The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Dara Henry and Review of Mazel Tov, Baby!

Dara Henry is a children’s book author living in Southern California.

When she is not writing, her favorite pastimes include being active in the beautiful California weather, spending time at the public library, and enjoying time with her husband, children, and three cats.

Dara is the author of Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, illustrated by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov (2024).

Her newest board book, Mavel, Tov, Baby!, released on September 16^th.

Welcome Dara,

I’m grateful for the chance to share about my writing. Thank you for having me, Maria.  

Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? How long have you been writing? What is your favorite book to write?)

I’m a traditionally published children’s book author living in Southern California. My debut picture book Hanukkah Pajamakkahs came out in September 2024 with Sourcebooks Kids. My second book, Mazel Tov, Baby! came out just a few weeks ago in September of 2025. I’m really excited to share my books with young readers.

My favorite time to write is first thing in the morning. I’m an early riser and most focused when the house is quiet and still. I’ve been writing for many years, but only started my path to publication about eight years ago. I first became interested in writing while completing my master’s in elementary education. During that time, as part of the program, I took children’s literature courses. I began writing in my spare time and eventually took writing classes. When I started teaching, books took on new meaning as an elementary school educator. I saw how impactful literature could be in the classroom.

I don’t really have a favorite book that I’ve written (they are all special in their own ways) or even a set preference for age groups to write for. Sometimes a story lives in your heart and simply needs to come out. With Mazel Tov, Baby!, I felt the inspiration to write something to celebrate milestones for the youngest readers. It just felt right at the time.

It's wonderful to "meet" you, Dara. What helps you to be inspired? (perhaps a certain place, music, activity, etc.)

Inspiration is all around. My ideas come from so many places—sometimes a memory, a pet, a person, or an event. Sometimes inspiration can come from a song or a greeting card. While I can’t force inspiration, I can make sure I’m in the right mindset to receive that inspiration. You have to be open to ideas, make sure you jot down notes, and try to see the story within the seed.

Great advice - staying open and ready for when inspiration finds us. So, what was your inspiration or spark of interest for Mazel, Tov, Baby!?

Reading with my children has always been one of my favorite daily routines, even now as my kids are getting older. When they were really young, our favorite stories involved books that we could interact with together. At one point a few years ago I was sifting through old photos. It got me thinking back to those moments, years ago and that became my inspiration and shaped my goal when writing Mazel Tov, Baby! I hoped to create a book that would help facilitate shared play and connection between young readers and caregivers.

Those are the best kinds of books for little kids and snuggle/play times. What do you like to do outdoors - either by yourself or with your family and friends?

There’s so much beauty around Los Angeles; it’s a fantastic place to raise a family. We try to spend a lot of time outside and head to the beach or go exploring on new hiking trails. Spending time outdoors is a great way for me to get outside, have fun with my family, and reset.

A nearby beach sounds so inviting. I know people talk about forest bathing, but for me time spent listening to the waves is equally magical and rejuvenating. When you first saw Varda Livney’s illustrations in Mazel, Tov, Baby! did anything surprise, delight, or amaze you? Which is your favorite illustration?

Varda is such a talented artist. Her illustrations are bright and engaging and bring a whole new layer of magic to Mazel Tov, Baby! Varda has such a recognizable style and did a fantastic job capturing the warmth and joy that I had imagined when writing this book. I know families will love her illustrations as much as I do.

Text © Dara Henry, 2025. Image © Varda Livney, 2025.

There are so many adorable spreads, it’s hard to choose a favorite, but I especially love the pages with the lift-the-flaps because they are interactive and tactile.

I agree that kids will enjoy the flaps and the character's changing expressions and actions. Is there anything special you want your readers to know about Mazel, Tov, Baby!?

I hope Mazel Tov, Baby! inspires meaningful, interactive story time moments for readers of every age. I also want it to be more than a book, something young readers can play with, interact with, and experience together.

I think you will get your wish. What is the hardest or most challenging thing about writing Mazel, Tov, Baby!? And what was the most fun?

The most challenging thing about writing Mazel Tov, Baby! was the rhyme. Writing in rhyme is so much harder than it seems like it would be. You have to make sure it flows naturally, focus on meter and rhyme, stick to the storyline, all while keeping your audience engaged. Looking back, that was probably the hardest part. The most joyful part was revisiting little moments and memories that I shared with my own children.

Rhyming is definitely quite a challenge and then to do it in such a condensed format, I can imagine the struggles. So, how many revisions did Mazel, Tov, Baby! take from first draft to publication? How did this compare to your debut picture book Hanukkah Pajamakkahs?

I don’t usually keep track of the number of drafts; there are always so many! Although Mazel Tov, Baby! required less revision than Hanukkah Pajamakkahs, which I completely rewrote before it even went out on submission. Hanukkah Pajamakkahs went from a sentimental story to a humorous one, which required scrapping a large portion of the original story (although the kernel remained the same). 

Interesting. What makes you passionate about being a children’s author?

I’m passionate about being a children’s book author because it allows me to connect with young readers and families through writing. One of the most rewarding parts of being an author is getting to meet children and families who read my books. There’s nothing better than seeing a child or family enjoy your work.

Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?

I’m working on something special right now, something with a lot of heart. I can’t say too much, but it’s rooted in self-discovery and community. I can’t wait to share more details soon.

Best of luck with your project! 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?

I love hiking and going on adventures with my family. We recently visited Tahoe and Sequoia National Park. There’s so much natural beauty in California and the weather is fantastic, so I try to get outside as much as possible. My favorite National Park so far is probably Yosemite. It’s incredibly beautiful and there’s so much to see. Next up on my list is Zion National Park.

Thank you, Dara, for sharing with us a bit about yourself and your new book.

To find out more about Dara Henry, or to contact her:

Website: https://www.darahenry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dara_henry_writes/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/dshenry1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dara.henrywrites.1

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/darahenrywrites.bsky.social

Review of Mazel Tov, Baby!

A fun, lift-the-flap, rhyming board book providing opportunities for families and caregivers to celebrate their baby's milestones.

Mazel Tov, Baby!

Author: Dara Henry

Illustrator: Varda Livney

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (September 16, 2025)

Ages: Baby to 3

Themes:

Baby's milestones, rhyming, new baby/parent and fun.

Synopsis:

A sweet, rhyming picture book that is a must-have for any Jewish baby. Parents, grandparents, and any care giver will love to share this with the little one in their lives.

In this adorable novelty format perfect for tiny hands, readers will have fun celebrating all of the wonderful―and sometimes hidden―things that make each baby special and unique. With seven full-sized flaps that lift up, down, and sideways, and surprise mirror at the end, this sweet book is an ideal gift for baby showers!

Opening Lines:

Baby's here! Look at you.!

Mazel tov! So brand new.

What I LIKED about this book:

A wonderful book for new parents, with its soft, pastel-colored illustrations and gentle rhyming text, it helps create a special snuggle moment with a child and the adult reader.

Text © Dara Henry, 2025. Image © Varda Livney, 2025.

Gently moving through the initial milestones of a diverse cast of toddlers - tummy time,

Text © Dara Henry, 2025. Image © Varda Livney, 2025.

permanence (Peek-a-boo), body awareness, interacting with others, crawling, and taking wobbly steps. Though I shouldn't share more images, it is a board books after all, I know toddlers and their adults will really enjoy the rest of them, too. While it will appeal to all parents, the toys, clothing, bracelets, and bibs, will definitely hold a special appeal for Jewish parents. I love the little touches that Varda Livney added to the images, like this sweet mimicking kitty.

Adding to all this cuteness and the smiling babies, there is also a celebratory refrain - "Mazel tov!" - and the added fun of lifting flaps to engage the young listeners in the discovery of the character's actions, such as “Peek-a-boo,” “Blow a kiss,” and “Boop your nose.” There is also a wonderful surprise at the end to make the book very personal and fascinating. Overall, this is an endearing, lyrical board book celebrating a baby's achievements.

Resources:

• check out Unicef's list of activities for babies two months to two years, some baby playtime activities, and 17 song and game ideas.

• pair this with Baby's Here! by Jessica Young, Genevieve Godbout, Peek-a Who? by Nina Laden, Baby Faces Peekaboo!: With Mirror, Touch-and-Feel, and Flaps by DK, and the perennial favorite sensory book Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt.