Deli Days

At Zeyde's Deli, Sundays mean helping Grandpa serve the neighborhood's best pastrami on rye.

One moment you're carrying a tray of the deli's famous sandwiches. The next, you're standing in a sea of broken cookies and scattered sprinkles while the lunch rush stares. But right there in the chaos, a grandchild learns what family tradition really means--and that sometimes the best memories come from our biggest messes. A warm, funny story about growing up one matzo ball at a time.

Perfect for:

• Families: Looking for a heartwarming story about intergenerational bonds, cultural heritage, and the joy of shared meals.
• Educators: Seeking an engaging way to introduce themes of tradition, resilience, and the historical significance of community spaces like delis.
• Young Readers: Who love stories about food, family, and discovering their place in a cherished tradition.

Deli Days is a celebration of tradition, resilience, delicious food and even better company.

Jenna Rothberg is a writer, reader, and educator. She deeply believes in compassion, humor, and curiosity -- and that picture books have the ability to inspire all three. She lives in Los Angeles, California with her family and their chihuahua named Biggie. Deli Days is her debut picture book, and she is thrilled to share it with you.

Marta Pantaleo was born in Rome, where she lives and works. After studying graphic design and photography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome and illustration at MiMaster in Milan, she won the Carthusia Silent Book Contest in 2016 with her first picture book Ciao ciao giocattoli (Bye Bye Toys). Since then, she's been working as a freelance illustrator for children's books, magazines, and newspapers. Her work has been selected and exhibited in the Nami International Illustration Concours (South Korea), Society of Illustrators New York, the Shanghai International Children's Book Fair, and the Bologna Children's Book Fair exhibition Italian Excellence.