At Tundra Books, we want you to get to know and love our creators as much as you know and love their books. Our creator spotlight series will introduce you to the people behind some of your favorite titles . . . this week, say hello to Robin Rosenthal!
About the Author:
ROBIN ROSENTHAL is an author, illustrator and art director. She has illustrated Two Dogs on A Trike and the Big Ideas for Little Philosophers and Big Ideas for Little Environmentalists series of board books. SWEET BABE! is her authorial debut. She grew up in Connecticut and now lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her sweet, sweet family. You can see more of her work at robinrosenthal.com.
Fast Five with Robin Rosenthal:
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I’ve lived in New York City for about 28 years and there is no place I would rather be. There is so much energy here and so much to see and do. I love that New York accepts all kinds of people and that you can be creative and weird and different and that is celebrated. I love looking out my own apartment window at the other buildings and thinking about how a different person lives in each one of those apartments, with a different life, different goals, dreams, loves, fears, histories. We are all living together and coexisting in this relatively small area and making it work.
What’s one thing that can instantly make your day better?
So many things . . . a quality hug from my husband or daughter, a breakthrough on a project I’m working on, or a long catch-up with a friend.
Which meal is your favorite: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Definitely breakfast. I love anything egg related: eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs with cheese, eggs over-easy, bacon gruyere egg bites from Starbucks. My mom used to make me scrambled eggs with cream cheese and buttered cinnamon-sugar toast when I was home sick as a kid. Delish. Cracker Barrel hack in case you didn’t know: they serve breakfast all day but you have to ask for the breakfast menu when it is lunch or dinner time.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Indigo Girls back in the 1990s. They have also been my top choice for sing-at-the-top-of-my-lungs-in-the-car music since high school.
What’s your favorite Yiddish word?
My favorite Yiddish word is b’shert. It is pronounced “buh-SHARE-t” and it means “meant to be.” It’s often used in a romantic context but our family uses it in a more general way. It’s a nice way to mark a positive, serendipitous moment when the world seems right and good. You look at your family member and say, “b’shert,” and they say “b’shert,” back and you both nod your heads knowingly.
Books by Robin Rosenthal:
Sweet Babe!
By Robin Rosenthal
32 Pages | Ages 2-5 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774884324 | Tundra Books
Look at this baby . . . what a genius! And such a shayne punim, too! From the top of baby’s adorable head to the tips of their toes, there’s nothing for a grandma not to adore in her little bubbeleh. Sweet Babe takes babies and their bubbies, not to mention grandparents of every stripe, on a delightful read-aloud journey that practically cries out for frequent cheek-squishing and keppie (head)-kissing in this irresistible celebration of the connection between grandparent and grandchild, and of Jewish joy through the generations. Includes a Yiddish glossary at the back with transliterated vocabulary.
Big Ideas for Little Environmentalists: Conservation with Jane Goodall
Written by Maureen McQuerry
Illustrated by Robin Rosenthal
20 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book
ISBN 9780593323601 | G.P. Putnam’s Sons BFYR
Even little children can make a positive impact on the environment. Jane Goodall has dedicated her life to studying chimpanzees, and realized that sometimes people hurt the places where animals have always lived. She began to teach others how we can enjoy nature while also making sure that the homes of animals aren’t suffering. Kids will come away from this book with questions about what animal habitats they can care for in their own community, and how conservation work makes sure all people and animals have a healthy home.
Big Ideas for Little Environmentalists: Ecosystems with Rachel Carson
Written by Maureen McQuerry
Illustrated by Robin Rosenthal
20 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book
ISBN 9780593323649 | G.P. Putnam’s Sons BFYR
Even little children can make a positive impact on the environment. Rachel Carson was an environmentalist who studied the way the land, plants, and animals interact with each other, beginning when she was a child. She noticed that everything is connected, and all of nature must stay healthy for living things to thrive. When she realized that the chemicals people used outdoors were making plants, animals, and even other people sick, she began teaching others about the ecosystems, and how we must take care of them to keep the Earth balanced. Kids will see, through Rachel’s curiosity and passion for all creatures, that even seemingly small choices can have big consequences on the world around them.
Big Ideas for Little Philosophers: Kindness with Confucius
Written by Duane Armitage and Maureen McQuerry
Illustrated by Robin Rosenthal
22 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book
ISBN 9780593322956 | G.P. Putnam’s Sons BFYR
Even little children have big questions about life. Confucius believed always treating people with kindness can make us wise, and Kindness with Confucius brings his philosophy to the youngest thinkers. He believed we should use our own feelings as a guide to how to treat others. We feel good when people are kind to us and should want to make others feel that way. Emphasizing the importance of being in touch with your own emotions in order to be kind to others, this book will lead to inspiring conversations about human dynamics between people of all ages.
Big Ideas for Little Philosophers: Love with Plato
Written by Duane Armitage and Maureen McQuerry
Illustrated by Robin Rosenthal
22 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book
ISBN 9780593322994 | G.P. Putnam’s Sons BFYR
Even little children have big questions about life. Plato believed showing and receiving love makes us wise, and Love with Plato brings his philosophy to the youngest thinkers. Asking young readers what being loved feels like to them and how they can show others love prompts questions about how we treat one another and ourselves. This book will lead to inspiring conversations about loving people for what is on the inside, and helping others do the same.
