Jenna Waldman has another purr-fetly mew-velous Jewish holiday kitty book.She has taken a few moments to answer my questions about her career and A Purrfect Sukkot.
Interview with Jenna Waldman
Jenna: Thank you for having me on your wonderful blog, Julie!
Julie: You have been very fortunate to land a contract for your first book, Larry’s Latkes with Apples and Honey and continue for five books in just six years. How did the kitty series come about?
Jenna: Yes, after selling Larry’s Latkes, I had no idea that I would go on to work with Apples & Honey Press for six books (book six is on the way in ‘27!). Originally, I was asked to try a series for Larry, but I just couldn’t make any other holidays feel quite organic with his character. Instead, I proposed creating a series with the Purr-im Time kitties, and they’ve now gone on to celebrate three more holidays together!
Julie: Now that I have asked about kitties, I have to ask Why Sukkot? There are so many holidays to choose from, what gave you the idea for this story?
Jenna: Having the kitties celebrate Sukkot was the result of a brainstorm with my editor. I originally proposed Tu Bishvat because I love the idea of the kitties celebrating nature and the birthday of the trees. But it was suggested that we use more well known holidays after Purr-im Time, so we decided on Passover, then Sukkot. In addition, we wanted a holiday that would pair well with the kitties’ playful energy!
Julie: I love that you not only included the basic activities, but that you had Mom Cat explain the origins of the holiday in a kid appropriate way. Was it difficult to work all of those points into the story?
Jenna: It’s interesting you think it’s the “Mom Cat”! My brain hadn’t assigned any roles/relationships to kitties, I think the art notes may have just said “older cat” and “younger cat”, and Erica took it from there. Yes, the story of the holiday has been a challenge in each kitty book. The story of Sukkot was a little easier since it’s less “heavy” than it is for Purim and Passover, but condensing the story into a few stanzas, in rhyme, and accessible for young children? It’s not an easy task.
Julie: Your books are so successful because you write in catchy rhymes that actually work well. It isn’t easy to make a poem flow. Can you talk about your experience writing in rhyme?
Jenna: I’ve always loved rhyme! I remember finding The Book Of Nonsense, by Edward Lear, in my mom’s office bookshelves when I was little and being amazed. But although I loved rhyme from a young age, figuring out the most important part, meter, came later. Once I started sharing my rhyming poems and stories in places like Inked Voices or 12×12, I realized I had work to do. After a lot of writing and reading, it all started to gel. The key to writing in rhyme? Practice.
Julie: I love that you included directions for Mew-velous Mini Sukkahs in the afterward. Why did you include an activity at the end?
Jenna: I might be wrong, but I think it might be an Apples & Honey Press tradition! I remember creating a recipe for the backmatter in Larry’s Latkes, a mindfulness exercise for Sharkbot Shalom, and it just kept going. I have an art background (industrial design) and love the idea of bringing a piece of the story to life, so I am happy to include an interactive element as backmatter whenever I can.
Julie: Your cute story is brought to life by Erica Chen’s adorable kitties. Do you include art notes for her at all? What is your favorite illustration in Purr-fect Sukkot?
Jenna: Hopefully Erica feels the same way (fingers crossed), but I don’t think I leave too many art notes. Sometimes they’re necessary, like describing the kitties making mini sukkahs, or jumping in leaves. In some cases, my editor will add more descriptions of what certain holiday elements look like so Erica has more information. I adore her art, and love how she brings the kitty books to life with her creativity and playfulness. My favorite illustration in A Purr-fect Sukkot (it’s hard to choose!) might be the last spread. The dancing lulav and etrog are so cute. And, I’ve never had an opportunity to sleep in a sukkah, so I’m living vicariously through the kitties!
Julie: What can we expect next? Is there another kitty book that we can look forward to reading soon?
Jenna: Yup! If you remember, I did mention a new book coming out next year. There might be some latkes in the kittie’s future—you’ll have to wait and see for sure! But for now, Happy Sukkot!
About Purr-fect Sukkot
A Purr-Fect Sukkotby Jenna Waldman
Illustrator: Erica J. Chen
Published by Apples & Honey Press on September 27, 2026
Pages: 32
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Cats, Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Celebrations / Jewish
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In this joyful sequel to the award-winning Purr-im Time and A Purr-fect Passover, adorable kitties share the fun, creativity, and outdoor excitement of Sukkot with their animal friends.
The fall Jewish holiday of Sukkot comes alive as the kittens work together to build a sukkah, welcome guests, shake the lulav and etrog, and enjoy a holiday meal. Includes a Sukkot craft.
"Kitties smile in swirling piles, the celebration's here!
A fun-filled week to share Sukkot, a festive time of year!"
When one small kitty asks about the meaning of the holiday, an elder kitty answers:
"The sukkah helps us celebrate the crops grown in the fall.
We also think about the years we had no home at all.
We wandered in the desert with no place for us to stay.
Our shelters were all simple huts just like we built today."
Instructions in the back of the book explain how to make a graham cracker sukkah, just as the kitties do during the story.
Storybook Lady
Review
Purr-fect Sukkot is the Cat’s Meow
Jenna Waldman and Erica J. Chen have created another mew-volous Jewish holiday book that is pure purr-fection. With cute, catchy rhyme, Waldman’s kitties take the reader through the process of building and decorating the sukkah and all the holiday traditions, including the lulav and etrog, sleeping in the sukkah and dining with friends. She even has the kitties build edible mini-sukkahs ( with instructions in the afterward). Mama Cat provides a brief age appropriatae explanation for the origin of Sukkot. Erica Chen’s cute kitty illustrations are a delight to the eye. The kitties romp through the story with other animal friends playing along. You will want this cute kitty holiday book along with Purr-im Time and A Purr-fect Passover,
About Jenna Waldman
About Jenna Waldman
Jenna Waldman is the author of six picture books: A Purr-fect Sukkot (Apples & Honey Press, 2026), A Purr-fect Passover (Apples & Honey Press, 2025), Purr-im Time! (Apples & Honey Press, 2023), Larry’s Latkes, and Sharkbot Shalom (Apples & Honey Press, 2021), and the forthcoming, A Purr-fect Hanukkah (Apples & Honey Press, 2027). Jenna is originally from Rhode Island, but now lives in the SF Bay Area. She shares her home with her husband, their two boys, four felines, and many house spiders.
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Hands down, Jenna Waldman is my most favorite children’s author. Pure talent.