Sharing Shalom

by Danielle Sharkan, Selina Alko (Illustrator)

Overview

A girl’s community joins hands to fight intolerance in this richly illustrated picture book that sings with hope for young readers.

Leila loves going to Hebrew school and hearing stories of mighty kings and quick-witted queens. Being Jewish is a part of her story, and learning Hebrew connects her to her ancestors. L’dor V’dor! From one generation to the next!

But when Leila’s synagogue gets vandalized, she isn’t sure what she wants. Something that used to make her feel special now just makes her feel different.

Then Leila’s classmates and community come together to repair the synagogue. This compassionate gesture makes Leila realize that everyone around her is different—and that’s a beautiful thing.

Lyrical text and gorgeous, textured collage art by award-winning illustrator Selina Alko enhance this uplifting story about honoring a diverse community. Back matter provides a springboard for age-appropriate conversations about inclusion and bridge-building between cultures. Perfect for fans of All Are Welcome and The Proudest Blue.

A Sydney Taylor Notable Book
National Jewish Book Award - Tracy and Larry Brown Family Award Winner
An NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823455560
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	09/17/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.80(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Danielle Sharkan is a former teacher with a background in history, politics, and languages. She has degrees in Political Science and Jewish Studies as well as Middle Eastern Studies and Secondary Education, and taught ESL for ten years. Having grown up in the Chicago suburbs, she now lives with her family in Boulder, Colorado. You can find her on Twitter at @DaniraeShark.

Selina Alko is an award-winning author-illustrator of many books for young readers, including I Is for Immigrants, B Is for Brooklyn, Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama, and The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage. Selina graduated from the School of Visual Arts and lives in Brooklyn. Find her on Instagram @selinaalko.

Editorial Reviews

Although hate takes forms that can’t be as easily addressed as a broken window, this is nevertheless a lovingly crafted, age-appropriate doorway into a difficult topic. . . An especially important book for the current moment that will empower children to stand up in the face of bigotry.
—Kirkus Review

In this timely picture book, antisemitism is gently, and sensitively introduced to young children. . . This book is highly recommended for public, school, and synagogue libraries as well as family bookshelves.
—Association of Jewish Libraries

The creators address an act of antisemitism with candor and sensitivity, reassuring readers that one can belong to multiple communities without hiding one’s beliefs or identity.
—Publishers Weekly

Ren­dered with sen­si­tiv­i­ty and col­or­ful, dra­mat­ic images, this is a cau­tion­ary tale about anti­semitism, and a hope­ful one about com­mu­ni­ty support.
—Jewish Book Council

2024-12-28
A young girl heals as her community comes together following an antisemitic incident.

Attending Hebrew school helps Leila feel connected to her family and heritage, but after the synagogue’s window is broken, being Jewish suddenly doesn’t feel good or safe. Wondering if her classmates hate her for being different, she tries to hide signs of her Judaism, from her Star of David necklace to the bagel with lox she brings to school for lunch. But when Leila’s diverse classmates help repair the window, she’s reminded that she still belongs and that being Jewish is something to be proud of. Hebrew letters and prayers and Jewish symbols are beautifully woven into both the text and the collage-style illustrations, reinforcing the tale's unique Jewishness alongside its universal message about the importance of allyship. With sensitivity and candor, Sharkan demonstrates how pride in one’s identity can lead to shame and fear in the wake of a hate crime. In an author’s note, she mentions that her story was based on a real-life childhood experience and speaks to the rise in antisemitic incidents around the world; books like these will help young people process complex emotions. Although hate takes forms that can’t be as easily addressed as a broken window, this is nevertheless a lovingly crafted, age-appropriate doorway into a difficult topic. Leila and her family are light-skinned, while their neighborhood is diverse.

An especially important book for the current moment that will empower children to stand up in the face of bigotry. (glossary, bibliography)(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews