Dara Henry is the author of the new children's picture book Hanukkah Pajamakkahs. Also an educator, she lives in Southern California.
Q: What inspired you to write Hanukkah Pajamakkahs?
A: My three children were a huge inspiration for my debut picture book, Hanukkah Pajamakkahs. They love their holiday pajamas, and like the main character, Ruthie, they’re magnets for mess.
One mid-January morning, when my children refused to change out of their Hanukkah pajamas, it dawned on me just how special holiday pajamas were to my kids.
That’s when a title popped into my head: “Hanukkah Pajamakkahs.” I quickly checked online to see if the title had been used—and to my surprise, it had not. I jotted some notes and got to work writing the story.
Q: How did you create your character Ruthie and her family?
A: In many ways Ruthie’s positivity and optimism comes straight from watching my kids handle sticky situations. Once I created Ruthie’s character, it became important to me that her family show patience, support, and love (even though she made quite a mess).
I wanted Ruthie and her family to be relatable to readers, Jewish or not. I hoped that if readers connected with Ruthie’s passion for pajamas, they’d also learn a little about Hanukkah and reflect on their own holiday experiences.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?
A: When I wrote Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, I hoped to capture the magic and warmth of Hanukkah through the eyes of a child. While the storyline of Hanukkah Pajamakkahs is built around Hanukkah, there are other themes and messages within the book for readers of any age or religion.
As a parent of three children and as a former elementary school teacher, I’ve seen first hand how messy kids (and life) can sometimes get. I wanted readers to see that even though things don’t go according to plan, Ruthie remains positive.
In this same way, I wanted to convey that readers can enjoy life, be resilient, and continue on, even amid all the mess.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m always working on something. I have a few new and exciting projects in the works that I can’t wait to share with readers (some are further along in development than others). Hopefully I’ll be able to disclose more details soon.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’m thrilled to share that I have a new book coming out September 16, 2025, with Sourcebooks Kids, illustrated by Varda Livney, called Mazel Tov, Baby!. It’s a playful and interactive book about celebrating life, milestones, and every step along the way.
When I wrote Mazel Tov, Baby! a main goal was to create a joyful and lively experience for little ones and caregivers. Back when my kids were younger, I especially looked forward to reading books that were action-oriented and provided a hands-on experience.
That being said, if you’re looking for an engaging book with lift the flaps, perfect for little hands, and fun for the whole family, this book is for you. It makes the perfect baby shower gift or birthday gift for even the youngest reader.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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