PJ Library is passionate about excellent, engaging Jewish children’s literature. Since the inception of our program just over 10 years ago, we've helped bring dozens of Jewish children’s books to life that otherwise would not have existed. We have also seen a dramatic increase in the quality of the books we send to more than 160,000 families in North America every month. And yet there is more work to be done--the quest for brilliant books continues!
Next summer, we'll be hosting 20 writers for the first-ever Tent: Children's Literature retreat in conjunction with the Yiddish Book Center.
In Tent: Children’s Literature, emerging and midcareer writers of picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade fiction spend a week at the Yiddish Book Center reading and writing, workshopping new projects, and talking about craft and the history of Jewish storytelling. The program offers intensive, multi-day workshops led by prominent critics and editors, as well as seminars on Jewish history, literature, and cultural materials led by Josh Lambert, academic director at the Yiddish Book Center and visiting assistant professor at UMass Amherst. Every admitted participant receives a scholarship for the full cost of tuition, room, board, books, and special events, and also receives a travel stipend.
Applications are due April 24, 2017. Only twenty applicants will be selected for the program. Applications will be reviewed and notifications will be sent by May 15, 2017. Apply here.
In addition to Tent, PJ Library is also offering a $2,000 incentive to any story selected for our use over the next two years. As we develop these and other initiatives, we welcome suggestions that will enable us to bring the best Jewish children’s literature to today’s young children and families and add to the cannon of outstanding Jewish literature.
December 5, 2016