Category: Jewish

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So honored to be interviewed by the one and only E Train Talks (especially on the five year anniversary)! We do a deep dive into the series, my background, as well as the upcoming TENTH book, SERIOUSLY, CELIA? What a fun chat. You can watch the video HERE.

Celebrating 5 years of E Train Talks with Terri Libenson!  

I’m so excited to welcome New York Times bestselling author, illustrator, and award-winning cartoonist Terri Libenson to E Train Talks!  Terri is the creator of the hugely popular EMMIE & FRIENDS middle-grade series, which blends words, illustrations, and Terri’s unique graphic-novel storytelling, while exploring friendship, anxiety, bullying, and the ups and downs of middle school.  

Terri’s creative journey started long before EMMIE & FRIENDS! We also talk about her work with American Greetings, including L’Chaim, a line of humorous Jewish greeting cards, and her award-winning syndicated comic strip, THE PAJAMA DIARIES.  

And, most of all, in our Q&A, Terri takes us on a deep dive into her New York Times bestselling EMMIE & FRIENDS series, sharing stories behind many of the books and characters, her creative process, how she brings those characters to life, and the real middle-school experiences woven throughout her stories.  

And, of course, we talk about her newest book, SERIOUSLY, CELIA?, the 10th book in the EMMIE & FRIENDS series!

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Always love chatting with Zibby Owens on her prolific podcast, and this time I had the pleasure of joining funny and talented Alan Silberberg (double the fun). We discussed THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, the awesome recent middle grade Hanukkah anthology we were honored to be a part of.

You can find the episode on Apple Podcasts (as well as on Spotify and Acast!) here.

You can order THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS here.

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Well, here’s something different: Fifteen notable authors and I have a new anthology out now, THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: 16 HANNUKKAH STORIES. It’s for young and old, and it’s fantastic!

My story is a cheeky illustrated fantasy fiction about a miraculous, empathetic tree and the girl who cares deeply for it. I hope you’ll check out all the great stories. You definitely do not have to be Jewish to enjoy the book!

You can order here or through your local bookstore. Get it in time for the holidays!

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I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Barbara Bietz of the truly wonderful website/blog, Jewish Books for Kids. As a Jewish author, this was a meaningful one for me. As you may or may not know, Leah, one of the main characters in ALWAYS ANTHONY, is Jewish and sometimes discusses her family traditions. There is also an important lesson in the book focusing on “teshuvah” (Hebrew for “repentance” and “return”), which is central to the story’s theme of bullying and forgiveness. The interview doesn’t just focus on Leah’s background — it discusses so much more. I hope you enjoy!

Click here for the interview.