I’m pleased to report on the publication of a new book, Before You Were Born, illustrated by my friend and neighbor, Kris Swarner. The book is a retelling (by Howard Schwartz) of a Jewish folktale about the wisdom imparted to souls in the time before they are born into this world.

The website “Embracing the Child” has run an interview with Kris. I’m probably biased since we’ve come to be good friends with Kris and her family, but I think this is a really beautiful book, and it’s well worth seeking out.

(To be honest, I’ve liked Kris’ work since before we met. A few years ago, I came across a box of notecards that she had illustrated and I thought they were beautiful. I knew that there was a “K. Swarner” living in my building, and I had a hunch that she was somehow connected to the cards, but it wasn’t until a month or so later that we had the chance to meet and confirm that she was in fact the artist.)