MEDIA RELEASE For immediate release: April 2006 For more information, contact: Heidi Estrin Podcast Host, The Book of Life www.jewishbooks.blogspot.com (561) 241-8118 ext. 206 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
PODCASTING JEAN MARZOLLO, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF 100+ BOOKS Author Jean Marzollo has written everything from the popular I Spy books to the Shanna Show books (now a cartoon on Playhouse Disney), beginning science books, and even books for parents. One of her most recent ventures has been the retelling of stories from the Bible, accompanied by her own watercolor illustrations. The series includes Daniel in the Lions' Den, David and Goliath, Miriam and Her Brother Moses, Jonah and the Whale and the Worm, and Ruth and Naomi (all Little Brown). In a recent interview for The Book of Life, a podcast about Jewish books and music, Marzollo explained how she reaches out to the youngest readers. "I looked for concrete details I knew kids could understand. I put in a lot of dramatic play elements; in fact, my Bible stories are actually written almost like plays. I want children to be able to take different parts and act them out, and they really like to do that. "I have these little critters in a border at the bottom of the pages in all my Bible stories [who talk about what's happening in the pictures]. I invented them because I wanted discussion in these books, I want children to feel they can ask questions and make comments on the story. "Children have a craving to learn moral education. They want to know how to behave in this world and these stories are great for that. And these stories have unbelievable drama, excitement, and jeopardy in them -- so kids like that. They pay attention." Marzollo was invited to appear on The Book of Life's April 2006 show to talk about Miriam and Her Brother Moses in connection with the Jewish holiday of Passover, which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. The full interview may be heard on the podcast at www.jewishbooks.blogspot.com. Other Passover-related interviews on the April show include: musician Shira Kline on her new CD Shirlala Pesach; author Anna Olswanger on her Passover story Shlemiel Crooks; and Steve Brodsky of the band Mah Tovu on the enduring popularity of their hit single Pharoah Pharoah, a parody of Louie Louie. The Book of Life podcast is a service of the Feldman Library at Congregation B'nai Israel in Boca Raton, Florida. It is hosted by Heidi Estrin, B'nai Israel's librarian, who is president of the South Florida Association of Jewish Libraries and past chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award committee. Ha-Safran (The Librarian) Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
