Saliman and the Memory Stone

Named a Best Jewish Children’s Book of 2024 by Tablet Magazine

"A worthwhile choice for family reading time and all children's book collections."—Association of Jewish Libraries

"Simple and melodic . . . bright and beautiful"—Historical Novel Society

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.

Saliman and the Memory Stone is a fictionalization of the real emigration of hundreds of Yemeni Jews to Jerusalem. Saliman might be leaving home, but he will always have his memories of Yemen. And even when they are without, he is reminded that he has everything he needs in his heart and in his community.

Erica Lyons is a children’s book author focusing on picture books through young adult novels with a preference for historical fiction. Her first picture book, Alone Together on Dan Street, was a National Jewish Book Award finalist. She is an active member of the Hong Kong’s Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is the chair of the Hong Kong Jewish Historical Society, the Hong Kong Delegate to World Jewish Congress, and the founder and director of PJ Library Hong Kong. In addition to writing, she has been a speaker for a number of forums that included: TEDx Victoria Harbour (Hong Kong), the SEFER International Conference for Judaic Studies (Moscow), Limmud China (Shanghai), and the 16th World Jewish Congress Plenary. She is the mother of five children and lives in Hong Kong.

Yinon Ptahia worked as a teacher for 8 years in elementary school and then decided to be a full-time illustrator. A member of SCBWI he learned from top Israeli illustrators like Liora Grossman and Menahem Halberstadt. He has illustrated over 20 children books. He lives with his wife Ayelet and 4 kids in Ma'on, Israel.