My Kidlit Clubhouse pal Barbara Kimmel joins The Backstory today with her board book, HANUKKAH HIPPITY-HOP! Kids won't be able to take their hands off this playful, interactive, rhyming romp. Keep reading to learn how this book came to be and for your chance to win a copy from Barbara!
AH: Welcome to The Backstory and thank you for joining us and sharing the inspiration behind Hanukkah Hippity-Hop.
BK: Thank you so much for having me! I love reading your blog and learning the backstory of so many amazing KidLit creators.
AH: First off, please tell us a little bit about your story.
BK: HANUKKAH HIPPITY-HOP is a playful, rhyming board book sure to have toddlers marching like Maccabees, spinning like dreidels, and jumping like latkes in a hot sizzling pan! It’s a fun read-aloud and a lively, interactive way to learn about Hanukkah.
AH: This sounds like a blast and the perfect way to engage little readers and listeners in learning about this holiday tradition. The cover alone has so much action and personality that I can just imagine how playful and fun the rest of the story must be.
AH: What’s the story behind the story? What was your inspiration? Where did the idea come from?
BK: As a new writer, I participated in as many contests as possible to sharpen my skills and connect with the wonderful KidLit community. One of my favorites is Vivian Kirkfield’s annual “50 Precious Words” challenge. The first year I entered, my story placed 5th out of more than 700 entries, and the following year, I placed 4th. Both stories were short, interactive, and rhyming, which motivated me to continue writing in that style. Stories with Jewish themes are important to me, and since Jewish publishers were accepting unsolicited board book manuscripts (I didn’t have an agent at the time), I decided to write about Hanukkah.
AH: Those contests are the perfect way to refine our writing toolset and to spark inspiration for new stories. I love hearing how Vivian's contest helped push you towards writing this book.
How did you approach going from this seed of an idea to what is now Hanukkah Hippity-Hop? 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?
BK: I’m a big list-maker! Once I decided to create an interactive Hanukkah book, I made two lists— one with Hanukkah-related words and another with fun action words. Then, I paired each Hanukkah element with a movement. (I managed to include almost all of my favorite actions— except for clapping—so maybe that will make its way into a future holiday book!)
AH: Great strategy! I am sure those lists helped you stay focused on making this book both interactive and educational.
AH: Did Hanukkah Hippity-Hop undergo any major changes/revisions from the original version? If so, what led you to make these changes?
BK: Writing in rhyme was a new challenge, so I reached out to my amazing critique friends from SCBWI Southern Breeze and from a PJ Library retreat at the Highlights Foundation. Their feedback helped me refine the rhyme. After I submitted the manuscript, the publisher requested I add two more actions/movements, plus they made some small adjustments, such as changing the spelling from “Chanukah” to “Hanukkah.”
AH: Critique groups are the best! None of us (or very few) can do this work on our own and those groups help push us to make our work even better than we thought we could.
Are there any books/authors that you feel influenced your work?
BK: My kids grew up on Sandra Boynton’s wonderful board books so I’m sure those influenced me.
AH: Where do you tend to find your inspiration or your sparks for ideas?
BK: I’m inspired to write stories that I would have loved for my kids when they were young. I saw a need for playful, interactive Jewish children’s books, so I’ve focused on creating Jewish books that are both entertaining and educational. Since reading was challenging for me (and for my kids), I try to present concepts in a fun, engaging way to help children discover a love for books and reading from an early age.
AH: What lovely inspiration! And the teacher in me loves that you keep those struggling readers in mind as you create. They deserve these wonderful, engaging books and your creating them is such a gift.
Do you have any upcoming projects or news you would like to share with us?
BK: I am SO excited to share my next project, PURIM POSSIBILITIES! It’s a novelty book from PJ Publishing that celebrates the Jewish holiday of Purim, when children dress up in costumes, much like Halloween. This project is especially fun because it includes Colorforms© stickers so kids can mix and match pieces to create unique Purim costumes. I grew up on Colorforms© kits so this is truly a dream!
AH: WOW! This is incredible. Congratulations on this project. Kids are going to love it!
Where can people connect more with you?
BK: For book information, news, and coloring sheets (coming soon!), check out my website: barbarakimmelwrites.com. I love supporting KidLit creators and sharing new children’s books on Instagram (@BarbaraKimmelWrites) and Twitter/X (@BKimmelWrites). You can also connect with me on my personal Facebook (@bkimmelwrites) or follow my brand new Facebook Author Page (@barbarakimmelwrites) where I’ll post my holiday events and school visits.
AH: Readers be sure to connect with Barbara 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 and Hanukkah Hippity-Hop 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
Barbara, thank you so much for sharing all about Hanukkah Hippity-Hop. I loved learning how this book came to be!
GIVEAWAY!
Barbara is happy to give away a copy of Hanukkah Hippity-Hop (US only).
Ways to enter:
1. Retweet my tweet 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 BARBARA KIMMEL
Barbara Kimmel is a children's book author and playwright who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She writes playful, interactive board books and picture books designed to spark a love of reading from the earliest age. Barbara’s debut, Hanukkah Hippity-Hop, was named a “Best Jewish Holiday Children’s Books of Fall 2024” by the Association of Jewish Libraries. Her next project, Purim Possibilities, a novelty book featuring Colorforms© stickers, is scheduled to be released by PJ Publishing in spring 2026. Learn more about Barbara at barbarakimmelwrites.com.
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.
