Today I have a special post – three authors with newly released PJ Publishing board books about the Jewish holiday, Purim, are stopping by the blog to chat about the inspiration for their books, and to share about stories, creativity, and connection.
PJ Library sends free high-quality Jewish children’s books to families every month. To learn more, visit www.PJLibrary.com.
The featured authors and Purim board books are:
Nancy Churnin’s PURIM BASKETS, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford
Barbara Kimmel’s PURIM POSSIBILITIES, illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich
And Varda Livney’s TODAY I AM A HAMANTASCH: A POEM FOR PURIM
Welcome, Nancy, Barbara, and Varda!
1. STORIES – Discuss the inspiration for your ideas and stories, and share the process about your latest projects.
Nancy Churnin: I am always drawn to stories of kindness. I am looking for light I can capture in words and share to give others light, hope, and inspiration to add to the light. PURIM BASKETS, which releaased on February 1 from PJ Publishing, is a short and simple board book about shalach manot – the gift baskets we give on Purim – with a gentle twist. These gift baskets are for a cat, a dog, a horse, a bird, a fish. I’m hoping that this little book will encourage kids to remember their pets and animals in shelters with gifts and love.
Barbara Kimmel: I was in a store one day when I noticed a girl wearing a frilly tutu and colorful rain boots (even though it was a bright, sunny day). I loved how confidently she was expressing herself. It made me think about how children don’t fit neatly into labels like shy, bold, quiet, or outgoing. They can be many things at once. That’s what Purim Possibilities is about: embracing the many parts of yourself.
I was over the moon when PJ suggested including reusable stickers so kids could mix and match costumes. It was a perfect extension of my story’s themes of creativity and self-expression. (I have to say that I’m a little obsessed with the stickers and can’t stop playing dress-up with them!)
Varda Livney:
Inspiration comes from everywhere. Sitting with friends in conversation, I often find myself commenting, “THAT would make a great children’s book!” The actual solid ideas, though, generally come when I am B.I.C.- Butt In Chair. I have to actually sit and doodle, think, and look through my idea books. And it comes. Or it doesn’t, and I try again the next day.
Here are 2 sketches that were the inspiration for TODAY I AM A HAMANTASCH.
2. CREATIVITY — How do you showcase your creative side through writing/illustrating and other pursuits?
Nancy Churnin: One of the joys of writing is going into a “zone” where I am a conduit, allowing a story to flow through me and writing down where it goes. Is that me being creative or is that me tuning into something larger than myself? In any case, I find happiness and purpose in putting things into the world that weren’t there before – things that may help in some way to repair the world.
Barbara Kimmel: My creativity shines through in the type of books I write. I enjoy creating interactive books for toddlers because play is how they learn best. I’m always exploring ways to make reading physical and engaging — through movement, flaps, stickers, or other formats.
I also show my creativity through playwriting. I write plays based on my personal experience, usually humorous takes on women trying to find their voices and be heard.
Varda Livney: My creative side was always my natural side; I was the girl who drew all over my bedroom wall, and fortunately, my parents were supportive. Making it my profession – well, what could be more amazing than doing what you love? But, in all honesty, creating something “just for fun” without the pressure, rejections, and deadlines sounds nice too.
3. CONNECTION — How do you connect to your young readers through your writing/illustrating, and how do you stay connected to the KidLit community?
Nancy Churnin: I love visiting schools and sharing books and my book journey with kids. My books come with teacher guides and projects. It is a special thrill for me when kids do the projects, and their parents or teachers send me pictures of the great things they do. I also love receiving and responding to letters that teachers and parents send from their kids.
I am very grateful to be part of a generous and caring kidlit community. I stay connected through SCBWI and 12X12, as a member of the Jewish Kidlit Mavens, and an occasional teacher with The Writing Barn. I have benefited greatly from my membership in the Making Room for Rhyme community, which has led to two rhyming board books (including PURIM BASKETS with a rhyming picture book coming in 2027. I am also a founding member of the Nonfiction Ninjas which has given me the opportunity to give back to the community through our annual free NFFest. NFFest features posts about the craft of nonfiction from amazing kidlit nonfiction writers on nffest.com in February.
Barbara Kimmel: The best part of writing for children is seeing them fully engaged and enjoying a story. Last December, I led 17 storytime events for my board book Hanukkah Hippity-Hop. Watching little ones march like Maccabees and spin like dreidels was pure joy. Moments like that remind me why I write interactive, playful books for the youngest readers.
The KidLit community has been wonderful. I’m especially touched by everyone’s generosity since I started writing for children later in life. I’ve found support through writing groups, marketing networks, and social media, and I continue to learn from fellow authors and illustrators. Having a warm, encouraging community makes the ups and downs of this business far easier and far more fun.
Varda Livney: I write in English, and live in Israel, so school visits aren’t really an option (and I’m shy, anyway). I am connected with the kidlit community through the amazing Israel SCBWI, a Jewish board book group, a critique group, Tara Lazar’s Storystorm, and other assorted online groups.
Connect with Nancy Churnin:
Nancy Churnin is an award-winning author of more than 20 children’ books who writes about people (and animals!) who have made the world a better place and inspire children to be heroes, too. Among her honors: National Jewish Book Award, Sydney Taylor Honor, Sydney Taylor Notables, South Asia Book Award, Sakura Medal finalist, Books for a Global Society Notable, Junior Library Guild selections, A Mighty Girl lists, multiple Social Studies Notable Trade Books for Young People, Kids Choice Awards Finalists, Silver Eureka Awards, Bank Street College Best Children’s Books, Grinspoon Jewish Story Award and starred reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly. Nancy is a former journalist and theater critic living in North Texas. You’ll find resources, teacher guides and projects for her books on nancychurnin.com
Website: nancychurnin.com
Facebook: Nancy Churnin Children’s Books
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/nchurnin
Connect with Barbara Kimmel:
Barbara Kimmel is a children’s book author and playwright. She writes playful, interactive books for the youngest readers. Her debut, Hanukkah Hippity-Hop from Kar-Ben Publishing, was named a Best Jewish Holiday Children’s Book of 2024 by the Association of Jewish Libraries. Her next book, Purim Possibilities from PJ Publishing, was selected for the AJL’s Spring 2026 Holiday Highlights list. Barbara’s short stories appear in Highlights and High Five magazines. Learn more at www.barbarakimmelwrites.com
Website: barbarakimmelwrites.com
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/barbarakimmelwrites
Facebook: Barbara Kimmel Writes
Connect with Varda Livney:
Varda Livney lives on a kibbutz with her family and 1,000 other assorted people, dogs, cats, cows and olive trees. She works in a little shed, smack in-between the baseball field and the cowbarn, which ensures that she gets to hear the crack of the bat and smell the cows while she tries to figure out how to bring world peace through drawing cats and bunnies.
Varda designed textiles, packaging, gifts and over 400 greeting cards for Recycled Paper Greetings, before pivoting into writing and illustrating kidlit. She is honored that Today I Am a Hamantasch is her 7th PJ Library
https://www.facebook.com/vardaart/
https://www.instagram.com/vardaart/