Photo by Mabel Lewis
Alison Goldberg is the author of the new children's picture book Eighteen Flowers for Grandma: A Gift of Chai. Her other books include I Love You for Miles and Miles. She is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Q: You've noted that your own grandmother, Eva Dersofi, inspired Eighteen Flowers for Grandma--can you say more about that?
A: I’ve always been inspired by her lifelong commitment to learning, and I wrote this story about a girl whose grandmother is graduating from college with Eva in mind. Her example—and what I hope this story conveys—is that it’s possible to pursue our dreams at any age.
Q: How would you describe the dynamic between your character Sadie and her grandma?
A: Sadie and Grandma have a close granddaughter-grandmother relationship. In addition, each week they make art together, side-by-side, and learn from each other. Grandma provides many art materials and shares her creative process. She tells Sadie, “May our lives be filled with art and our art be filled with life.”
Sadie feels free to experiment in her own artmaking, and Grandma admires how she tries new things. As a result of their creative exchange, Sadie finds a way to make a unique graduation gift that reminds her of Grandma.
Q: What do you think Jesse White’s illustrations add to the story?
A: I love Jesse’s illustrations! They show Sadie’s emotional journey in her artistic process and the warmth of her relationship with Grandma. The art materials are rendered with detail and personality, inviting exploration. Throughout the book, Jesse’s illustrations are full of wonder.
And the Jewish papercut-inspired elements add another layer to the book’s images, as this is a form of artwork used for festive occasions.
Q: The book’s title focuses on the number 18, which signifies life in the Jewish tradition--how was this title chosen?
A: From the start, I knew I wanted to focus this story on a gift of chai, a symbolic gift of life that is represented by the number 18. This Jewish cultural tradition sends the recipient a wish for good things to come.
It’s something my own family does to celebrate milestones like graduations, and I thought that highlighting this tradition would be a way to honor a lifelong commitment to learning in the story.
The title, Eighteen Flowers for Grandma, describes the creative way that Sadie interprets this tradition.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: My next picture book will be released later this year from Barefoot Books. In The Remembering Candle, illustrated by Selina Alko, a child lights a yahrzeit candle on the anniversary of his grandfather’s death, in the Jewish tradition of remembrance, and discovers how old memories can bring new blessings.
I wrote this story because yahrzeit is another Jewish cultural tradition that I’ve connected with personally, and one that can be meaningful for families who have experienced loss. Selina’s illustrations are beautiful and moving. I'm looking forward to sharing this book soon.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: You can visit me online at www.alisongoldberg.com.
Thank you, Deborah!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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