Robert Sabuda – winner of Sydney Taylor Book Award visits Practically Paradise

The Sydney Taylor Book Awards were announced at the mid-winter meeting of the School, Synagogue and Community Center Division of the Association

of Jewish Libraries.  The Sydney Taylor Book Award honors new books for children and teens that exemplify the highest literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience. The award memorializes Sydney Taylor, author of the classic All- of-a-Kind Family series. The winners will receive their awards at the Association of Jewish Libraries convention in Pasadena, California this June.

Candlewick Press, 2011. Ages: 4-8 (and up!) ISBN: 978-0763655334 Publisher’s description:

From a pop-up master and an acclaimed poet and author comes a glorious celebration of the true spirit of Chanukah.  Inspired by Michael J. Rosen’s reverent poem, Robert Sabuda’s striking pop-ups depict each night’s menorah in a different scene, using imagery such as desert tents, pushcart lanterns, olive trees, and a final panorama of skyscrapers. Sure to be a treasured family heirloom, this stunning collaboration showcases the spirit and resilience of a people in search of home.

In the press release Barbara Bietz, Chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee, said: “From the shtetl to skyscrapers, the white pop-up scenes against a background of deep rainbow colors illuminate Jewish life for the eight nights of Chanukah. Together, children and adults will marvel at the stunning scenes that magically unfold with each turn of the page.”

More information about the Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour can be found at  The People of the Books blog (the Association of Jewish Libraries blog).  Today, Michael Rosen is being interviewed by Liz Burns. In the interview with Michael Rosen, the comment is made that “in no uncertain terms Robert told me that he was not designing a pop-up of a family standing around candles, or opening presents.”

Diane:  Tell us what messages you did want to send families as they shared this book.  Historically you researched “place” for Chanukah Lights, what’s the backstory in your selection of scenes?

RS:   I’ve always loved history, so any book that uses history to excite, explore or educate makes me happy!  Hopefully the readers of Chanukah Lights, both young and grown-up will agree.  The selection of scenes was a fluid, thoughtful process that took place over a period of months with the author Michael J. Rosen.  I’ve known Michael for a long time and we are very attuned to each other’s creative processes.  He would suggest some “places” to explore and then I would expand on them.  I remember him mentioning Jews in search of new homes crossing the ocean and immediately realized that a “place” could be the ship carrying them.

Diane: Pop-ups are not the only technique you’ve used to illustrate. In 2007, I wrote about your illustrative techniques of stained glass in your version of Arthur and the Sword; however, you have been called the Prince of Pop-Up’s and the master of all Paper Engineers. Could you explain to readers how your design team works together to create the visual experience of your pop-ups?