The Backstory: Hanukkah Pajamakkahs

One of the things I love best on The Backstory is celebrating debut authors and that is just what we get to do today! Dara Henry is here to share about her debut picture book, HANUKKAH PAJAMAKKAHS (Sourcebooks) with illustrations by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov. Keep reading to learn how this story came to be and for your chance to win a signed copy of your own.

AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind Hanukkah Pajamakkahs.

First off, please tell us a little bit about your story. 

DH: In my debut picture book, Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, Ruthie, the main character, receives pajamakkahs for a Hanukkah gift. She loves them so much she refuses to take them off―for all eight nights. Pretty soon, her special pajamas start to get dirty. As they get smeared and stained, splattered and smudged, Ruthie doesn’t let the mess stand in her way of enjoying the holiday. She is determined to show her parents she can stay spotless and remains positive even when things don’t go according to plan. Hanukkah Pajamakkahs celebrates holiday traditions, the patience of parenting, sibling relationships, and children's fondness for pajamas. 

AH: There is so much to connect with in this book! I love that the patience of parenting is listed as one of them, because all I could do while reading this book was picture my own children and the antics their various preferences have led to. There is something for everyone in this book and kids and families are going to love it!

AH: What’s the story behind the story? What was your inspiration? Where did the idea come from? 

DH: The idea for Hanukkah Pajamakkahs came to me one morning, as my children wore their Hanukkah pajamas in mid January, and I (unsuccessfully) encouraged them to get dressed. That’s when a title popped into my head: “HANUKKAH PAJAMAKKAHS.” I quickly checked online to see if the title had been used—and to my surprise, it had not. I jotted some notes down and got to work. My three children were a huge inspiration for this story. Ruthie’s positivity and optimism comes straight from watching my kids handle sticky situations. Additionally, like Ruthie, they’re magnets for mess. 

As a parent and former elementary school teacher, I’ve seen first hand how messy kids (and life) can sometimes get. I wanted readers to see that even though things don’t go according to plan, Ruthie doesn’t let the mess stand in her way of celebrating Hanukkah. She enjoys her special holiday with her own flair. In this same way, I wanted to convey that readers can enjoy life, be resilient, and continue on, even when things aren’t perfect. 

AH: Such wonderful inspiration! The message you are relaying through this story is so important to help our children and students (and grownups) see the power of being flexible and keeping a positive attitude.

How did you approach going from this seed of an idea to what is now Hanukkah Pajamakkahs? Was it something undeniable you had to write immediately or did you need to sit with this idea and let it grow for a while before it found its way to the page?

DH: When I wrote the first draft of the Hanukkah Pajamakkahs manuscript, I was in “the zone.” That first draft was written in one day. Sure, my kids didn’t get dressed or eat breakfast until lunchtime, but I had to get the words on paper. The initial draft was different from the final story. Ruthie, the main character, wore eight different pairs of Hanukkah pajamas that she’d accrued over the years. She strained, stretched, and squeezed into her beloved pajamas. The story was sentimental and about the inevitability of growing up while holding onto holiday traditions. 

As the story developed, my drive to write it grew as well. I hoped to create a relatable story that would not only help educate readers a little about Hanukkah, but would also weave other themes that might resonate with families. Throughout my life, especially as a child, I found it quite unsettling when things didn’t go according to plan. I really love plans! But being flexible and learning to enjoy yourself even when things don’t work out has been an important life lesson for me. After all, life isn’t spotless, but you can still have fun. 

AH: Finding that writing "zone" is a magical experience and I am sure your kids survived just fine. In particular I love getting that sneak peek at how Ruthie's actions shifted from the first draft to what became the final story.

AH: Did Hanukkah Pajamakkahs undergo any major changes/revisions from the original version? If so, what led you to make these changes?

DH: The manuscript went through many developmental revisions in the early stages. The story was entirely rewritten multiple times. Even after the story concept was solidified, smaller changes were made, such as streamlining the text and tweaking the ending. It took about four or five months to go from the initial draft to the final version. I received quite a bit of feedback throughout the process which was instrumental in making important changes. 

AH: Are there any books/authors that you feel influenced your work on Hanukkah Pajamakkahs?

DH: There are so many fantastic authors who have inspired my writing journey throughout the years, it’s hard to name just a few. Cynthia Rylant has written over 100 books including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. If you haven’t read her picture book, Life, I highly recommend it. Beginning with the idea that life starts small and then grows, it’s a beautiful book, celebrating nature. 

Kate DiCamillo is another fantastic author. She has written many incredible novels for children, including: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and The Tale of Despereaux. Both of these books are family favorites. Ame Dyckman’s picture books make story-time fun and engaging. I especially like her book, Dandy. Aaron Reynolds and Jory John are also favorites. Their books are clever, fun, relatable, and memorable. Author friends also provide inspiration and have influenced me over the years. They encourage me to be a better writer and cheer me on when I feel stuck or overwhelmed.  

AH: So many incredible authors to look up to and learn from. You have named some of the best!

Where do you tend to find your inspiration or your sparks for ideas?

DH: Inspiration is all around. Sometimes I find a creative spark from personal experiences, observing my own children, or from nature. Ideas also emerge in dreams and from conversations with others. Books, movies, music, and games tend to get my creative juices flowing. I also like to ask myself questions and encourage my brain to dig deeper– this can help with development. Sometimes the ideas flow more easily than others. If I’m stuck, I try to take a break and get outside. There are stories and inspiration everywhere, you just have to be open to looking at the world a little differently in order to find them. 

AH: Very true! Capturing ideas is a skill and the more we practice that skill the more we notice those incredible sparks all around us.

Do you have any upcoming projects or news you would like to share with us?

DH: I have two other picture books expected in the next couple years and hopefully more to come in the future. After working for so long to get here, I couldn’t be happier about this next chapter in my life. While I can’t share too many details about my upcoming projects quite yet, I look forward to sharing more news soon. 

AH: I am thrilled to hear there is more in the pipeline for you! We will do our best to be patient until you are able to say more.

Where can people connect more with you?

DH: My website: www.darahenry.com

X: dshenry1

IG: dara_henry_writes

AH: Readers be sure to connect with Dara on social media and at her website so you don't miss any of her exciting publishing news. And while you are at it

please consider supporting her book, Hanukkah Pajamakkahs in any way you

can.

This could include:

- ordering from your favorite indie

- marking as want to read on Goodreads  

-leaving a review

- making a library request

Dara, thank you so much for sharing all about Hanukkah Pajamakkahs. I loved learning how this book came to be!

---

GIVEAWAY!

Dara is happy to give away a signed copy of HANUKKAH PAJAMAKKAHS to one lucky winner.  (US only).

Ways to enter:

1. Comment on social media post about this blog post. Additional entry for tagging friends!

or

2. Leave a comment on this post.

or

3. Post about this interview on social media and tell me in the comments that you did.

Each method earns an extra entry!

---

ABOUT DARA HENRY

Dara Henry is a children’s book author living in Southern California. She has a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, and as a former classroom teacher, she loves sharing her stories with children and families. When Dara is not writing, her favorite pastimes include being active in the beautiful California weather, going on adventures with her family, and spending time at the public library. Dara finds inspiration in nature, life experiences, and in watching her children grow. Hanukkah Pajamakkahs is her debut picture book.

---

ABOUT ANDREW HACKET

Andrew Hacket  is a writer, second-grade teacher, and father of three. He is also the author of Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea,  Curlilocks and the Three Hares, and Hope and the Sea. Andrew recognizes that being a kid is hard and he writes to create ways for kids to see themselves in stories and characters, to accept and overcome their insecurities, or to escape for just a little while through the power of their imaginations. 

• 

• 

•