Saliman and the Memory Stone by Erica Lyons Illustrated by Yinon Ptahia Apples & Honey Press, May 8, 2024 When young Saliman’s family left Yemen in 1881 to move to Jerusalem there were so many things they could not take along. Promising to remember it all, even the names of each their goats and the color of their fur, he clutched his memory stone, a piece of his house that he kept in his pocket, as a way to keep Yemen in his heart. On sale now on Amazon, B&N, and other online sellers! “I worry that, as Jewish writers, our voices will be silenced, but there’s a child out there who needs that story, and maybe reading it now is even more important for them than before,” she says. “I keep thinking about that child, waiting for that particular story – and that’s all that matters.” Tablet Magazine’s Best Jewish Children’s Books of 2024 And in Saliman and the Memory Stone by Erica Lyons, we learn about an earlier migration of Yemeni Jews in the 1880s. Illustrated by Yinon Ptahia in an appropriately more subdued palette of mostly reds and browns, the colors echo Yemen’s red mountains and deserts. In The Jewish Chronicle Saliman and the Memory Stone by Erica Lyons, illus. by Yinon Ptahia (Behrman/Apples & Honey, $18.95, May, ISBN 978-1-68115-631-6). Ages 4–8. Inspired by a true story, this book tells of a Jewish boy who leaves Yemen for Jerusalem in 1881, carrying a stone from his house to remind him of his homeland. Publishers Weekly: 2024 Children’s Books for Jewish American Heritage Month “Lyon’s language is lyrical, capturing both the difficulty of the journey and a palpable sense of a loving family and tight-knit community…” The Sydney Taylor Schmooze: Review of Saliman and the Memory Stone Download FREE Saliman worksheets!

Lily’s Hong Kong Honey Cake

by Erica Lyons
Illustrated by Bonnie Pang
Apples & Honey Press/ Behrman House
September 2, 2025

Based on the history of Jewish refugees in Asia and spanning multiple years during World War II, this picture book shows how some creativity, adaptability, and a lot of love can make the new year sweet no matter where you are.

Lily’s family ran a pastry shop in Vienna. Every Rosh Hashanah, they baked honey cakes for their customers. But when war comes, they must leave everything behind. They first travel to Shanghai, where they are able to open a new bakery. Each year, Lily learned more about baking. She helped to mix and pour the batter, measure the ingredients, and passed out the wrapped up treats. But each year, there are changes. When the flour runs out, they have to use rice instead. There were fewer customers, and the newspaper wrappings were showing bad news.

Soon, Lily’s family has to move again, to Hong Kong. With rations there was even less than usual. There would be no honey cake this year. But Lily had been watching how her parents had made do in the years before, and she had some ideas of her own. Because despite all the changes, everyone deserves to have a sweet new year.

School Library Journal – Starred Review

“Themes of displacement, cultural integration, and the power of tradition are seamlessly woven throughout this moving, accessible narrative, offering young readers a gentle entry point into refugee experiences.”

VERDICT A first purchase for libraries building collections around Jewish history, refugee experiences, and stories of resilience for young readers.

Association of Jewish Libraries

A Holiday Highlight Title for the best Jewish holiday children’s books of Fall 2025.

“The message of “home is where the honey cake is” feels especially apt with so much upheaval in the world.”

Historical Novel Society

“The language and content are repetitive in word or concept—cleverly done, showing that even when things change, some things remain the same… An enjoyable, inspiring story.”

Abby Lester, Director of the Global Archives of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

“Lily’s Hong Kong Honey Cake is a captivating tale weaving together resilience, community, and the power of tradition. It offers young readers a valuable lesson in Jewish history that should never be forgotten.”

Fanny Lu, Executive Director of The Hong Kong Heritage Project

“Set amidst the lesser-known history of Jewish refugees’ experiences in Shanghai and Hong Kong during and after the Second World War, Lily’s Hong Kong Honey Cake is a sweet illustration of Jewish tradition, community spirit and human resilience during difficult times, gently inspiring hope and strength. A cozy and heartwarming read.”

On sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold.

Festival of Lights

by Erica Lyons and Reenita M. Hora
Illustrated by Kamala Nair

Quill Tree/ HarperCollins

Fall 2026

Yingcheng’s Two Hats

by Erica Lyons
Illustrated by Sally Deng

Levine Querido

Spring 2027