Q&A with Laura Gehl

 

 

Laura Gehl is the author of the new children's picture book Robot Shabbat. Her many other books include One Big Pair of Underwear. She lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Robot Shabbat?

 

A: My four kids are all teenagers and young adults now, but when they were younger, they were always raiding the recycling bin to build fantastical creations. One year, we even had a recycling party, where lots of friends and neighbors brought over their own recycling to add to ours. Those memories, combined with my second son’s passion for building robots, inspired this story.

 

I dedicated Robot Shabbat to my robot-loving son. But I should add that in the years since I wrote this book, my daughter has developed a passion for robotics as well. This fall, she joined her high school robotics team!

 

Q: What do you think Dave Williams’ illustrations add to the story?

 

A: I think Dave’s illustrations give the story a delightful, Jetsons-style vibe. Details in the art, such as the dad arriving home in a flying car, really add an extra layer of enjoyment for the reader.

Q: School Library Journal called the book a “fun sci-fi take on the tradition of Shabbat, sure to have youngsters joining in with the sound effects.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I love that description! I hope the sound effects in the book add to the read-aloud fun.

 

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

 

A: If kids come away from this book wanting to build their own robot, or other creation, from stuff around the house, great! If kids come away from this book wanting to “power down” for Shabbat and spend time with friends and family, that’s great too. I also hope this book can give a window into Shabbat traditions for readers of any religion who don’t typically celebrate Shabbat.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m working on a few different projects, including a picture book inspired by an adult nature class I took this fall. But my next picture book, out in spring 2025, is called Orson and the World’s Loudest Library. It’s a story about how libraries not only help people find books…they also help people who love books find one another.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I’m working with the same editor and publisher of Robot Shabbat on another Jewish picture book called My Body Can. That book celebrates all the different things our bodies can do over the course of a year, with nods to each of the Jewish holidays along the way. Alexandra Colombo is currently working on the illustrations, and I’m excited to see them soon.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Laura Gehl.