CHILDREN OF THE BOOK

Nonfiction, St. Martin’s Press, 2025
A celebration of the power and wonder of lifelong reading—both secular and sacred
In CHILDREN OF THE BOOK, Ilana Kurshan explores the closeness forged when family life unfolds against a backdrop of reading together. Kurshan, a mother of five living in Jerusalem, at first struggles to balance her passion for literature with her responsibilities as a parent. Gradually she learns how to relate to reading not as a solitary pursuit and an escape from the messiness of life, but rather as a way of teaching independence and forging connection. Introducing her children to sacred and secular literature—including the beloved classics of her childhood—helps her become both a better mother and a better reader.
Chief among the books Kurshan reads with her children is the Five Books of Moses, known as the Torah, which Jews the world over read in synchrony as part of the liturgical cycle. In the five parts of this memoir, Kurshan explores the surprising resonances between the biblical text and her experiences as a mother and a reader – from the first picture books that create the world through language for little babies, to the moment our children begin reading on their own leaving us behind, atop the mountain, as they enter new lands without us. A testament to the enduring power of shared texts, CHILDREN OF THE BOOK celebrates the deep pleasures of books.
Rights Sold:
US: St. Martin’s Press (World English)
Reviews:
“A gleaming love letter to books, an ode to modern motherhood, and an embrace of Jewish life, Children of the Book is relatable, poignant, thought-provoking, and utterly delightful.” —Zibby Owens, podcast host of Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, bestselling author of Blank
"Ilana Kurshan’s dual memoir of her life as a parent alongside her lifelong love affair with reading is by turns laugh-out-loud funny and startlingly poignant. From lessons on friendship learned from Frog and Toad to the Giving Tree’s cautionary tale about love and boundaries, Kurshan shows how the classics of children’s literature work not just to entertain kids but to help parents emotionally connect with them. Children of the Book answers one of contemporary parenthood’s most vexing questions—how do you raise kids who love reading—with wit, verve, and style." —Ruth Franklin, book critic, author of Shirley Jackson, A Rather Haunted Life
"This book teems with the greatest care, consideration, and insight. To love both reading and parenting the way Kurshan does is to reaffirm our faith in all that is good in literature and in life. Her deep and selfless attention is a gift and a lesson in humility, curiosity, and openness. I savored every page." —Elisa Albert, author of Human Blues
“A magnificent book about the profound experience of raising children in the constant presence of literature.” — Dara Horn, author of People Love Dead Jews and One Little Goat: A Passover Catastrophe
"An accessible entree into the Jewish tradition that will charm audiences of all backgrounds. Reminiscent of Anne Fadiman’s Ex-Libris, this sweet volume puts the familiar trials, tribulations, and triumphs of motherhood into conversation with one of our fundamental human texts – and in so doing, illuminates new insights into both." —Rabbi Rachel Isaacs