Q&A with Dara Henry

 

 

 

Dara Henry is the author of the new children's board book Mazel Tov, Baby!. She also has written the children's picture book Hanukkah Pajamakkahs. Also an educator, she lives in Southern California. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write Mazel Tov, Baby!?

 

A: Storytime with my children has always been one of my favorite daily routines, even now as my kids are getting older. When they were really young, our favorite stories involved books that we could interact with together.

 

At one point a few years ago I was sifting through old photos. It got me thinking back to those moments, years ago and became my inspiration and shaped my goal when writing Mazel Tov, Baby!

 

I hoped to create a book that would help facilitate shared play and connection between young readers and caregivers.

 

Q: What do you think Varda Livney’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: Varda is such a talented artist. Her illustrations are bright and engaging and bring a whole new layer of magic to Mazel Tov, Baby!

 

Varda has such a recognizable style and did a fantastic job capturing the warmth and joy that I had imagined when writing this book. I know families will love her illustrations as much as I do.

 

Q: Your previous book, Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, is for slightly older kids--do you have a preference in terms of the age group you write for?

 

A: I don’t really have a set preference for age groups. Sometimes a story lives in your heart and simply needs to come out. With Mazel Tov, Baby!, I felt the inspiration to write something to celebrate the milestones for the youngest readers. It just felt right at the time.

 

Q: What do you hope families take away from the book?

 

A: I hope Mazel Tov, Baby! inspires meaningful, interactive storytime moments for readers of every age. I also want it to be more than a book, something young readers can play with, interact with, and experience together.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m working on something special right now, something with a lot of heart. I can’t say too much, but it’s rooted in self-discovery, community, and acceptance. I can’t wait to share more details soon.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I really appreciate the opportunity to connect with you and your community. Being an author has been a dream come true and I hope that I am able to continue sharing my stories for years to come.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Dara Henry.