About Ann Koffsky

I am excited to interview Ann Diament Koffsky about her recently published books. Ann is the award-winning author and illustrator of more than 50 books for children including the popular Kayla & Kugel series and the new My Jewish Objects series, both from Apples and Honey Press. Her books have been picked up by all the Jewish imprints and several mainstream publishers as well. Several of her books have been PJ library selections.

Ann’s artwork has also been featured on products by Hallmark, Costco, Great Arrow Graphics, Rite Lite Judaica, as well as in publications like The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Times, Jewish Action Magazine and Hadassah Magazine. Previously she was an editor and art director at Behrman House Publishers, and an illustration Professor at Stern College, Yeshiva University

Interview with Ann

Ann, thank you for taking time for this interview. You have been quite fortunate and published several books this year. You had four books released in just the last two weeks: Kayla and Kugel’s Super Sweet Rosh Hashanah, My Shofar: A Rosh Hashanah Board Book, The Three Little Sheep: A Tale for Sukkot , and Fairy GodBubbie’s Shabbat.

Kayla and Kugel Series

Your Kayla and Kugel series is so cute. Earlier, this year, Apples and Honey Press released Kayla and Kugel’s Playful Purim. This month they published the 6th book in the series. Kayla and Kugel’s Super Sweet Rosh Hashanah. In this book, Kugel is once again getting into mischief. He gets into quite the sticky situation. How did the Kayla and Kugel series come about?

It started as just one book, the original KAYLA AND KUGEL which was about Shabbat. That was successful, so we did another one…and then another…kind of like the old shampoo commercial, and so on and so on!  All of sudden, it was a series.

Was this inspired by your own experience or family? Is Kugel based on a family dog?

Kugel is based on the many, many dogs in my neighborhood! And I specifically used Brownie, who lived down the street from me, as a model.

I like the author notes at the end of each book, especially the illustration with the hand writing the note. What gave you the idea to explain what Kayla gets right and what Kugel gets right?

Oooh, good question! You know that first book was over a decade ago, and its hard to recall honestly how I came up with that format. But now it’s kind of baked into the series.

My Jewish Object Series

What is the origin of the Jewish Object board book series?

The first book again was just supposed to be a solo book, MY MEZUZAH. At that originated because I remembered watching my kids jump and jump, trying to reach it, and then when they couldn’t I’d lift them up. So that basic observation of how kids act in the world—there is so much they are trying to strive for, trying to reach that’s just beyond them. And they can get there was just a little help and a little love.

Why does the page orientation change direction, making the kids turn the books around?

I love doing this—it kind of makes the book one step closer to a toy, an object that kids interact with.

These books pack so much into such a small package. You not only teach about a Jewish item, giving holiday background, but include a preschool opposites concept like loud and quiet and a lesson in perseverance. What motivated you to take this multi-concept approach?

I try to always have multiple hooks, and multiple levels to every project I work on. Adding in lots of things to think about, learn, see, laugh at…it just makes for a richer read.

The Three Little Sheep: A Tale for Sukkot

The Three Little Sheep: A Tale for Sukkot is so cute. I adore fractured fairytales. Naturally, the three little pigs would not be appropriate for a Jewish book. Why sheep?

 I love drawing sheep! They are fun and poofy, and their wool gives a lot for an illustrator to play with. For example, it was so much fun to use the wool to give mom a beehive hairdo!

What inspired you to turn the three little pigs into a story about sukkahs? This isn’t just an introduction to the fact that we build sukkahs on Sukkot. You include a whole lesson on generosity. Tell me about that.

Well, one year we built our family sukkah, and the very next day a storm came and blew the whole thing down…just like the wolf…aha! That was the kernel of the idea.

Speaking of sheep, I loved Sheep Says Shalom . I enjoyed the foldout pages that gave a panoramic view of the farm.

Fairy Godbubbie’s Shabbat

Fairy Godbubbie’s Shabbat uses the framework of celebrating shabbat, but it is really a story with a lesson about screen use. What triggered the idea for that story. How do you manage to include a message without being preachy?

I got the idea from the teenagers I was living with…at the time one was SUPER addicted to her screen. And also, the book 24/6 by Tiffany Shlain talked about digital Shabbat, so I connected the ideas. AND–Oh, I hope I wasn’t preachy! I really worked hard with my writing group to make sure the message was a soft suggestion, not a hit over your head kind of thing.

I love the main character of the fairy godbubbie. Has she been flitting around your head for a while?

Thank you! She was inspired by a combination of my own Granny, and the fashion influencer Iris Apfel. Another really fun thing to draw!

Themes, Collaborations and More Stories

You illustrate most of your own stories. But your art style is ideal for young readers. You have a couple recent books aimed at older readers that were illustrated by other artists. How do you handle when the publisher uses a different illustrator for your book?

I collaborate! Fortunately, the other illustrators they’ve selected have been excellent, so I’ve been delighted with the results.

All of your books have Jewish themes. Have you ever tried to write a story that isn’t Jewish?

I have tried. But I think because I’m always trying to create multileveled stories, with meaning, the Jewish just feels right. Judaism always has multiple answers and thoughts about everything, right?

You are such a prolific author? What other books do you have in the pipeline

Thanks for asking! In 2026, I’ve got three coming your way:

WHAT EMMA WROTE, about Emma Lazarus. (Apples and Honey Press).

BLAZING HUMOR, about Mel Brooks. (Intergalactic Afikoman) and

 MATZAH PIZZA, a fictional story about a boy and his Zaydee making Matzah Pizza.

Thanks so much for interviewing me!

Learn More

Find out more about the author and her books at annkoffsky.com

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Read my reviews of some of Ann’s books and many other Jewish Children’s books at Goodreads on Bubbe’s Bookshelf-Jewish Kidlit.