The Suitcase

Written and Illustrated by: Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

Dear Parents,

When the curious animals discover what is inside the strange animal's suitcase, their suspicion of him is replaced by compassion. They understand the importance of the home and memories he had left behind, and welcome him with an act of empathy and acceptance.

"Bring us speedily together from the four corners of the earth into our land" (in the Weekday Amidah prayer)

For many generations, the Jewish People prayed for their return to Eretz Israel, and the establishment of their own independent state. They traveled from one country to another, and had to find new ways of fitting into the societies that lived there. Many Jewish families have come to Israel from another country, and much like the strange animal in the story, brought with them memories of their past, as well as hopes to integrate into this new land.

Enjoy reading and discussing this book together!

Proposed Family Activities:

• You may want to act out the story using puppets, and invite each character to explain how they ended up being friends.

• There are two illustrations of the house in the final pages of the book. You may want to ask your child if they can spot the difference between them. What’s been added to the second illustration?

• Is there a teacup, piece of furniture, or photograph that's been in your family for a long time? Perhaps there is an interesting story associated with this item. If so, you may enjoy sharing it with your child.

• Your child may like to draw your home and loved ones. Together, you can make a frame for their drawing, and hang it up on the wall.

• Have new neighbors come to your neighborhood recently? Perhaps you know new Olim who have arrived in Israel not too long ago? You may want to make a greeting card for them in the spirit of this book, and print the word "welcome!" on it.

• Where does your family originate from? Perhaps you could open an atlas, and show your child the journey made by your family on their way to Israel. You may want to tell your child about your own childhood home, and show them photographs of homes in which you have lived over the years.