The Picture Book Buzz -Interview w/Tami Lehman-Wilzig and Review of On the Wings of Eagles
- Maria Marshall
- 2 minutes ago
- 10 min read
Tami Lehman-Wilzig is an American-Israeli which means she thinks and talks simultaneously in English and Hebrew, making her fluent in Hebrish.
She’s a wife…a mother…and a doting grandmother of two fun-loving teen and tween grandchildren!
And…Tami is an award-winning children's book author. Writing has been her passion for a very long time. Her other passion is her Jewish heritage. She’s been lucky enough to be able to combine the two so that she can share both passions with you as a children’s book author and writer.
Tami is the author of 16 books, including Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom, illustrated by Oliver Averill (2023), The Boston Chocolate Party, co-authored with Rabbi Deborah R. Prinz, illustrated by Fede Combi (2022), Soosie: The Horse That Saved Shabbat, illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt (2021), Stork's Landing, illustrated by Anna Shuttlewood (2014), Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles, co-authored with Nicole Katzman, illustrated by Jeremy Tugeau (2011), Hanukkah Around the World, illustrated by Vicki Wehrman (2009), Lotty's Lace Tablecloth (Jewish Heirloom Stories), illustrated by Ksenia Topaz (2007).
Her newest book, On the Wings of Eagles, was released on April 29th.
Welcome Tami,
Thank you Maria for inviting me to be part of your blog. I am so happy and feel honored to be here with you.
Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? How long have you been writing? What is your favorite book to write?)
So…a little about myself. In one sentence: Never give up hope. That’s my life mantra.
Here’s how it connects to writing. I went from being a reluctant reader as a young child to a writing enthusiast. I always say that I wrote my first “book” at age 10, when I penned “The Case of the Green Eyes” during a summer thunderstorm in upstate New York. I even illustrated it and stapled it together into a “paperback.” But my love for writing didn’t take off until high school, thanks to a wonderful English teacher named Martha Weingarten, who recognized my talent and read some of my stories out loud to the class. From then on, writing became a hobby. In college, I took a course in children’s literature. That’s when I decided that I wanted to become a children’s picture book author.
Of course, that didn’t happen overnight. There were many writing detours along the way, including on-air copywriting for PBS, and 35 years as one of Israel’s leading English language advertising copywriters. Throughout, I continued writing children’s stories as a hobby and reading them out loud to my children. Today, I’m retired from the advertising world and enjoy writing Jewish content children’s picture book stories. We’ve glass-enclosed our garden apartment patio, which is surrounded by trees and greenery and the sound of chirping birds. That patio is where I spend most of my time writing.
That sounds heavenly! What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written a manuscript?
I have an unusual answer for that question. Israel has been fighting a horrific war, started by Hamas over a year-and-a-half ago, when they slaughtered over 1,300 people and took over 250 Israelis into captivity. Especially during the first year, the sound of sirens signaling a missile attack became part and parcel of our lives. Most Israeli apartments are equipped with a reinforced security room for such attacks. So, yup. That’s where I’ve done some of my writing!
Definitely not the usual writing experience we hear about. I know this isn’t your favorite question, but what was your inspiration or spark of interest for On the Wings of Eagles?
In fact, I do enjoy answering this question. Yemenite Jews have made an important impact on Israeli culture, so I’ve always been curious about them. I don’t remember what motivated me several years ago to research their history in Israel, but when I read that Alaska Airlines was responsible for the daring airlift that brought them over here, that sparked my curiosity and led me on a fantastic journey.
That would be a fun spark to follow. What was the hardest or most challenging thing about writing On the Wings of Eagles? And what was the most fun?
This picture book is historical fiction, so the challenge was making sure that historical details were correct. After I interviewed Leah Ma’Udah, who was called Haila in Yemen and is the story’s young heroine, I found myself calling her numerous times to make sure various facts were correct. The trek that was made from Rada, Yemen to Aden is her story, and I wanted to make sure I had it right. Even when the illustrations started coming in, I met with her to make sure everything was authentic. So, for example, in the first illustration draft the illustrator had Haila’s father sitting at table, working on his jewelry. Leah smiled when she saw that and said: “That would never have happened. Everyone worked sitting on the floor.” Making sure that everything sounded, read, and looked authentic was the biggest challenge, and I am so proud of the final product.
The most fun? Historical fiction means artistic license up to a point. It was fun making up the paper airplane scenarios and tying them into the story. It was fun watching how the illustrator took the true fact that on one flight the pilot and crew painted an eagle around the plane’s door to encourage the Yemenite Jews to board and gave that a twist by having the entire plane painted as an eagle. I LOVE that double-spread illustration!
Interesting! I am fascinated both by an author's liberties and by their adherence to historical fact and I appreciate you sharing this with us. How many revisions did On the Wings of Eagles take from first draft to publication? How did this compare with writing any of your other books?
Revision is the name of the game for every one of my books. I would say it’s like that for all authors. I can’t give you an exact figure on how many revisions this particular book took. On my own, I did so many revisions just to get the first draft to where I wanted it. Then I sent it out to my critique group and a host of individual critiquers. Once I had everyone’s feedback, I sat down, did a thorough review and began my next round of revisions. All of this was before publisher submission. In general, when any book is accepted the story is never left untouched. I have learned so much from the editors of all of my books, certainly from Aviva Lucas Gutnick, who was my editor for this book. Yes, that meant more revisions, sometimes even at my own initiative.
The draft captures the premise and the revisions chisel out the heart of a story. When you first saw Alisha Monnin’s illustrations did anything surprise, amaze, or delight you? Which is your favorite spread?
Text © Tami Lehman-Wilzig, 2025. Image © Alisha Monnin, 2025.
I am in love with Alisha’s illustrations. The human emotions are powerfully expressed, the cultural details are perfect, the landscapes wonderful. I can’t stop raving about them. My favorite, of course, is the double spread with the entire plane painted as an eagle.
I mentioned the war we are going through in an earlier answer. I can’t begin to tell you what it did for me, watching these illustrations unfold over the course of a year that simultaneously had missiles flying over my head. The illustrations literally brought me to tears. Along with the storyline it created the full package as to why a Jewish homeland is so important.
The eagle spread is stunning and so poignant. What's something you want your readers to know or learn about On the Wings of Eagles?
On top of the huge importance of a Jewish state, I hope this book will shed light on the atrocities committed against Jews living in Arab lands; countries that they considered home. The 49,000 Jews of Yemen that were airlifted to safety in Israel by Alaska Airlines were part of the 1 million Jews forced to flee countries throughout the Middle East and Africa between 1949-1950. Egypt is part of Africa; so are Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. Jews living for thousands of years in both the Middle East and North Africa were subjected to deadly pogroms. They had to quickly pick up and flee, leaving behind their beloved homes and prized possessions, knowing that they would never be allowed to return. I want readers and their parents to know this, especially in today’s rampant antisemitic and anti-Israel climate, fueled by mistruths spouted by ignorant people.
Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
I’m juggling a few. All are Jewish content, because as you’ve already pointed out I am very proud of my Jewish heritage. One of the stories I’m working on takes place in 15th century Venice, in the Jewish ghetto, which BTW is where the word ghetto originated. Another story is a picture book biography, which is a first for me. It’s about Professor Ada Yonath, the first Israeli to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and only the fifth woman ever to do so. And I’m tickling my brain about doing a Hanukkah story that has a Japanese connection. I’ll keep you in suspense about that one.
These all sound fascinating and I look forward to seeing them. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?
Israelis love to travel, so I have seen my fair share of European, Far Eastern, Australian and American national parks, city parks, and gardens. Hands down, for me nothing compares to the Grand Canyon. I will always remember and see in my mind’s eye how the colors of the canyon changed with the position of the sun and time of day. Simply magnificent.
It is very impressive. I've been to the north and south rims! Thank you, Tami, for sharing with us a bit about yourself and your new book.
To find out more about Tami Lehman-Wilzig, or to contact her:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tlwkidsbooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamilehmanwilzig/
Review of On the Wings of Eagles
The United Nations' Partition Plan in 1947, led to the necessity of evacuating forty-nine thousand Jewish refugees from Yemen. This touching picture book is based on the true story of one girl and her family's hasty departure and flight to emigrate to Israel.
On the Wings of Eagles
Author: Tami Lehman-Wilzig
Illustrator: Alisha Monnin
Publisher: Apples and Honey Press (May 29, 2025)
Ages: 5 - 8
Historical Fiction
Themes:
Emigration, bravery, prejudice, Isreal, airlift rescue, daring, and compassion.
Synopsis:
Based on real events, this picture book for ages 5-8 dramatizes the story of young Haila, a Yemenite girl, who with her family was airlifted to safety by Alaska Airlines pilot Warren Metzger during Operation Magic Carpet, an international effort that rescued nearly 50,000 Jews from the dangers of Yemen in 1949 and 1950.
“You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles' wings to bring you to me.” —Exodus 19:4
It's not safe for Haila and her family in Yemen anymore. They've been promised they will be carried to safety on the wings of eagles. But time is running short as they wait for help.
On the other side of the world, Warren is a pilot for Alaska Airlines. When he receives a telegram asking to aid the Jews fleeing Yemen, he knows he has to take the risk and do what he can to help.
After a long journey to Aden, a port city where they were to go to leave Yemen, Haila and her family are scared to see an airplane for the first time. Where are the eagles that were supposed to fly them to Israel? Warren needs to show everyone that they're safe, and hopefully, his plan will work.
Opening Lines:
Yemen, 1949
A hot, dusty wind blew through the sandy streets of Rada, Yemen.
Inside a two-story mud-stone house, Haila gathered scraps of fabric
while her grandmother and mother sewed blouses.
Her father twisted
silver strands to make
rings and bracelets.
What I LOVED about this book:
This wonderful historical fiction captures the experience of a Jewish family in Yemen just after the Partition Plan of 1947 and the creation of a Jewish state. This seemingly serene family moment is interrupted by noises and danger in the streets. Alisha Monnin's colorful, often full bleed, realistic illustrations immerse the reader in Haila's world in Yemen, with beautiful depictions of traditions and clothing, and the poignantly felt fear and stress of losing everything.
Text © Tami Lehman-Wilzig, 2025. Image © Alisha Monnin, 2025.
When the violence in Yemen erupts, Haila's family packs what they can carry and flee on foot for the long, blistering hike to across the desert to Aden, and a hoped-for rescue by eagles. Unfortunately, trusting three highway robbers, they lost everything but the clothes on their back.
Meanwhile, a second plot line follows an Alaska Airlines pilot, Warren, on the other side of the world, who receives a telegram, "Trouble for Jews in Yemen. Must Fly them out to safety in Isreal now!" and bravely rushes to the rescue.
Text © Tami Lehman-Wilzig, 2025. Image © Alisha Monnin, 2025.
When Haila and her family finally arrive in Aiden, the plot lines converge. Warren is there entertaining children and helping them make paper airplanes. Unfortunately, a giant metal "monster" was not seen as a something that would save them. As a nurse and rabbi explained, these people had never seen a plane and were expecting to be "carried us on eagles’ wings to safety." So that night, Warren and his crew "painted a large eagle around the plane’s door and sides."
Text © Tami Lehman-Wilzig, 2025. Image © Alisha Monnin, 2025.
Will this work? Be sure to check out this gorgeous, historically accurate story full of compassion, suspense, and bravery. Notes at the end explore the true events of the Yemen evacuations, provide some information on Haila and Warren, along with black and white photographs and a handwritten note from a grownup Leah (Haila). This a wonderful historical fiction picture book about a Jewish family who fled Yemen in 1949 and the brave American Airlines pilot and crew who helped them.
Resources:
if you had to leave your home suddenly, for any reason, what would you want to take with you?
what do you think was the toughest part of Haila's journey? Why?
