Rinat Primo is the author of the new children's picture book On One Foot. Her other books include Dandelion Snow. She lives in Israel.
Q: What inspired you to write On One Foot, and how did you create your characters Lily and Hillel?
A: On One Foot was inspired by a well-known Talmudic story about a non-Jewish man who came to Shammai and asked to be taught the entire Torah while standing on one foot - in other words, to learn all there is to know in a very short time. Shammai, a great sage known for his strictness, sent him away.
The man then approached Hillel the Elder with the same request. Hillel replied: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. All the rest is commentary - now go and study.”
In Hebrew, the expression “on one foot” is similar to saying “in a nutshell.”
I loved the idea of connecting this timeless wisdom with children’s natural love of physical challenges, like trying to balance on one foot. The names Hillel, Lili, and Tehila are also a tribute to Hillel the Elder.
Q: What do you think Yael Albert’s illustrations add to the story?
A: The visual team behind the book consists of Yael Albert, a wonderful illustrator, and Michal Magen, a remarkable graphic designer. Together, they brought the world and the children described in the text to life. Yael Albert created expressive, lovable characters that feel warm and charming without being kitschy.
One especially interesting artistic choice was using yellow as the background color throughout the book. At first, we experimented with green backgrounds, which may have suited the natural setting more, but they gave the illustrations the feel of a fancy European kindergarten. That didn’t feel authentic to Israel, which is a warm country where yellow tones dominate much of the year.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book, and how did you first get interested in writing for children?
A: I think writing for children is, for me - and probably for many children’s authors - a way of exploring my own childhood. Sometimes it’s even a way of revisiting and repairing parts of it. Each of my books approaches that exploration from a different angle.
My memory of what it feels like to be a child is still vivid and deeply present. I understand the way children think. Adults, on the other hand, are much harder for me to understand. We just have so much baggage!
More than anything, my motivation is to give young readers the sense that they are not alone in their thoughts and feelings.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I recently wrote a story called Oh, Jonathan!, a picture book for kindergarten-aged children with very little text. It tells the story of a boy whose behavior is misunderstood by the people around him. Right now, together with Green Bean Publishing, I'm working on submitting it to PJ Library. Wish us luck!
I’m also working on another book for young teens about twins - a boy and a girl - and the complexities of sibling relationships, especially the unique bond between twins. The book is expected to be published in Hebrew in early 2027.
Thank you, Deborah, and good luck with your new book!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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