Linda Marshall Children's book author
WRITER OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND OTHER COOL STUFF
Talia and the Passover HUG-gadah
Illustrated by Francesca Assirelli
Publisher: KarBen/Lerner, 2026
ISBN-13: 979-8765663509
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Synopsis:
WOW A whole holiday about HUGS As Talia places books called Haggadahs on the Passover table, she can't wait for the hugging to begin. While waiting, Talia learns about the Jewish people's escape from slavery in Egypt, the Ten Plagues, the Four Questions, and the Passover meal. But where are all the hugs? After all, it's called the "HUG-gadah," isn't it?
From Kirkus Review:
"Though Talia may be confused, the audience is unlikely to be, thanks to Marshall's playful text, rife with delightful dramatic irony. . . A joyful and humorous Passover celebration."
From Publishers Weekly:
". . .Talia's creative ears transform a Passover-related word into something entirely different in this amiable picture book from Elovitz Marshall. .
Talia and the Haman-tushies
Illustrated by Francesca Assirelli
Publisher: KarBen/Lerner, 2017
ISBN-10: 1512408255
ISBN-13: 978-1512408256
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Synopsis:
It's almost Purim, and Talia's sure that Grandma said they're going to bake "haman-TUSHIES." Eww! But as Talia helps Grandma with the recipe and learns the story of Purim—from the bravery of Queen Esther to the schemes of wicked Haman—she discovers a lot about these holiday cookies that she didn't know. The third in Marshall's play-on-words Talia stories including Talia and the Rude Vegetables and Talia and the Very YUM Kippur.
I’ve always loved making hamantaschen. It’s such a great group project. My mother used peanut butter and chocolate kisses for fillings…Mmmm…delicious!! So, for Purim, I wanted to write a book about Talia that included Hamantaschen and turned things wrong side up — so I came up with Haman-TUSHIES!
~Linda
Talia and the YUM! Kippor
Illustrated by Francesca Assirelli
Publisher: KarBen/Lerner, 2015
ISBN-10: 1467752401
ISBN-13: 978-1467752404
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Synopsis:
Talia of Talia and the Rude Vegetables fame is back with another pun-driven story of misheard words and malapropisms. When grandma talks about preparing for breaking the Yom Kippur fast, Talia instead hears the words as 'breakfast' and 'Yum' Kippur, setting a funny series of events into motion with her misunderstanding.
Note: Book includes a recipe for Talia's very YUM kugel! Try it. You'll like it!
From Publishers Weekly:
"the pun-driven jokes keep the mood upbeat”
“a fine introduction to an important Jewish holiday, as well as a reminder that intangible things like forgiveness can be as delicious as the best kugel"
From Kirkus Review:
“Marshall adeptly exploits the nuance of language and its use in context to introduce the significance of the holiday's atonement through prayer and fast in a simple way for young children. The long, slow—the opposite of fast!—day alone with Grandma gives Talia the opportunity to think about her own shortcomings and to apologize. The folk-style illustrations in deep tones evoke this sweet and endearing little girl's day with her loving elder.”
“Both a loving family story and a deft introduction to the significance of the holiday.”
Interview Read an interview on The Whole Megillah
One year, just after Rosh Hashanah, I made a little joke..."What if YUM! Kippur came next?" Talia (and there is a real Talia) giggled at my joke. That gave me the idea that there might be a book in there…And, even more importantly, that I had the opportunity to explain Yom Kippur in a way that's understandable and, even more importantly, that I had the opportunity to explain Yom Kippur, a holy day of introspection and atonement.
~Linda
Talia and the Rude Vegetables
Illustrated by Francesca Assirelli
Publisher: KarBen/Lerner, 2011
ISBN10: 076135218X
ISBN13: 978-0761352181
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Synopsis:
“How can a vegetable be ‘rude’?” Talia wonders, when she mis-hears her grandmother asking her to gather “root” vegetables for a Rosh Hashanah stew. As Talia digs in the garden, she collects the twisted, ornery carrots and parsnips – the “rude” vegetables that she thinks her grandmother wants -- and finds a good home for the rest.
“A delectable tale reminding us of the power of an act of kindness to compensate for a misunderstanding.”
— Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of
“When Bad Things Happen to Good People.”
From Kirkus Review:
A little girl’s misunderstanding, the harvesting of some root vegetables and a recipe for stew merge for an amusing Jewish New Year story.
From Publishers Weekly:
This laugh-out-loud title keeps the little jokes coming….
This lovely New Year’s book can be read and enjoyed year-round.
As I was writing this, I thought of my own garden and all the carrots we TRIED to grow. We had much better luck with Brussels sprouts!
~Linda