Dan Saks

Daniel Adam Vitale Saks (born November 27, 1978) is an American author, musician, and podcaster. He is the creator of the children's music podcast Noodle Loaf and the author of children's picture and board books published by Penguin Random House.

Career

Music

Early in his musical career, Saks performed under the pseudonym "Shank Bone Mystic" as a member of the hip hop/indie rock group Little-T and One Track Mike.

Saks later formed and fronted DeLeon, an indie rock band that performed modern adaptations of traditional Sephardic folk music sung in Ladino, Hebrew, and English. The group released its self-titled debut album on JDub Records in 2008.

Saks also joined the Hanukkah-themed rock band The LeeVees. In December 2023, the group performed on NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts series.[dead link]

Children's media and writing

In 2018, Saks created Noodle Loaf, an interactive children's music podcast. The show earned a Common Sense Media Selection seal, was named an official Honoree in the Family & Kids category at the 2020 Webby Awards, and was featured by The New York Times as a recommended children's music podcast.School Library Journal has also highlighted the show and its adaptation into children's literature.

Saks has authored several children's books published by RISE x Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House. His board book series includes Families Belong (2020), Families Can (2021), Families Grow (2021), We Share This School (2023), and We Share This Neighborhood (2024), all illustrated by Brooke Smart. He has discussed his work on literary programs and podcasts, including Kansas Public Radio's The Kids' Bookshelf and Resolve New England Magazine.

In June 2026, Saks published his debut picture book, On Our Bikes, illustrated by João Fazenda. The book received positive coverage from BK Reader, which highlighted its connection to Brooklyn bike culture and his[whose?] musical compositions.

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ Date information sourced from Library of Congress Authorities data, via corresponding Library of Congress Linked Data Service: linked authority record n2019071811. Retrieved on August 11, 2026.
  2. ↑ Birchmeier, Jason. "Fome Is Dape Review". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  3. ↑ Klein, Amy (July 12, 2009). "New generation seeks to reclaim Sephardic cultural roots". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  4. ↑ Horowitz, Steve (December 9, 2008). "DeLeon: DeLeon". PopMatters. Archived from the original on August 8, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "The LeeVees Tiny Desk Concert". NPR Music. December 19, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. 1 2 Graeber, Laurel (February 6, 2021). "Music Podcasts for Kids". The New York Times. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  7. ↑ Baron-Moore, Diana. "Noodle Loaf Podcast Review". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on April 16, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Noodle Loaf – Webby Awards 2020 Honoree". The Webby Awards. Archived from the original on August 8, 2026. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  9. ↑ Owens, Phoebe; Wilkinson, Ali (April 12, 2022). "From Pod to the Page: Kidcasts Branch Out to Books". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on November 15, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Seven Fun-Filled Podcasts to Beat the Summer Slide". School Library Journal. July 24, 2022. Archived from the original on December 11, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Families Belong". Kirkus Reviews. November 26, 2020. Archived from the original on August 9, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Families Grow". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on January 22, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Families Can". Kirkus Reviews. June 28, 2021. Archived from the original on March 8, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Families Grow". Kirkus Reviews. October 26, 2021. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  15. ↑ "We Share This School". Kirkus Reviews. April 24, 2023. Archived from the original on August 8, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  16. ↑ ""We Share This Earth" - A Board Book About How We Are All Connected". Kansas Public Radio. July 22, 2024. Archived from the original on August 9, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Where Do Books Com From? A conversation with Dan Saks". Resolve New England Magazine. Archived from the original on August 10, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  18. ↑ "On Our Bikes". Kirkus Reviews. March 23, 2026. Archived from the original on August 9, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  19. ↑ "On Our Bikes". School Library Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  20. ↑ Suhr, Emily (July 1, 2026). "This New Book Captures The Joy of Biking in Brooklyn". BK Reader. Archived from the original on August 9, 2026. Retrieved August 10, 2026.