Interview with the amazing #kidlit author, Linda Elovitz Marshall

Carol Gordon Ekster: Linda and I first connected at Jane Yolen’s Picture book boot camp about ten years ago, but have continued to cross paths across the world of children’s publishing. It was about two years ago that her picture book biography, BRAVE VOLODYMYR: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine, illustrated by Grasya Oliyko and published by HarperCollins came out. Since this is such a timely topic, I wanted to highlight it here at Writers’ Rumpus.

Linda, tell us how what inspired you to write this picture book.

Linda Marshall: What a delight that we continue to be in touch after so many years! And thank you so much for inviting me to the Writers’ Rumpus!

Two major things inspired me to write BRAVE VOLODYMYR: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine. First, while researching family history, I learned that part of my father’s family had lived in a place called Zolochiv, which is in what is now Ukraine. Then I discovered that Naftali Herz Imber, who wrote the poem that became the song Hatikvah, was also from Zolochiv. I wanted to learn more and more about Zolochiv. I began a deep dive into its history, topography, and Jewish community. From my desk, I immersed myself in all-things-Zolochiv.

I was deep into that immersion in February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. Another Russian invasion? Oh, no! I was suddenly thrown back to 1969, a time when I was in what-was-then Czechoslovakia. On August 21, 1969, I stood by a street in downtown Prague when Soviet tanks – with armed soldiers –  rumbled down the street in front of me. It was terrifying. I was with a group of friends, all of whom were from Europe, all of whom were also terrified. None of us understood enough of the Czech language to understand what people with bullhorns were saying. One friend – a medical student from Italy – took photos. He was arrested. Hauled away by the police.

My other friends left. Fast. They went to the train station for trains to their homes in Europe. That was not a possibility for me. I called a Czech acquaintance. He met me…and took me to his mother’s home, where they fed and sheltered me until it was safe to leave.

            I will never forget their kindness.

            And I will never forget my fear.

That fear came storming back to me in 2022 when I was deep in research about Zolochiv and Russia invaded Ukraine, the home of my ancestors. I had to do something. To write. I had to share the story, the terror, and the importance of freedom. I had to share the importance of freedom to speak. Freedom to live. To take pictures. To speak one’s mind. I had to stress the importance of NOT having tanks roll down city streets. Of NOT having armed soldiers in city streets.

I contacted someone I knew, an expert in Russian and Ukrainian affairs. Toby Trister Gati, Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton for Russia, Ukraine, and the Eurasian States at the National Security Council, who worked in the U.S. State Department for several years and was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations was an invaluable help. I am deeply indebted to her for helping make BRAVE VOLODYMYR: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine a reality and for helping to bring this story to American audiences.

CGE: The book got great reviews. Do good reviews translate to high sales numbers?

LM: Do good reviews translate directly into higher sales numbers?  Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is that BRAVE VOLODYMYR: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine is an important book. It’s about history that’s happening now – in our lifetimes – and it needs to be told and told honestly.

For many years, the United States fought Russia and the USSR in what was called “the Cold War.” At that time, the USSR (which had its headquarters in Moscow, Russia) controlled much of eastern Europe. Then, in 1991, Ukraine at last regained its independence.

But in 2022, things changed. Russia invaded Ukraine. The Ukrainian people, under the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelensky, have been fighting back.

But if they don’t….or if they don’t win, then what will happen to the rest of eastern Europe? To Poland? Or to Lithuania? Or to the United States?

CGE: What has been the reaction of the book when reading it to children?

LM: Bold, bright kid-friendly illustrations were done by Ukrainian artist Grasya Oliyko, who did an amazing job showing what it was like for Volodymyr Zelensky to grow up during Soviet times.  She put a lot of heart into the illustrations…and, I think, they really reach kids.

Also, BRAVE VOLODYMYR: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine has the following refrain:

                        Freedom is a fragile thing.

                        It needs to be cherished.

                        It needs to be protected.

                        And freedom depends on truth.

Kids love that refrain. Kids know what freedom is. They know when they can’t say what they feel, when the rules feel arbitrary, when they’re being lied to or being bullied.  We all know what it feels like to be bullied. And children are fascinated by the story of Volodymyr Zelensky – how, as a child, he hated being lied to. And how, as an adult, he used humor to point out problems. And to stop bullies in their tracks!

What may be new to kids is the history. Also what may be new to them is that there are lots of ways to be strong. BRAVE VOLODYMYR: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine shows some of those ways.

CGE: You have had more than 24 books published. Tell us your secret! And why so many biographies?

LM: I write and write and write. I keep an idea file. Sometimes, I add three or four or eleven ideas in a day. Sometimes, I don’t add a single one. Some days are like that. Stephen King said that when he’s inspired, he writes. When he’s not inspired, he reads. Such good advice!

Also, I also love revising. It’s my favorite part of this job. Tell me what to do, give me a direction, and I’ll follow it…I like  to see where it goes and where it takes me.

Biographies are fun and interesting. Science is fun and interesting, too. And for me, one great thing about non-fiction is that I get to do research. I adore research! I also love reaching out to strangers who are experts in the field to ask their advice. What a great way to make new friends!

CGE: The publishing business can be disheartening at times. What do you do to keep your spirits up?

LM: You’ve got that right! I have two different critique groups that keep me on my toes – and keep me producing. I have many other writing friends, too. I don’t know what I would do without my writing buddies. They are all – (you included, Carol) – important to me. 

CGE: Awww! Thanks, Linda!

LM: I attend writing retreats and workshops. Most importantly, I write and write and write.

 Also, I feel very lucky. I get to visit schools, make new friends, go places I wouldn’t have gone otherwise. For example, I was invited to South Dakota for the South Dakota Festival of Books. Such fun! And while I was there, I found a story that’s now making its way into a book!

CGE: How do you balance life and writing?

I give preference to my family, but I also take time for myself and my writing. If I don’t write, I sometimes get grumpy. I need to exercise, too. Because if I don’t exercise, I also get grumpy. I also need ice cream. And an occasional piece of chocolate.

CGE: Do you have a favorite book that you’ve written?

LM: Nope, sorry. I love each of my books for different reasons.

CGE: What’s on the horizon for Linda Elovitz Marshall?

 LM: For 2026, I have three new books coming out:

 TALIA AND THE PASSOVER HUG-GADAH with illustrations by Francesca Assirelli (KarBen/Lerner) will come out in January. This will be the fourth in a series of TALIA books, about a kind and funny little girl who is learning about Jewish traditions and foods and misunderstands some of what she hears.

 ELLA JENKINS: LISTEN AND RESPOND, co-written with Rita Abdul-Kareem and illustrated by Violeta Encarnación (Simon and Schuster), a picture book biographer about Ella Jenkins, the “first lady of Children’s Folk Song,” in September.

KYLIE AND THE VERY, VERY, VERY OLD PREHISTORIC CAT, illustrated by Jeanne Bowman  (South Dakota Historical Society Press), a true story about an extremely observant young girl (Kylie) who makes a phenomenal discovery at the Badlands National Park in South Dakota.           

Also in 2026, THE PASSOVER LAMB will be reissued by PJ Library and RAINBOW WEAVER/TEJEDORA DEL ACROIRIS (Lee and Low) will also be a McGraw-Hill Big Book. 

CGE: Linda, you’re an inspiration!

If you’d like, you can connect with Linda here:

 www.lindamarshall.com
@LindaEMarshal
FB: LindaMarshallBooks
@lindaemarshall.bsky.social