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| Sussman with granddaughter Dalia |
Joni Kibort Sussman is the author of the new children's board book Laila Tov, Grover!. It's the latest in a series she wrote with Sesame Street. Sussman retired as the publisher of Kar-Ben Publishing.
Q: What inspired you to write Laila Tov, Grover!?
A: This little book is the fifth and final one of a board book series I wrote with Sesame Street. The other four are Shabbat Shalom, Grover!, Happy Purim, Grover!, Shanah Tovah, Grover!, and Grover’s Hanukkah Party.
While there are several Jewish-themed bedtime board books in the market, including Kar-Ben’s Good Night Shma, I liked the idea of Grover - a character so familiar to little ones - having a bedtime ritual that included the Hebrew words “laila tov.” I hope that some families will incorporate those words into their own bedtime ritual.
Q: What do you think Tom Leigh’s illustrations add to the story?
A: Tom Leigh is an experienced illustrator of Sesame Street characters and I’ve enjoyed working with him on all of Kar-Ben’s Sesame Street titles. He does such a great job of bringing Grover and friends to life with wonderful facial expressions and gestures.
As you might imagine, Sesame Workshop is very particular about the portrayal of their characters and they, too, love Tom’s work.
Q: How did the Sesame Street characters come to appear in Jewish-themed children's books?
A: We published our first Jewish-themed Sesame Street book back in 2012, when Sesame Street had begun bringing diverse stories and characters to their TV shows.
They launched their Shalom Sesame English language television series in the late ‘80s, after the popular Hebrew Rehov Sumsum show, and we all thought it was time for the debut of some Jewish-themed books featuring Shalom Sesame characters. The original idea for these books was actually hatched at an international book show in Israel.
Q: As the former publisher of Kar-Ben, what do you see looking ahead when it comes to Jewish kids’ books, especially at a time of increased antisemitism?
A: Like many publishers and educators, I see children’s books as serving as both mirrors and windows - mirrors for Jewish kiddos to reflect themselves and their families, and windows for non-Jewish kids to get glimpses into Jewish life. It’s a way of saying, “See! We are the same in many ways and different in others. Let’s learn about one another.”
I believe that much antisemitism, especially when it comes to Israel, is based on ignorance, not just malice, and that children’s books can help dispel some of that ignorance.
I’m happy to see Hanukkah and Passover books in libraries and in retail stores, and wish there were more positive picture books about Israel. Unfortunately, those are a tough sell these days.
Most important though, I want Jewish kids to be proud of being Jewish and to revel in the joys of being Jewish. I’m confident Kar-Ben will continue to seek such stories out and I thank Lerner Publishing Group for being such great advocates for Jewish children’s books.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: It’s hard to believe I’ve already been retired for a year. I’ve worked on a few special projects, and am enjoying spending more time traveling and with my grandchildren.
My parents were Holocaust survivors and I do a lot of public speaking, telling their stories. I’m also active in our local JCR and with Books For Africa. I’m a past president of both these excellent organizations.
I still follow PW, SLJ, the Association of Jewish Libraries, the Jewish Book Council, and many Jewish book blogs - an impossible habit to break. 😊
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I think the future is bright for Jewish children’s books, and I send best wishes to all my friends and colleagues in the children’s book world. I think I had the best job in the world and I miss you all.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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