Light from My Menorah

Robin Heald lives in Ashland, Oregon. Before her 30-year career as a drama teacher and preschool director Robin was a stage manager in regional theaters, and on and off-Broadway. Her previous works include Pat, Roll, Pull and Liberty Saves the Day, and her articles have appeared in Exceptional Parenting Magazine and Children’s Literature in Education. Robin’s picture book Isadora’s Sandálias won the Katherine Paterson Prize for unpublished children’s literature at Hunger Mountain in 2015. Her most recent picture book is Whistling for Angela. Robin holds a Master’s of Fine Arts in Writing for Children from Spalding University.Andrea Blinick is an artist and an art educator with a passion for children’s literature. After graduating from the Ontario College of Art and Design with an illustration diploma, she went on to receive a Bachelor of Design through OCAD in conjunction with Thompson Rivers University and then pursued a Bachelor of Education at York University. Her first picture book, Outside, You Notice, earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. Most recently she has published Sun in My Tummy and Serge the Snail Without a Shell. Andrea lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters, who often inspire the storytelling behind her art. She enjoys music, writing, comedy, travel, and making a mess on her art table.

Praise for The Light from My Menorah2025 School Library Journal “10 Nonfiction Titles Showcasing Holidays Around the World” Feature The Children’s Book Council “Hot Off the Press: September 2024” Feature “Emphasizing hope, beauty, and unity, this quietly powerful story demonstrates that people honor traditions in unique ways, while all are recognizing comfort and love as symbolized by light.”—School Library Journal “Glowing light swirls around the planet, connecting a wide variety of holiday celebrations in this warm, cozy, lyrical picture book....It’s an artful, evocative representation of an element that connects many fall and winter holidays across the globe.”—Booklist “A glowing ribbon winds through the pages, providing a lovely visualization of the metaphorical light that different traditions all bring to the world....A shining paean to winter traditions around the globe.”—Kirkus Reviews   “Hanukkah, Diwali, Christmas, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, and Loy Krathong...are portrayed broadly in the work. A glimmering stream appears throughout Blinick’s layered digital artwork.”—Publishers Weekly“The Light from my Menorah is a bright and fascinating way for children to learn about the role light plays in various holiday traditions.”—YA Books Central “This book is a lovely meditation on various holidays from around the world that sparkle with light and warmth. A gentle introduction to the special days of other religions, emphasizing what they all have in common.”—All Done Monkey