Lesléa Newman – författare

This poignant and humorous collection of stories offers a fresh perspective on current issues of homosexuality and anti-Semitism and lends a voice to those experiencing growing pains and self-discovery. Newman's quirky Jewish characters go through all kinds of experiences, from an initial lesbian sexual encounter to being sequestered in a college apartment after paranoid Holocaust flashbacks. Her characters anxiously discover their lesbian identities while beginning to understand, and finally to embrace, their Jewish heritage. The title story, ""A Letter to Harvey Milk,"" was the second-place finalist in the Raymond Carver Short Story Competition.

Discover the joy and meaning of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.Lior and his parents, aunties, uncles, grandparents and cousins are inviting you to celebrate with them! Join in as they make latkes, light the Menorah, recite the Hanukkah blessings, play the dreidel game and share presents.Along the way, you’ll learn how Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration marked by the daily lighting of a new candle on the Menorah. It brings the Jewish community together by commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks.This bright and engaging picture book covers: The Miracle of HanukkahThe delicious food eaten, such as latkes, noodle kugel, Shabbat and sufganiyotThe fun to be had playing the dreidel gameHow the Menorah is lit every night using the ShamashThe community celebrations at the Synagogueand more!…and this glowing gift book is further brought to life with: Instructions to make an edible MenorahA guide to make a Hanukkah tzedakah boxA recipe for delicious latkes and apple sauceIn this immersive exploration of Hanukkah, young readers join a practising family as they commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah. Seen through the eyes of young children celebrating themselves, this is a simple and exciting way to introduce little ones to this important Jewish occasion.Part of the Celebrations & Festivals series, you are invited into a family's celebrations as you explore the magic and excitement of religious and cultural festivals around the world.

Selena is a young girl who would rather twirl than walk, prance than dance. So one day her mother takes her to Miss Tutu's dance class, where Selena learns how to dance. At first, Selena has trouble performing some of the intricate moves, but she keeps practicing. After some time, the big day comes for Selena to make her stage debut. Will she let stage fright get in the way? Or will she dance and bow in front of the audience? As is typical of her work, Carey adds little stories in the art that are very funny.

In this charming and humorous story, Miriam discovers—with the help of her family and a little matzah bread—the true meaning and importance of Passover. Miriam loves spending time with her family during Passover, and all week long she is happy to eat lots of matzah. But when she wakes up on the last day of the holiday, she is sick of matzah and refuses to eat it ever again. Then Grandpa makes his special matzah brei for the whole family, and Miriam learns there’s more to Passover than just the matzah. Award-winning illustrator David Slonim brings to life this story by celebrated author Lesléa Newman. The book includes a recipe for matzah brei, a brief summary of the Passover holiday, and a glossary of terms. Praise for A Sweet Passover“Deliciously traditional.”–Kirkus Reviews Awards Sydney Taylor Book Award - Notable book, Younger Readers Category, 2013

New in the UK, a rediscovered modern classic for today's generation in an updated, beautifully illustrated edition.All but unavailable since 2009, this delightful, important modern classic is back by public demand – revitalised in an updated, beautifully illustrated new edition for young readers. Celebrated author Lesléa Newman and bestselling illustrator Laura Cornell tell the story of a little girl called Heather. Heather’s favourite number is two – she has two arms, two legs, two pets and two lovely mummies. But when Heather goes to school for the first time, someone asks her about her daddy ... and Heather doesn't have a daddy! But then the class all draw portraits of their families, and not one single drawing is the same. Heather and her classmates realize – it doesn’t matter who makes up a family, the most important thing is that all the people in it love one another very much.

Count on cats as a fun way to learn numbers – in rhyming spreads with expressive appeal for animal lovers of all ages.Cat Number One has nothing to do...Until she makes friends with Cat Number Two.Meet cats from one to a dozen in this adorable board book introduction to counting with a feline twist. Author Lesléa Newman draws on her love for (and familiarity with) cats in a concept book for the very young, while illustrator Isabella Kung captures the animals’ movements and gestures in a way that is sure to delight.

A beguiling array of felines from A to Z makes learning the alphabet the cat’s pajamas.Adorable cat with eyes of gold.Baby cat just two weeks old.From curious to elegant, grouchy to inquisitive, rowdy to tangled to ... well, unusual (who says cats don’t swim in the tub?), these twenty-six charming felines interact with oversize alphabet letters on rhyming spreads. Author Lesléa Newman and illustrator Isabella Kung offer a cat’s-eye concept book that makes the ABCs go down easy – and is sure to inspire many a repeat viewing.

Here is the world, ever changing and new,Spinning with joy at the wonder of you!Here Is the World is a joyous celebration of the Jewish holidays throughout the year for young children. Beginning with the weekly observance of Shabbat, readers join a family through the holidays and the corresponding seasons. From sounding the shofar on Rosh Hashanah to lighting the menorah for Chanukah to rattling a grogger for Purim, and on through the Jewish year, the joy and significance of each holiday beautifully come to life.In addition to the narrative text, there is a description of each holiday in the back matter along with an easy craft or recipe.Praise for Here is the World "Both lovely and eminently useful." --Kirkus Reviews "Illustrating the change of seasons, Gal’s charcoal and digital collage images effervesce with cheery colors, moving from the radiant gold, yellows, and reds of autumn to the greens and blues of spring—with a stop in snowy winter for Chanukah, of course." --Publishers Weekly

Gittel and her mother were supposed to immigrate to America together, but when her mother is stopped by the health inspector, Gittel must make the journey alone. Her mother writes her cousin’s address in New York on a piece of paper. However, when Gittel arrives at Ellis Island, she discovers the ink has run and the address is illegible! How will she find her family? Both a heart-wrenching and heartwarming story, Gittel’s Journey offers a fresh perspective on the immigration journey to Ellis Island. The book includes an author’s note explaining how Gittel’s story is based on the journey to America taken by Lesléa Newman’s grandmother and family friend.

This joyful picture book highlights the best lesson a father can teach his son: how to show love and kindness.For fathers and sons everywhere, Like Father, Like Son is a warm and inviting picture book from a New York Times bestselling and award-winning team that celebrates what makes dads special.From author Lesléa Newman, known for her groundbreaking children’s book Heather Has Two Mommies, and New York Times bestselling illustrator AG Ford comes a sweet ode to all the amazing things that daddies can do—from knitting to cooking, from bike rides to camping trips, from telling stories to bandaging scraped knees.Share special moments with dad on Father's Day or any day with this tender picture book.My daddy teaches me each day,To be strong in a gentle way.And every single day I’m gladThat I’m his son and he’s my dad.

One of Bank Street amp rsquo s 2 2 Best Children amp rsquo s Books of the YearEthan. Ethan. Ethan. Sarah misses her adored big brother with all her heart. She wants to celebrate all the fun times she and her parents spent with him. But ever since Ethan died, Mommy and Daddy won amp rsquo t mention him. Sarah can amp rsquo t even say his name without upsetting them. Why don amp rsquo t they want to remember Ethan?Ethan is gone, but he won amp rsquo t be forgotten as his sister rallies her family to never forget. Includes a note with recommendations of what to say and how to help children after the death of a loved one.Lesl amp eacute a Newman offers a tender tribute to a lost family member in this touching story that can help families start to heal.

Whether it's fear of the dark or worry about the day ahead that is interfering with a good night's sleep, How to Sleep Tight through the Night offers creative solutions for soothing children's bedtime anxieties and developing healthy sleep habits. This collection of 30 kid-friendly tricks and techniques by sleep and dreaming expert Tzivia Gover and award-winning children’s book author Lesléa Newman is complemented by the dreamy illustrations of Vivian Mineker. From playing an alphabet game to slipping a wish under a pillow, the book is filled with practical, engaging prompts that are accessible to all and easy to implement, using creative visualization, mindfulness techniques, and playful, fun strategies for easing bedtime struggles and welcoming sound, restful sleep.

From the beloved pathbreaking author of Heather Has Two Mommies, comes a vibrant ode to family and communityWhat a happy day!Zachary’s baby sister will have her naming ceremony. In the temple! With his moms, the congregation, and all their friends!He’s so excited he can barely contain it. On the walk from their home, they meet neighbor after neighbor who want to know the baby’s name.But — not yet! — his mothers tell him. The tradition is to have a great reveal at the ceremony. So they invite each neighbor to come along. A colorful, diverse parade blooms along the route, until… At last it’s time, and Zachary gets to reveal his sister’s name…What is it?A truly JOYFUL moment for everyone!BEST OF THE YEARSchool Library Journal • Publishers Weekly • The Horn Book • Boston Globe • New York Public Library • Chicago Public Library • Kirkus • Cooperative Children's Book Council P R A I S ESydney Taylor Honor Winner ★ “Radiant artwork has soft pencil and crayon textures and tissue-paper-like layers of bright colors, capturing the coziness of Zachary’s home, their neighborhood’s tropical setting, and the sacred space where a loving, variously inclusive community has gathered to welcome their newest member.” —Publishers Weekly (starred)★ “Words and art brim with warmth; the love and support in this diverse community are palpable… A soaring ode to community, tradition, and family.” —Kirkus (starred) “This charming tale captures the joy and excitement of welcoming a new addition to the family, while also highlighting the warmth of community and Jewish tradition. The colorful illustrations add depth and richness to the story, depicting the dynamic diversity of the neighborhood and the love that surrounds the family. A loving tale that beautifully celebrates of family, faith, and the bonds that unite us.” —Booklist “Featuring beautiful, vibrant illustrations, this charming story offers insights into a Jewish tradition and the importance of community.”—Jewish Books for Kids“Enchanting… Vibrant art exudes warmth and love and the joy of new beginnings.” —SF Datebook“Newman, acclaimed author of Heather Has Two Mommies and more than 80 other books, has here crafted a story both lyrical and delightful, while Gal's lush watercolor illustrations befit the vibrant community.” —Bay Windows

All This Fuss Over a Cookie?! Every month Ms. Madeleine creates a special cookie of the month for her bakery. And her best customer, a little girl named Cookie, is always the first to try it. Ms. Madeleine’s sweet treats never disappoint.When June arrives, Cookie and her two moms stop in and taste the best cookie yet: a heart-shaped, rainbow-striped, crunchy, frosted confection that Ms. Madeleine baked especially for Pride.But Rainbow Cookies make some people in the neighborhood angry. They write harsh notes. They cancel orders. Ms. Madeleine is afraid her Rainbow Cookie might be her last.But Cookie is not about to let that happen. With great determination and a fabulous idea, she gathers friends and neighbors to support Ms. Madeleine. Together they show the whole town how colorful and fun and celebratory and delicious the combination of love, Pride, and cookies can be!