The first LGBT-inclusive Jewish Children’s Book in English

and

Winner of Keshet’s National Book-writing contest!

About the Book

Nate has a Purim dilemma. He loves aliens and really wants to wear an alien costume for Purim, but his friends are all dressing as superheroes and he wants to fit in. What will he do? With the help of his two dads he makes a surprising decision.

Published by Kar-Ben Publishing, an award-winning publisher of Jewish children's books,the manuscript is the winner of Keshet's national book-writing contest. We're so proud to have played such a key role in the publication of  this book. Watch the book trailer»

Buy the book or donate a copy»

Celebrate the Release!

Be part of history and host a party to celebrate this milestone or join an existing party! We've created a bunch of materials to help you throw a fabulous party.

Host your own party!

The Purim Superhero parties are happening across the country

(Parties will be added as they are scheduled. Details to come for events not in bold. ):

2/2: Miami at Next@19th
2/2: San Francisco at Sha'ar Zahav (with author Elisabeth Kushner!)
2/3: Berkeley, CA at Afikomen Judaica (with author Elisabeth Kushner!)
2/3: Philadelphia, PA at the Big Blue Marble Bookstore
2/9: Seattle, WA at Congregation Beth Shalom
2/10: Seattle, WA at Temple Beth Am
2/17: Beacon, NY at Beacon Hebrew Alliance
2/17: Denver, CO at the Mizel Museum
2/17: Vancouver, Canada (with author Elisabeth Kushner!)
2/21: NYC, Bronx (private party)
2/23: Portland, OR (private party)
2/24: Atlanta, GA at the Marcus Jewish Community Center
2/24: Boston, MA at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC
2/24: Hartford, CT at the Mandel JCC
2/24: San Diego, CA at Temple Solel
3/22: Elmira, NY at Congregation Kol Ami
4/2: Long Island, NY with the Aleph Project of the LI GLBT Center

Story Overview

Nate loves everything about aliens. He loves to draw aliens, he loves to read about aliens, and loves to think about aliens. So when it comes time to choose a costume for Purim, Nate naturally knew what he was going to be; that is until his friends at Hebrew school told him that all the boys would be dressing up as superheroes.

Worried about being different from his classmates, Nate seeks advice from his two dads, who suggest that being different can sometimes be a good thing. The reader might expect Nate's dads to use their own family as an example. Instead, they point Nate to the lesson of Purim which celebrates Queen Esther, a girl whose courage to be true to herself ends up saving her people.

Young readers may be surprised what Nate learns from this lesson and what costume he finally chooses.

For ages 4-9, Grades: Pre K-3, 32 pages

About the Author and Illustrator

Elisabeth Kushner, author

I’m very excited that this is a picture book about a kid with same-sex parents where his family structure is not the problem, but is still an important part of the story. I think that kids like my daughter and her friends, and like many of the kids I knew at the Jewish Day School, who’ve been lucky enough to grow up in inclusive and accepting communities, will recognize children like themselves and their friends in this story. And I hope that kids with any kind of family and any religious background who feel weird and self-conscious because they like different things than their friends or classmates—and I think that’s all kids, at some point—will find inspiration and sustenance in Nate’s story.

Elisabeth Kushner

Elisabeth lives in Vancouver, Canada, with her family and a jumble of books and musical instruments. She spent nine years as the librarian at the Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle so she knows a thing or two about children’s books! If she were a superhero, she'd be Orange Ukulele Girl. Her favorite kind of hamentaschen is poppyseed. This is her first children’s book.

Read an interview with the author on Keshet’s blog

Read an interview with the author on Kar-Ben Publishing’s blog

See what the press is saying about this groundbreaking book

Mike Byrne

Mike grew up near Liverpool in the United Kingdom, moving to London to work as an illustrator by day and a crayon wielding crime fighter by night. He lives in the English countryside with his wife and two cats, where he spends his days doodling and creating children's books.

This project was made possible by the generous support of:

• Jane Fantel and Laura Galinson
• John and Beth Gamel
• Harold Grinspoon and Diane Troderman
• Jeff Grinspoon and Jon Foley

National Co-sponsors: