Public Service Announcement #20
imperiled libraries + HILWA'S GIFTS interview + project sneak peek + new class in May! + school visit
PSA: let’s help libraries
My partner, Todd Davis, and I made one of our stop motion Davis PSAs a couple of years ago, “Let Books Live,” that’s unfortunately more topical than ever.
What is threatening about libraries?
They represent knowledge, diversity, history, truth, community, resources, access, community, safety—and all the amazing, inclusive, empowering work that librarians do.
Why do libraries matter?
The reasons are myriad, numerous, plentiful given that list above! What’s inside a library? Books to read—for free! They teach. They heal. They free us.
How can we help libraries?
EveryLibrary just launched a Save Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) site.
From them:
“Congress enacted the Museum and Library Services Act to strengthen and support state libraries…and systems of support to individual public, school, and academic libraries…
The Executive Order states that IMLS must be reduced to its ‘statutory functions.’ It also requires that ‘non-statutory components and functions …shall be eliminated to the maximum extent….’
We are extremely concerned that the wording of this E.O. could result in cuts to the core functions of IMLS. The Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have used similar E.O.s to dismantle the other federal agencies.
You can take all the actions you need and stay in the loop at EveryLibrary’s new site! Let’s help libraries thrive!
interview with Safa Suleiman, author of HILWA’S GIFTS
HILWA’S GIFTS written by Safa Suleiman, illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan is out April 1st! Pre-order your signed copy from an indie bookstore! I feel truly lucky to know dearest Safa, and I’m thrilled more people will know her through this absolutely delightful book.
Do you know who Hilwa is? A special olive tree in Palestine who Ali visits at harvest time. (Hilwa means “sweet one” in Arabic.) Hilwa has shade, is great for climbing, and offers so many gifts Ali’s Seedo shows him:
“We would never hurt olive trees, habibi…their gifts are too precious.”
If you’ve never been to an olive harvest, but have seen the final episode of Mo’s ultimate season, this picture book mirrors that spirit from a child’s perspective: of bounty, care for land, family, total joy, and the gifts we celebrate together that come from nature and precious ritual.
“I never saw myself in children’s books growing up. It wasn’t until I had children that I began to actively seek diverse children’s literature for them. When I started substitute teaching at the elementary school level in 2016, I started writing Hilwa’s Gifts.”
—Safa Suleiman
From our interview:
The olive harvest of 2002 coincided with my brother’s wedding. After the festivities, my grandmother hired a few people to help us harvest our olive trees. My siblings, cousins and I worked to fish out the leaves to prepare them for the olive press. It was a beautiful family affair that inspired me to write the story.
I think of the line in Mahmoud Darwish’s poem, “The Second Olive Tree” where he writes, “She lives as a sister of eternity, neighbor of time.” My connection and love for the mighty and enduring olive trees of Palestine has never changed despite space and time.
—Safa Suleiman
[This harvest ritual and food] is the connection to the land. The enduring symbol and role they have in Palestinian life and culture. Giving, receiving and rejoicing from the abundant olive tree. I am reminded of all of this when I cook and eat with olive oil. We treat the olive trees with sacredness and reverence.
I’m profoundly grateful. This journey is a vulnerable one. It requires much sabr (patience). As an educator, I can share my lived experience and inspire children to tell their own story, and that writing is a deep gift not only for the writer but for the readers. It’s important for me to communicate that my book honors my ancestors and the land of Palestine authentically and proudly.
Safa Suleiman is a Palestinian American educator with more than twenty years of experience in undergraduate and elementary school pedagogy. She is the author of Hilwa’s Gifts (‘25, Candlewick), which received a starred review from Booklist, calling it “an absolute treasure,” and Ameena’s Special Thobe (‘26, Candlewick). Safa lives in Colorado, in the homeland of the Ute Nation.
It’s customary to have a plate of olives during breakfast spreads. I pop them right in my mouth. But the gift of olive oil is my favorite.
—Safa Suleiman
Speaking of the gift of olive oil, a friend of mine here in LA recently introduced me to Yalla Coffee. On our first visit, we discovered they carry olive oil from Palestine!! I opened my special can of Ya Albi the other night. It’s rich, fragrant, wow!! This mother-daughter-run business has the most marvelous pink tin packaging too. (They sell it online and 100% of the proceeds go to Heal Palestine.)
Also, my dear, sweet friend, Ayşegül Konak, has a new children’s book in Turkish!
special project sneak peek with Billy Ruffian
Sooo…one of the many projects I’ve been working on this winter is on something Julia Ward How0e wrote in 187. Big shout to my friend Julie Ann who first put this powerhouse of a Victorian woman and her “Mother’s Day Proclamation for Peace” on my radar.
Who was Julia Ward Howe? A mother, writer, and advocate. She was super famous for other reasons, but she wrote a brilliant, bold, beautifully-written manifesto for women—and humanity. Her call to gather, her plea for PEACE needs to be famous now and remembered. And heeded! Giant shout to my friend Julie Ann who put this powerhouse on my radar on Mother’s Day last year!
Billy Ruffian is partner and illustrator on this! She is a dream collaborator yet again! Billy is an extremely talented artist with a passion for history and its figures, so she’s the perfect person to dive into Howe’s time period and connect it to our own. Billy gorgeously honors Howe as a beacon while highlighting connections between her rousing cry for peace and other movements, other times, other countries, other women. Please follow Billy on IG.
Our book is for adults! (All-ages?) And we’re looking for a publisher now.
picture book class at Writer’s Digest University starts in May!
You’re invited! My third 6-video series, self-paced class at Writer’s Digest University all about picture books! There are videos, homework with feedback, interactive office hours, + I offer a general critique to every student on their PB manuscript at the close.
Writing and Revising Your Picture Book: From Concept to Polished Project
Starts May 15! Info here!
This online course gives writers or illustrators (or both) vital tools to write, revise, understand the “why,” “how,” and “what” of your story and develop a plan for next steps. As a picture book teacher, editor, and one-on-one coach/mentor, my approach has been described as: “energizing, encouraging, productive, straightforward, fun, and confidence-building.” Please sign up if this interests you!
Here’s what former student Svapna Sabnis had to say (thank you, Svapna!):
"I absolutely loved this class. Danielle is an encouraging and supporting teacher. I felt challenged but never overwhelmed. Every session was comprehensive and thought provoking. I was inspired to rewrite my manuscript four times and I feel like the final product is just what I needed it to be. One of the sessions helped me assess my process as a writer and was invaluable. I highly recommend this course..Thank you so much.”
—Svapna Sabnis
bountiful school visit recap
Find out about my author visits (in-person or virtual).
And the principal, Dr. Michael Hoon, had this to say:
“Our TK-6th grade students thoroughly loved author Danielle Davis! She shared her amazing journey as an author, actively involved our students while sharing her book TO MAKE and then provided fun creativity sessions tailored to the various ages of our students. This author is highly recommended!"
Thank you for spending this time with me and for reading! I hope it served you as moments well spent. And please do tell a friend, leave a comment, or stay tuned for the next PSA from Danielle Davis.