Yael Mermelstein

Q&A with the Author

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Where did you get the idea for Izzy the Whiz and Passover McClean?
The Idea for Izzy the Whiz came to me on a Shabbat afternoon just after I woke up from my post-
cholent nap. I imagined a boy inventor who came up with the most wondrous machine – one that would
clean the house for Passover. The character was much stronger than the plot at first. I could picture him
tinkering in his room with all of his gadgets and gizmos. My kids actually liked the idea. It took another
year until I actually started writing it.

How long did it take you to write Izzy the Whiz and Passover McClean?
I wrote the first draft over the course of a few days. That draft went through many of my own revisions.
Then my editors asked me to chop off about twenty five percent of the length, which is kind of like
hacking off your own fingers. After that, the story still went through many revisions with my editors.

What was it like finding a publisher for Izzy the Whiz and Passover McClean?
I sent a rough outline of Izzy the Whiz and Passover McClean to my critique partner and she wasn’t too
keen on it. I tucked it away for a while and then brought it with me to a writing conference in NY where
a seasoned editor was offering private critiques. I paid for my private meeting and I showed this editor
my rough draft.
“Nah,” she said. “Don’t even bother with that one.”
Yeah. She loved it.
I didn’t do anything with the manuscript for another two years. One day, my mother was visiting and I
happened upon the old file on my computer.
“You know,” I told my mother. “I have this old manuscript sitting here…”
“Give me a look,” she said.
I did. She loved it. Why not, I figured. After all, if your mother loves it, it must be good, right?
I sent it off to the wonderful Judye Groner at Kar-Ben Publishers and within a couple of days I got a
response.
“I showed it to my partner,” Judye said. “And she loved it! She’s really particular about what she loves.
It’s entertaining, educational and humorous, a great combination. We need to have an official meeting
but this is a great first step.”
It took a good few weeks until it was officially accepted and then a good few years until it actually saw
the light of day. But Izzy the Whiz received great reviews and went on to become a PJ library selection
which was distributed all over the United States.
I’m glad I didn’t listen to all the naysayers; I’m just sorry that it took so long for me to get there.

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An interesting tidbit about Izzy the Whiz and Passover McClean:
This was the first book that I published with a company that does not exclusively publish orthodox
Jewish material. Kar-Ben accepts books with Jewish content and universal appeal. While I found my
editors respectful, I was a bit concerned about how my characters would look. I dress very modestly
according to Jewish Law and my sons wear yarmulkes, skullcaps at all times. Of course I didn’t expect
that the illustrations would reflect that but I hoped it would be something I could live with. In any event
I wasn’t going to say anything to my editors – it was my choice to publish with Kar-Ben knowing full well
who they are. I remember when Judye called me up and said “So….the mother is going to be wearing
long skirts and long-sleeves and Izzy will always be wearing either a yarmulke or a cap. I’m sorry but the
mother won’t be wearing a head covering, is that okay?” I was touched that Kar-Ben was so
accommodating to my sensitivities.

What is the comment you receive most often about Izzy the Whiz and Passover McClean?
Mothers constantly ask me where they can pick up a machine like Passover McClean to help them to
clean for Pesach (Passover). If I had one, I’d probably keep it for myself.