StoryMakers with Jane Zalben
Today on StoryMakers, Rocco Staino interviews the children’s literature author and illustrator Jane Breskin Zalben! Jane is the author of over forty books that encourage creativity and artistic development. Young artists will love diving into Jane’s books full of creative illustrations and inspiring ideas!
Rocco and Jane talk about her latest children’s books, and if your reader is looking to explore a colorful tour of contemporary art then Mousterpiece is for them. Follow Jansen the mouse living in an art museum, as she discovers new art each day that sparks her creative side! Jane’s book Happy New Year, Beni captures the idea of starting the New Year off right and the joy of the holidays. Jane then discusses one of her books in her trilogy about peace, Path to Peace. In Path to Peace, Jane illustrates sixteen individuals who are considered peacemakers in this world.
Jane’s novel Four Seasons for middle grade and young adults, follows Allegra Katz, a pianist prodigy who begins studying at Julliard School in New York! However Allegra begins to question herself. Do I even love piano? Why do I play? How much longer can I stand this pressure?
Join us on a quest to:
- Find out how and when Jane fell in love with contemporary art.
- See how Jane starts her picture books!
- Discover one of many food recipes create by Jane!
- Check out one of Jane’s newest middle grade and YA novels!
We’re giving away a Bundle of Four Books by Jane Zalben! You can win Mousterpiece, Happy New Year, Beni, Paths to Peace, and Four Seasons! The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM on November 11, 2016. ENTER NOW!
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ABOUT THE BOOKS
Mousterpiece
Written and illustrated by Jane Zalben
Published by Roaring Brook Press
Jansen the mouse discovers the art of such greats as Picasso, Matisse, and Warhol, the bright, bold colors and shapes capture her imagination and spark her creativity. Join Jansen on a colorful tour of contemporary art in this new work from an acclaimed author and illustrator.
Happy New Year, Beni
Written and Illustrated by Jane Zalben
Published Roaring Brook Press
Beni and Sara are going to Grandma and Grandpa’s for the holidays. Everyone will be there– including cousin Max. But Max almost spoils the holiday for everyone– It’s only when Grandpa takes explains the traditions that Max is willing to start the new year off right.
Paths to Peace
Written and Illustrated by Jane Zalben
Published by Dutton Children’s Books
Mahatma Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Cesar Chavez, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the most recent Nobel Prize winner, Dr.Wangari Maathai, are some of the people Jane chose to represent different eras and parts of the globe.
Four Season
Written by Jane Zalben
Published Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Allegra Katz has been playing piano since she was four. But these aren’t just any piano lessons. She studies at the Julliard School in New York, where careers are being formed—or not.
ABOUT JANE ZALBEN
Jane Breskin Zalben’s acclaimed picture books and novels explore basic issues of friendship, family, self-reliance, and inner strength. It’s obvious that Jane Breskin Zalben is passionate about her work — so much so that she dates the events in her life by what book she was working on at the time. However, she believes that her family is even more important; Beni’s First Chanukah, the first in a series of Jewish Holiday books for children, was inspired by and dedicated to her sons, Alexander and Jonathan. The special times she has shared with her family motivated her to create over forty books.
CONNECT WITH JANE ZALBEN
Facebook | Twitter | Website
CONNECT WITH KidLit TV
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Love this!
Jane Zalben rocks!
Love Jane Breskin Zalben’s books, her versatility, and her respect for children’s intelligence.
These are great books!
I do enjoy contemporary art and got to experience a bit while volunteering as an “art smart” speaker for my daughter’s school.
I love visiting art museums with my family and enjoy all kinds of art including contemporary.
I enjoyed learning more about Jane Breskin Zalben’s books!
Thank you for sharing this today! :)
You are so welcome! Thank you for watching!