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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823455560
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	09/17/2024
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	574,797
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.75(h) x (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.

• Fans of All Are Welcome and The Proudest Blue and other books celebrating cultural differences
• Jewish families looking for age-appropriate ways to talk about anti-Semitism
• Teachers and librarians in diverse communities and/or communities that have experienced anti-Semitic events
• Kids in Hebrew school

Editorial Reviews

"A crucial story for our time. Sharing Shalom is the perfect introduction to the topics of discrimination, othering, and religious-targeted hate. A compelling look at the tendency to hide what makes us different, and a celebration of the people who make it safe to be who we are." —Elisa Boxer, Sydney Taylor Honor author of Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives During the Holocaust

From the Publisher