Notes from the Levy Library

Commemorating the Shoah 

– column updated 4/17/26

Michael Rosen – a major award and a Holocaust poem

UK children’s poet Michael Rosen, 80, has just won the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing, given every two years by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). The announcement was made at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair on 4/14/26. Considered the world’s most important international award for children’s books, it is given to an author celebrated in their home country for their body of work, and is often called “the little Nobel.” If his name sounds familiar, it may be because you or your children grew up with his books, such as We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, another children’s literature great).

But Michael Rosen is also important as a Jewish writer. He has written movingly about his family history, which he has been investigating, in his book of linked poems, On the Move: Home Is Where You Find It and his recent memoir, The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II. Both are appropriate for readers in about fifth grade and up…and adults, of course.

You may remember that during our Holocaust Remembrance Day program last year I read a Michael Rosen poem, “Counting.” This year (see below for program details) Marie Altchech will read another of his poems, “Never Again.” His poems about the Shoah are profound yet accessible – the mark of a great writer. Here is Michael Rosen reading “Never Again”: https://vimeo.com/387437691

In June I will be at the IBBY Congress in Ottawa – I’m on a panel – so I will have the great pleasure of seeing Michael Rosen and Chinese artist Cai Gao (winner for Illustration) receive their Andersen medals.

Upcoming Programs to Attend

I urge you to attend two Temple programs that the library is involved with: the Holocaust Remembrance Day Program on April 19 at 10:30 a.m. and the Library Fundraiser Tea on April 26 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. In each case you can call Melissa at 310-475-7000 to sign up.

As always, Marie Altchech has poured her heart and soul into creating a profoundly meaningful Holocaust Remembrance Day event for the community. This year Cantor Nicholas Dean Hylander has designed the musical portion, complete with his beautiful tenor and fellow musicians on violin, piano, and flute. And we are honored to have 103-year-old survivor Joe Alexander share his story with us. Where does the library come in? I helped choose the readings and will have the featured books – as well as many others — available for you to borrow during the lunch that follows the program. The readings are an entrée to different survivor narratives – read these remarkable books to get the whole story. While the event is free, we need to know how many are coming for the lunch.

And of course I want you to attend the Library Fundraiser Tea! Sue Mizrahi has generously sponsored this event to support the library’s collection and programs. There will be a delicious repast – sandwiches, sweets, and tea – catered by La Gondola. Many of you have never been in the library – here’s your chance! We’ll have door prizes and literary surprises! What does that mean? You’ll find out at the tea. Tickets – only $25 – are going fast, so don’t delay, since space is limited.

Latest Recommendations from the Second Sunday Book Club

Nine of us met on April 5 for a shorter-than-usual session – closer to one hour than two – to accommodate busy book club members! Here are some of the books we read…. First, there is Under an Afghan Sky, Canadian journalist Mellissa Fung’s harrowing memoir of being kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan. We looked backwards in time via a collection of John Steinbeck’s essays, America and Americans, and forwards to a contemporary novel, Hunting in America. Finally, one of my favorite new children’s books: Daniel Nayeri’s The Teacher of Nomad Land, a beautifully written World War II story set in Iran – it won the National Book Award for Youth Literature and a Newbery Honor!

Our next meeting is Sunday, May 17, at 1:00 – the THIRD Sunday – because we always skip Mother’s Day. Email me for the Zoom link if you’d like to join us to talk about your reading.

Shabbat Shalom, and happy reading!

Your Librarian, Annette

Do visit our online catalog https://stti-hl.mimas.opalsinfo.net/bin/home#0. You can also get there via the Temple web site https://sephardictemple.org/ — click on the “Learning” tab and choose “Temple Library.” Get to know your Levy Library – there’s lots to discover!