.png)
A first-time author and South Bay local, HBFoL had the pleasure of meeting Henry as she prepared to take off on her book tour to celebrate the success of Hanukkah Pajamakkahs and share this story with families across the country. Adorned in her blue Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, Dara Henry’s passion and joy for books and storytelling was palpable as soon as she stepped into the HBFoL bookstore. Beautifully and uniquely illustrated, Hanukkah Pajamakkahs tells the story of Ruthie, who adores the pajamas she receives on the first night of Hanukkah, and insists on wearing them for all eight nights, despite them getting smeared and stained during various fun activities and quality time with her family. Ruthie maintains her determination to prove to her parents that she can remain spotless.
A mother of three, Henry’s book was largely inspired by her children’s love of holiday pajamas and how they respond to situations that can get a bit messy, as it tells the story of Ruthie, her family, and the traditions of Hanukkah. Henry sought to create a unique main character, and while brainstorming the qualities she wanted this character to represent, she was drawn to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first Jewish woman to hold the coveted title of Supreme Court Justice. From Bader Ginsburg’s advocacy for gender equality and women’s rights, and resilience to overcame hurdles and blaze the trail for all women, the name “Ruthie” was born. As Henry explains, she “had a feeling Ruth Bader Ginsburg, would have gotten along well with my main character—a spunky little girl, passionate about her pajamas and about Hanukkah... Throughout the story we see Ruthie being challenged time and again to keep her pajamas spotless. But even though things don’t go according to plan, Ruthie remains optimistic. She celebrates life and her favorite holiday with her own special flair. By the end of the story, it’s a miracle Ruthie’s pajamas have lasted all eight, just like the oil in the miracle of Hanukkah”.
Told through Ruthie’s experience over the eight days of Hanukkah, the reader will learn about the magic of this holiday and family tradition. While the story centers around a Jewish holiday, this book transcends religion and connects with children and families from all backgrounds and identities. As Henry describes, she aimed to illuminate themes which are relatable for all adults and children, and “even though things don’t go according to plan, Ruthie remains positive. In this same way, I wanted to convey that readers can enjoy life, be resilient, and continue on, even midst all the mess”.
Henry’s journey to becoming a published author with a traditional publishing company has been a hard-earned accomplishment. Some of Henry’s inspiration has drawn from female writers such as Cynthia Rylant (Henry highly recommends her picture book, Life), and children’s book authors Kate DiCamillo and Ame Dyckman. She has written several manuscripts, and feels that she has learned something valuable from each, ultimately leading her to successfully publish Hanukkah Pajamakkahs. Her advice to aspiring writers is: “…just go for it! Get involved in the writing community, take classes, meet other authors, and most importantly, WRITE. Each and every time you write a manuscript, you’re working on your craft”. Henry also emphasizes the importance of creating a writing community, where fellow authors can cultivate a culture of inspiration, motivation, and encouragement. Henry eloquently concludes that “living life, connecting with others, and having new experiences is an important part of generating ideas as well. There are stories everywhere; you just have to know where to look”.
For more information about Henry’s book tour and where to purchase, Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, please visit her website: https://www.darahenry.com/