What Shall We Name the Baby?

Leslie Kimmelman is the author of more than 50 popular books for children; many of them have Jewish themes. She was a longtime children’s book editor at various publishing houses, including more than 24 years at Sesame Workshop where she created Julia, the Muppet on the autism spectrum, for the book that first introduced her as a Sesame Street character. Leslie grew up outside Philadelphia and now makes her home in Ardsley, Westchester County, New York.Teresa Ramos comes from a family of artisans; her father was a woodworker, and her mother is a master quilter. Teresa has been drawing her whole life, and decided to pursue illustration and studied at the Art School Pau Gargallo in Badalona and at the Joso School in Barcelona. She currently lives in Girona, Spain.

"Leslie Kimmelman’s newest easy reader is a joy in every way. It has a relatable story; many children are a bit daunted by the idea of a new sibling and naming one is a significant part of family life. The illustrations by Teresa Ramos are bright, cheerful, amusing, and highly expressive showing both facial emotion and body language. The humor is engaging and accessible; the names suggested by the older children are hilarious. In the meantime, “Lumpy” is the perfect moniker for the as-yet-unborn sibling. As the family proceeds through the preparatory months, Jewish holidays are celebrated with joy. Family history plays a role during the search for appropriate baby names in both Hebrew and English. When the new baby finally arrives, big brother Robby and big sister Ella are ready to welcome her into their close-knit, warm, affectionate family. The special baby-naming ceremony is held on Shabbat with participation by all amidst an outpouring of love.An author’s note discusses some of the factors involved in choosing a baby’s name and appropriately reminds us all that the addition of a new family member is a big adjustment for everyone, especially for the siblings. This book is recommended for all libraries." —Association of Jewish Libraries