find a home for your story in the religious market, check out this interview!
Writing Religious Children's Books with Joy Wieder
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking on one may result in a commission for me at no cost to you!
Full Interview with Joy Wieder on her Latest Picture Book:
1. Your new book, The Passover Mouse, debuts in January. Tell us a little bit about the book.
The Passover Mouse is a rollicking, funny, and ultimately inspiring story that weaves together the themes of community, kindness, charity, and forgiveness.
In this charming Passover story, a little mouse disrupts a town’s preparations for the holiday when it steals a piece of leavened bread–or chometz–just as all the houses have been swept clean in time for the holiday. On the morning before the start of Passover, all the villagers have swept their homes clean of leavened bread, in keeping with the traditions of the holiday. Suddenly, a small mouse steals a piece of bread and tears through the town, spoiling everyone’s hard work.
But just when it seems as if the townsfolk will never be ready for their Seder, the little mouse’s actions unwittingly bring everyone together, to work as a group to save the holiday.
How to Write a Children's Book Template | Template for Your Kids Book Idea
2. Where did your idea come from to write this story?
It is an original tale based on the Talmud, a collection of Jewish laws with commentaries by ancient rabbis. I stumbled across the passage of Talmud while doing research for another book I was writing set in ancient Jerusalem called The Secret Tunnel.
In the tractate discussing all the laws and rituals of Passover, I read a discussion by the rabbis about the possibility of a mouse bringing bread into a house that had already been searched for chometz. They wondered if the house would have to be searched again and came up with several scenarios – what if a mouse with a piece of bread went into a house, but a different mouse came out of the house carrying a piece of bread? Is the second mouse is carrying the same piece of bread or a different piece?
The rabbis went around and around the issue, but in the end, they never made a decision. I was in shock! How could the rabbis take so much time to discuss an issue and then leave the question unanswered? I knew I had to come up with an answer and finally solve the ancient conundrum.
3. Is this your first children’s book?
I’ve had several early chapter books and educational books published, but this is my first picture book ☺
4. Congratulations! What other kinds of books have you published?
I’ve published several Jewish books for children, including a book on Shabbat and two historical fiction chapter books – one about my family in Warsaw, Poland during WWI and one about an ancient tunnel in Jerusalem called Hezekiah’s Tunnel.
Get your copy of The Passover Mouse!
5. You’ve been in the children’s book realm for a while now. How have children’s books changed since you first started writing?
I’ve noticed that the word count for picture books has gotten shorter and shorter over time. When I pulled out my old manuscript for The Passover Mouse, I had to cut about 200 words to make it fit the current market.
I first wrote the story in 2002 and it won an award for unpublished Jewish stories in 2004, but it didn’t find a home at that time. It wasn’t until it won an honorable mention in the SCBWI/PJ Library Jewish Stories Award in 2018 that it got traction, and now it will be published in 2020 – that’s 18 years in the making!
6. For someone wanting to make a long career in children’s literature like you, what would you say would be your best advice for them?
Patience and persistence! It takes a thick skin to weather all the rejection and to continue writing and submitting – but keep at it! Sometimes it just takes time for the right story to find the right fit. I’d say that The Passover Mouse is a story whose time has come.
7. What’s your favorite part of writing for children?
Writing for children is my creative outlet. It allows me to tell my stories to an audience who is open to imagination, learning, and growing.
And for the Jewish stories, it allows me to continue a tradition that I learned from my parents and what they learned from their parents. It is a commandment in Judaism to “teach them diligently to your children” and I feel that I’m fulfilling that commandment through my books.
How to Write a Children's Book Template | Template for Your Kids Book Idea
8. What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your publishing journey?
It’s been difficult finding the right audience. Some of my stories have been too religious for mainstream publishers while some are not religious enough for Jewish publishers. I give credit to PJ Library for invigorating the Jewish children’s book market and creating a demand for quality Jewish children’s books that didn’t exist before.
9. Your writing tends to have a religious slant. What’s your best advice for someone hoping to write a religious children’s book?
Find a subject that hasn’t been covered before and present it in a way that is relevant and interesting for children. A friend commented to me that I have a way of bringing ancient texts to life for children.
10. And finally, what’s the best advice you’ve ever received that has helped with your writing?
There are so many pearls of wisdom, such as don’t talk down to children; don’t be didactic; the rule of three; or the child must solve his or her own problem. But as my editor said, the main thing that an author must do is be a good storyteller. It’s all about the story!
Author Spotlight: Joy Wieder
Feb. 7, 2020
Today we are excited to feature author Joy Wieder and her debut picture book, THE PASSOVER MOUSE, illustrated by
Shahar Kober (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, Jan. 2020). Enter to win a copy!
Tell us about yourself and how you came to write for children.
I’ve always wanted to write and illustrate children’s books since I was young, but I didn’t pursue it until I had my own children. Shortly after my first child was born in 1987, my mom got sick and passed away when my daughter was just six months old. I realized that life is short and if I don’t pursue my dreams, I may not get the chance to do it. I finally got up the courage to write down my stories and submit them for publication. It took ten years to get my first book published!
Congrats on your debut picture book, THE PASSOVER MOUSE. Tell us about it and what inspired you.
THE PASSOVER MOUSE is a rollicking, funny, and ultimately inspiring story about a little mouse that disrupts a town’s preparations for the holiday when it steals a piece of leavened bread–or chometz–just as all the houses have been swept clean in time for the holiday. The mouse tears through the town, spoiling everyone’s hard work. Just when it seems as if the townsfolk will never be ready for their Seder, the little mouse’s actions unwittingly bring everyone together, to work as a group to save the holiday.
It’s an original tale based on a question in the Talmud, a collection of Jewish laws with commentaries by ancient rabbis. I stumbled across the Talmudic question while doing research for another book I was writing. In the section of Talmud discussing all the laws and rituals of Passover, I read a discussion by the rabbis about the possibility of a mouse bringing bread into a house that had already been searched for chometz. They wondered if the house would have to be searched again and came up with several scenarios – what if a mouse with a piece of bread went into a house, but a different mouse came out of the house carrying a piece of bread? Is the second mouse carrying the same piece of bread or a different piece? The rabbis went around and around the issue, but in the end, they never made a decision. I was in shock! How could the rabbis take so much time to discuss an issue and then leave the question unanswered? I knew I had to come up with an answer and finally solve the ancient conundrum.
Was your road to publication long and winding, short and sweet, or something in between?
It was definitely a long and winding road! In fact, it took 18 years between concept and publication. I wrote the first draft back in 2002. Then it won Best Picture Book Text in a Jewish children’s book writing contest in 2004 and was considered for publication by two Jewish publishers and two mainstream publishers. When they all turned it down, I was crushed. I put the files away in a plastic bin in the basement where it stayed for many years. It wasn’t until the story won honorable mention for the SCBWI/PJ Library Jewish Stories in 2018 that it got interest from industry professionals, and it finally became a published book on Jan. 28, 2020!
What projects are you working on now?
I’m actually working on a sequel! My editor, Frances Gilbert, Editor-in-Chief at Doubleday Books for Young Readers, mentioned that she wanted to work on another book from THE PASSOVER MOUSE team and suggested a Hanukkah story. But I was inspired to write a Purim story, and I hope she loves it as much as the first book.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Don’t give up! I hope my road to publication can inspire others to hang in there. Sometimes you just have to have enough patience and persistence to find the right time and place for your story.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
Growing up in Kansas, I watched The Wizard of Oz every spring during tornado season. I do a great impression of the Wicked Witch of the West, and when my kids were young, I used to scare them with her cackle. “I’ll get you, my pretty!”
Where can people find you online?
I have a webpage for THE PASSOVER MOUSE with a book trailer, reviews, and fun activities for kids at WWW.THEPASSOVERMOUSE.COM
You can also find me at:
Website: WWW.JNWIEDER.COM
Twitter: HTTPS://TWITTER.COM/JOYWIEDER
Facebook: FB.ME/JOYNELKINWIEDER
Instagram: HTTPS://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/JNWIEDER/
Goodreads: HTTPS://WWW.GOODREADS.COM/AUTHOR/SHOW/4272106.JOY_NELKIN_WIEDER
Perfect2020PBs: HTTPS://PERFECT2020PBS.WEEBLY.COM
JOY NELKIN WIEDER is an author and illustrator of children’s books. Her debut picture book The Passover Mouse, illustrated by Shahar Kober, received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews as “an excellent addition to the Jewish tradition.” The Passover Mouse, published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers, also received honorable mention for the SCBWI/PJ Library Jewish Stories Award and was chosen as a PJ Library selection. Joy is the author/illustrator of several Jewish chapter books for children, including The Secret Tunnel and The Great Potato Plan which is based on her grandfather’s family in Warsaw, Poland during WWI. She has also written over two dozen leveled readers for the educational market. She and her husband live in Massachusetts and have three grown children. Learn more about her work at WWW.JNWIEDER.COM
WIEDER, Joy Nelkin. The Passover Mouse, illus. by Shahar Kober. 32p. Doubleday. Jan. 2020. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781984895516.
PreS-Gr 2--This clever story, inspired by a discussion in the Talmud, celebrates community and friendship. Lonely Rivka is busily cleaning her house of bread and preparing for Passover, when a mouse appears and grabs a piece of bread from the pile. Now there might be bread missed in her house! The mouse runs into another house, and soon there are two mice and a cat unaccounted for, and a lot of unhappy people who might need to re-clean their houses. After consulting with the rabbi, they prepare to re-clean, but it is so much work. The rabbi's son convinces the villagers to pitch in. Ultimately, instead of being alone, Rivka makes her Passover meal for a houseful of helpful guests, and everyone is happy. The clear text has a folkloric feel, seamlessly including facts about the holiday and a repetitive refrain that encourages participation. Tire message of kindness and generous giving, as the characters move from anger to friendship, is both ancient and relevant today. The art has a rustic, old-fashioned look, despite the cartoon characters. The town is full of small, wood buildings, and the largely brown-and-green coloring is slightly splotchy, as if done with wood block or paint on wood. The women are clothed in dresses and kerchiefs, and the mice and cat are mischievously appealing. The whole comes together beautifully, celebrating the Passover spirit in an appealing package. VERDICT A welcome addition to any library serving Jewish patrons.--Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Library, CT
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 8th Edition APA 6th Edition Chicago 17th Edition
Lilien-Harper, Amy. "WIEDER, Joy Nelkin. The Passover Mouse." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 1, Jan. 2020, p. 63. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A610418414/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=197e579e. Accessed 4 Mar. 2020.
The Secret Tunnel
Joy Nelkin Wieder
Hachai Publishing
156 Chester Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218
1929628110 $7.95 www.hachai.com
Yonatan is an 11-year-old boy who wants to help his family and his people when the wicked King of Ashur threatens to surround the sacred city of Yerusalayim. Many other cities had already fallen to King Sancheriv, but the Prophet Yishayahu has told the people to trust in Hashem, but the powerful enemy could drive the city to surrender by simply blocking off the water supply of the Jews. Authored and illustrated by Joy Nelkin Wieder, The Secret Tunnel impressively employs historical details of daily life and the threat of conquest by siege with language and imagery which will hold the rapt attention of young readers ages 7 to 10. Also very highly recommended is Joy Wieder's previous historical adventure for young readers from Hachai Publishing, The Great Potato Plan.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2005 Midwest Book Review
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/index.htm
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 8th Edition APA 6th Edition Chicago 17th Edition
"The Secret Tunnel." Children's Bookwatch, Feb. 2005. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A128784782/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=2a8582eb. Accessed 4 Mar. 2020.
Wieder, Joy Nelkin THE PASSOVER MOUSE Doubleday (Children's Fiction) $17.99 1, 28 ISBN: 978-1-9848-9551-6
This animal story may help explain why Jews became known as the People of the Book: Even the holiest books might include jokes or fables or riddles.
This picture book, arguably, includes all three. It's a very silly story about a very serious problem. Wieder explains that, when they're preparing for the holiday of Passover, observant Jews are required "to remove all leavened food, or chometz--down to the last bread crumb!" Fastidious Jews are never certain when it's safe to stop searching. The Babylonian Talmud addressed the issue with a sort of brainteaser, paraphrased in the author's note at the end of this book: "The Jewish sages discussed the possibility of mice bringing chometz into a house that had already been searched for it." Kober takes the passage as an opportunity to paint utterly adorable mice with heads shaped like apostrophes. (He also finds a surprising variety of shades in the skin tones of the human Jewish villagers.) And the author not only works in a chase scene, with townspeople and a cat, but somehow makes a quote from the Talmud seem like a punchline. The endless arguments about cats and mice concludes with: "…This question is not decided." But the story ends on a touching note, as the whole village joins together in a last-minute search for breadcrumbs.
A book that fits moving scenes, puzzles, and mice into the same story is an excellent addition to the Jewish tradition. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-7)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 8th Edition APA 6th Edition Chicago 17th Edition
"Wieder, Joy Nelkin: THE PASSOVER MOUSE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2020. Gale General OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A612618943/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=51469213. Accessed 4 Mar. 2020.