Former Winnipegger and Joseph Wolinsky graduate, Janelle Silverstone ( nee Devere) has published her first children’s book called, Kid Power – Kids Like You Figure It Out. The book of four Jewish themed stories is published under her Hebrew name, Chaya Silverstone, by Israel Bookshop Publications, and is illustrated by Racheli David.

In the book Avi, Yudi, Avigayil and Rivky learn the proper way to act when around others.  Things don’t have to be equal or fair, a smile is worth its weight in gold, and remembering to show “hakaras hatov” to others is more important than having the best memory.
The delightful stories are geared for ages four through seven when youngsters are naturally learning and adopting social skills that will carry them through life. David’s boldly coloured illustrations are bound to catch the eye of any reader.

Silverstone made aliyah to Israel in July 2008. “I was last in Winnipeg 4 years ago. Since then, all of my family has moved from there to Toronto,” she said. Silverstone’s foray into writing for children was a personal one. Besides enjoying writing poems for children, she told the Winnipeg Jewish Review that having read so many books to her own children she came to the conclusion that she could write them too. “I try to write stories that my children would enjoy.”

When searching for a publisher, Silverstone did what many burgeoning authors do. “I walked around the children’s section of Jewish bookstores and checked the books I read to my children.”

After submitting her stories to several publishers, a home was found for them with Israel Bookshop Publications. The book is being distributed in the United States, England, Israel and South Africa in select Jewish book stores, and sells for $18.00. It can also be purchased by going to the publishers website: www.israelbookshoppublications.com.

Silverstone is currently a freelance writer for Jewish children’s magazines, does freelance editing, and Hebrew to English translating in various fields. Silverstone currently lives in Neve Yaakov which is in northern Jerusalem with her husband, Chaim, her daughters, Devorah Miriam and Shira, and two sons, Moshe and Yehuda.

“Although it’s nice to have a book published, a written piece does not have to be published in order for it to be meaningful,” says Silverstone. But published she is, and now countless children can enjoy her wonderful stories.