P.J. le Pooch Gets Top Rating from CM!

Click here to order in print or ebook 

★★★★/4
Highly Recommended
by CM: Canadian Review of Materials*

It doesn't get much better than that! 

I'm working on P.J. le Pooch's next adventures for middle-grade readers, so it's very gratifying—not to mention, motivating!—to have his first novel get such a glowing endorsement.

*CM: Canadian Review of Materials is a prestigious online publication, from the University of Manitoba, of particular interest to teachers and librarians.

Surprise your Kids for Passover!

"Janet Ruth Heller’s The Passover Surprise is a nicely illustrated chapbook for young readers with clear print, great chapter titles, well-placed black-and-white illustrations, and a pleasing lesson well-told. The story’s set around 1960, when civil rights hit the schoolroom and the news, fathers might have served in the Second World War, and girls were still not supposed to like the same things as boys. It’s a deceptively simple tale in which life isn’t fair, but love and trust, with a measure of kind communication, might ease the pain. 

"Readers will learn about sibling rivalry and parental mistakes, while absorbing the joys of stamp collecting, Jewish Sabbath and Passover, and family love. As Lisa learns of the world’s many faults, her own problems fall into pleasing perspective, and her mother’s advice proves wise and comforting.

"A great book to build good family relationships (complete with a neat discussion guide), and an intriguing window into the world, The Passover Surprise is highly recommended." —Sheila Deeth, author of Psalm Stories and other books

How to Deal with Unfairness in a Father

A chapter book for middle grades

Bonnie Ferrante talks about the complex issue of how a child deals with an unfair father in her review of Janet Heller's chapter book for middle grades, The Passover Surprise.

Read Bonnie Ferrante's in-depth interview with Janet Heller, "A Life-long Mission of Equality and Inclusion."

P.J. le Pooch Featured in Nanaimo Bulletin

A big thank-you to Rachel Stern
of the Nanaimo News Bulletin
for her article about my middle-grades novel,
P.J. le Pooch & the Magic Sketchbook.

P.J. le Pooch Launched at Gabriola Library Dec. 3

Author Morri Mostow
with artist Vicky Bowes

Gabriola artist Vicky Bowes received lots of well-deserved kudos from the folks attending the book launch of P.J. le Pooch & the Magic Sketchbook at the Gabriola Library, for her wonderful cover art.

PJ. le Pooch Officially Launched!

A fine turnout for the launch of P.J. le Pooch & the Magic Sketchbook at Brome Lake Books in Knowlton, Quebec, where the book is set. 

Author Morri Mostow and fan

 

The launch attendees,
including some enthusiastic kids

The window display promoting the book

Carol Matas's Upcoming Sci-Fi for Middle Grades

One of six test covers

We've been working hard on different cover approaches for Carol Matas's new sci-fi for middle grades, Who Am I? Over the last few months, we've tested various covers at different schools in different cities.

Click here for a recap of our last test.

Feel free to weigh in with your opinion in the Comments section.

We've scheduled Who Am I? for a fall launch. Stay tuned!

THE PASSOVER SURPRISE "FILLED WITH WONDER AND HOPE"

A new review of The Passover Surprise by Janet Ruth Heller, in Children's Bookwatch, October 2015 (Midwest Book Review):

"The Passover Surprise is a middle grade chapter story that deals sensitively with complex issues like fairness, sexist thinking, working hard to sort out complex problems and issues within a family setting, relying on strong religious and cultural values within the framework of Judaism. 

"Lisa is the heroine who is hurt by her father's decision to award a coveted stamp book to her younger brother Jon, perhaps because he is the younger son while she is the older daughter. Some wonderful pages describe first how Lisa felt, and then how she evaluates her options and strategies to attempt to explain her reaction to her father, whom she loves. 

The Passover Surprise tackles many difficult issues of prejudice, racism, misogyny, and fairness, even including bullying. All development is influenced by the strong Jewish faith and values of Lisa and her family. The story takes place in the 60's, and has a definite period flavor to it, which is underlined by the quietly charming black and white illustrations.The Passover Surprise is filled with wonder and hope, even in times of dreadful hardship and disappointment."