Lesléa Newman

Lesléa Newman is the author of over 80 books for children and adults. She has received many awards, including two Stonewall Book Awards honors, the National Jewish Book Award (Gittel’s Journey), fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Massachusetts Book Award, a Sydney Taylor Book Award and Honor, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, and the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, among many others. Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists. She is also a popular guest lecturer at college campuses across the country, and currently she is a faculty mentor at Spalding University’s School of Creative and Professional Writing.

Lesléa Newman's Titles

Like Father, Like Son A Picture Book

Like Father, Like Son

This joyful picture book highlights the best lesson a father can teach his son: how to show love and kindness. For fathers and sons everywhere,...


Always Matt A Tribute to Matthew Shepard

Always Matt

A poignant tribute to the life of Matthew Shepard and his legacy in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, honoring the formation of the Matthew Shepard...


Fairest in the Land A Picture Book

The Fairest in the Land

Fairest in the Land is a heartwarming, inclusive picture-book story about self-expression and friendship, from Stonewall Honor–winning author...


Here Is the World: A Year of Jewish Holidays A Picture Book

Here Is the World: A Year of Jewish Holidays

Lesléa Newman's picture book Here Is the World is a joyous celebration of the Jewish holidays throughout the year for young children that's...


Gittel's Journey An Ellis Island Story

Gittel's Journey

Gittel's Journey: An Ellis Island Story is an award-winning picture book from author Lesléa Newman and illustrator Amy Bates. Gittel and her...


Sweet Passover

A Sweet Passover

In this charming and humorous story, Miriam discoverswith the help of her family and a little matzah breadthe true meaning and importance of...


Miss Tutu's Star

Miss Tutu's Star

Selena is a little girl "who does not walk so much as twirl." When her mother takes her to Miss Tutu's school of ballet, Selena has a bit of...


Just Like Mama

Just Like Mama

Just Like Mama is a beautiful testament to the love between mother and daughter, and especially how, in a child’s eyes, a mother does everything...