At the Germantown Jewish Center, outside the “Little Shop” selling Judaica and gifts,  Yona Diamond Dansky and Susan Weiss sat a table with their newly published picture books, inspired by their grandchildren.

While her daughter was going through treatment for cancer, illustrator Yona Dansky got the idea to write a children’s book for her grandson, then 3 years old, who was affected by the household distress brought about by his Mom’s serious illness. Dansky’s daughter has recovered and Dansky, since retired, now tells the story of Mooshu the family beagle who was sad because he was getting less attention and had to speak up to be taken out for a walk. Finally, Mooshu cuddles in bed with her daughter, realizing it seems, that he has done nothing wrong and enters the “circle of compassion, comfort and closeness.” Dansky hopes this picture book, “Mooshu Worries” will be helpful to families of young children dealing with a serious illness. Watch video interview of grandmother describing picture book about grandson and the family dog during her daughter’s serious illness.

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Susan Weiss’ twin grandchildren have very messy hair and don’t like it touched. With their grand-mom the girls like to bake challah, a Jewish bread characterized by large braids. So Weiss convinces them to let her make challahs on their heads. Becky’s Braids, illustrated by Deborah Gross-Zuchman, tells the story. Watch  video interview of  grandmother’s challah story about braiding granddaughter’s messy hair.