Linda Elovitz Marshall is the author of the new children's picture book Talia and the Passover HUG-gadah. Her many other books include Talia and the Rude Vegetables. She lives in upstate New York.
Q: What inspired you to write Talia and the Passover HUG-gadah?
A: Talia and the Passover HUG-gadah is the fourth in a series of books featuring energetic, curious Talia. Talia doesn’t yet know much about Jewish holidays and is thrilled to help Grandma prepare for them.
In the first book, Talia and the Rude Vegetables (KarBen, 2011), Grandma asks Talia to go to the garden, please, and get root vegetables for use in a sweet Rosh Hashanah stew.
Talia mis-hears the word “root" as “rude” -and wonders how a vegetable can be rude (does it shove the other vegetables?). She soon learns the sweetness of the holiday…and the wishes for a sweet new year.
In Talia and the Very YUM! Kippur (KarBen, 2016), Talia thinks the holiday will be “YUM!” and learns the meaning of a “fast” day.
In Talia and the Haman-Tushies (KarBen, 2017), Talia learns about Purim as she helps Grandma bake Haman-taschen (which she hears as Haman-tushies and vows never, ever to eat one).
Talia needed a Passover book and, in characteristic Talia-style, she mis-hears the word “Haggadah” as HUG-gadah…and decides the holiday is all about hugs!
Q: What do you think Francesca Assirelli’s illustrations add to the book?
A: Francesca Assirelli’s illustrations, as always, add light and warmth and humor. Francesca’s wonderful illustrations explore the joys of being together and the warmth of the family traditions. She made a very sweet story even sweeter.
Q: How did you create your character Talia?
A: Fun question! The first Talia story began as a story featuring two grandparents, one of whom was hard-of-hearing. It was also one of the first stories for children that I’d ever written.
I was fortunate to be able to attend a special SCBWI conference for Jewish Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators…and I brought the “Rude Vegetables” manuscript.
At the conference, I met with one of the founders of KarBen, Judye Groner, and discussed the manuscript. Not one to mince words, Judye said she didn’t like it and explained why. I took notes, very good notes.
Back at home, I revised the manuscript, exchanging the grandfather for a child who was kind, curious, and eager to help. That child took the name of my then-newborn granddaughter. Talia!
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?
A: I hope readers will learn the story of Passover and understand the importance of freedom, as well as the importance of telling the Passover story year after year in a warm, family situation.
Passover is one of my favorite Jewish holidays (maybe my most favorite) because, to me, it’s all about family being together, celebrating freedom…and lots of hugs!
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m currently working on a nonfiction picture book about marine life. When this is done, I have several things (including another Talia book and a middle-grade project) that I’ll be working on.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I hope you’ll look for my forthcoming story about another spunky girl. Tentatively entitled Kylie and the Very, Very OLD (actually Prehistoric) Saber-Tooth Cat, it is a nonfiction account of 7-year-old Kylie and her discovery of a very important fossil. (South Dakota Historical Society Press, 2026).
And…look around. There’s always something interesting to uncover! We just never know where…or when…or what it will be.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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