Just like in this book, families encounter situations in which it’s important to be considerate to others in order to have a positive family experience. You can discuss and ask: In your opinion, why was it important for the hamster to have everyone join in? How do you feel when someone is considerate of you? Which situations in your home require you or others to be considerate of others?
At the end of this book, the group enjoys reading together in a makeshift tent. You can also make a tent using various items, cushions and blankets, and read the story together. You can also have some fun, and read in unusual places around the house – how about in the corner, by the plants? Or under the dining-room table?
Each time the members of the group sit on the couch differently: First the cat lies on the cushion, then it hugs it, and another time, it jumps over the zebra. You can follow the illustrations, inviting a family member, toy, or pet to try and sit together on a single couch – who will sit in the middle?
Place several small items on the table, and look at them carefully. While one player has his/her eyes closed, the other arranges the items however s/he wants, hiding the middle item under a cup, and asks: Who or what is in the middle? You can make this game even more challenging by adding more item or giving players less time to look at the items on the table and memorize them.
After reading this book, you should discuss how the characters felt and coped with the situations in the story. You can discuss how you were inspired by them. Children identify with the characters, will be exposed to different perspectives, and will learn from them about emotions and behaviors that are familiar to them from their own lives.
After reading the story, you can discuss, share, and ask: How do we feel when we wait in line? Have we ever felt that our turn was more urgent than the others’? In your opinion, how did Dog feel when the others were considerate toward him? How did Monkey and the others who were waiting in line feel after giving up their turn? Try to recall an incident together in which you were considerate toward others, or others were considerate toward you.
Monkey, Giraffe, Elephant, and Alligator try to establish a principle that would determine the order among those waiting in line. They can inspire you to play an amusing game with your whole family, during which you can form a line while following a different order each time. For instance, you can stand according to your age from youngest to oldest, or by the color of your shirts from the lightest to the darkest, or by how much you love ice cream. You can come up with different, amusing characteristics together and find out who is next in line this time?
How does Monkey end up passing the time while waiting in line? He chats with those who are waiting alongside him, coming up with ideas on how to determine the order, and meeting new friends. You can also think together and raise ideas that would help you pass the time while you are waiting for something. You can come up with a funny song to sing while you wait, or a game involving moving your fingers, or even prepare aids that will help you pass the time – a storybook, coloring book, puzzle, or squishy ball, or any other amusing idea with which you can come up.
Illustrations are an integral part of books, completing details that are not always found in the text itself. For instance, the building blocks Taylor uses only appear in the illustrations. Did you discover any other details through the illustrations? Sometimes, it’s worth trying to read a story “over again” using the illustrations and seeing what else we can discover about.
Sometimes, things we put a lot of time and effort into fall apart or fail. We can discuss that by asking – Has anything similar to what happened to Taylor ever happened to you? How did you feel? When you’re upset or frustrated – what helpscheer you up? Which of the animals in the book would you have called out to for help?
Listening exercises can help us sharpen our senses and notice new things: Try speaking to one another while sitting back-to-back, and then face-to-face. How did you feel each time? Another exercise is: Close your eyes for one minute, be completely silent and still, and try only to listen to the sounds around you. When the time is up, tell the others what you heard.
What does the ostrich look like when it buries its head in the sand? What does the elephant do with its trunk when it remembers? And what does the bear look like when it is angry? Try mimicking each of the animals in the book by copying its movements, sounds and suggested solutions.
This is a special book that delicately addresses coping with a friend’s complex physical or emotional state. We recommend that parents read this book before reading it together with their child in order to adjust the reading and discussion to the book’s unique content, and the child’s unique world.
David’s friend immediately notices when David’s behavior changes. You can discuss and share: Have you ever noticed when someone you have been close began to act differently? What did you do? What do you think about what Davd’s friend did?
Invite your child to make a colorful floral crown that would bring joy to your family. Suggest that your child cut out paper flowers and decorate them, and then write a kind word about each .family member
What comforts and cheers you up during difficult times? A kind word? A touching book? Perhaps a toy? You can make a box filled with “just in case” ideas: Items that cheer you up, encouraging messages, and kind words.
Does your child have a friend or family member who is coping with a complex physical or emotional condition? You can suggest that your child write that friend or relative a letter of encouragement. Use supportive words, such as: I’m here for you; you’re strong; we’re your friends; and we love you. You can add a drawing that will put a smile on their face too.
After reading, you should go back and spend time looking at the illustrations. Notice the small details that are not directly related to the text, and share your discoveries with one another.
At home, we also need to get along in the same “railroad car”. You can discuss and think together with your child: Which home situations require us to be considerate? Why is it important to speak up and discuss things that make us uncomfortable or that we find inconsiderate? How should we go about it?
The tortoise is slow, the owl is wise, and the rabbit is fast. You can go back to the book and check – what other animals appear in it? What are their special attributes and characteristics? Do they have the same characteristics in real life too?
You can dramatize this book – sit together on a “train” – parents can be the crocodile, taking up the entire railroad car, and children can be chicks. How will you go about asking the crocodile to make some room for you? Will you end up messing around and having some friendly fun together? Now, you can switch roles.
Many books written for toddlers have a recurring phrase that helps their target audience follow the story and join in the reading. The recurring phrase can be emphasized while reading using a special voice, body movement, or a change of reading pace. For example, when you read bo itanu (“come with us”), you can add an inviting hand gesture, or make the end of the phrase longer – veyesh etzlenu m-a-k-o-m (“and we have r-o-o-m”).
The girl in this book invites the children to join her under her umbrella and “hosts” them. You can ask the children whether they like to host at home, and who they would like to host.
Sometimes toddlers find it hard to share their games when they host others at their homes. You can discuss that and explain that, just as the umbrella in the book is still the girl’s umbrella, even when she allows others to take cover under it, so do their personal belongings remain theirs when sharing.
You can listen to the song as sung on Kan Kids’ children’s show Parpar Nechmad, and join in the singing as well as the dance movements.
Lyrics and music: Datia Ben Dor
Performing Artists: Ester Rada, Uri Banai, Meital Raz, Ami Weinberg.
How many family members can fit under a single umbrella? And how many can fit under a blanket? Or the dining-room table? This book can inspire you to find out how well you can all squeeze into various places in amusing and fun ways.
On a rainy day, you can pull on some boots, put on a coat, take an umbrella and go out for a walk in the rain! You can step into puddles and observe the special things that change around us when it’s raining – How many people are outside now? What do the skies look like? What happens when the rain falls on soil or the sidewalk? What kind of smell is in the air?
Books can help us cope with challenging situations: Toddlers identify with book characters and, as a result, learn about emotions, behaviors and challenges that exist both in books and in real life. In situations that are similar to those presented in the book, you can remind your toddlers of the book characters, and suggest that they be inspired by them and behave in a similar way: “Do you think we can maybe shift a little on the bench, and make room for our friends, just like the bears in the book did?”
You can discuss what is happening in the book with your toddlers – which problem did the bears encounter? Why didn’t the bear have anywhere to sit? What did the other bears do? You can also address the feelings that emerge from the book: How did the bear feel when he had nowhere to sit? Was he happy, sad, or perhaps surprised or confused?
You can learn, play, and have fun using the illustrations. You can look for a different detail in them every time – can you spot the pink bear? Where’s the spotted bear? Where is the big bear and where is the little bear?
You can swap roles, and let your toddlers beckon you to search for details in the illustrations.
You can turn the pages of this book and pause at a different page each time to look at the bears and try to copy their movement, sitting posture, and facial expressions so that yours are exactly like the ones depicted in the illustration.
Reading a book together can evoke thoughts, feelings and emotions in children: Like the young bird, they can feel small and fragile; like Efrat, they can feel misunderstood, or determined to go on doing what they believe is right. We recommend sitting close together, and accompanying the reading with a soothing stroke: Touch brings parents and children closer together, and strengthens children’s faith that they have someone who supports them, and is attentive to the feelings that the book evokes in them.
Little Peanut is getting bigger, and Efrat, who is discovering independence and responsibility, is getting bigger too. You can discuss and ask your children what makes them bigger and more responsible than they were before – are they taking care of a pet, for example? Doing things on their own? Helping their friends and around the house? We recommend always reminding children about the areas in which you, as parents, see that they have made progress and grown. Doing so makes children feel good, and bolsters their self-confidence.
You can also help the animals in your surroundings: You can make a feeding station for birds containing crumbs; place a water bowl for cats; make a sign protecting an anthill, or think of your own ways of helping the animals in your surroundings.
The illustrations in this book depict various animals – some are stuffed, drawn or playthings, some are real, while others appear in the children’s thoughts. Can you find them?
Do you like to move? Look at the page on which Little Peanut learns how to fly, and try to move along with the story: You can grow wings, hop, skip, or even try to pretend to fly.
This book was inspired by the well-known children’s song The Little Bunny [HaShafan HaKatan] by Binyamin Caspi. You may want to ask your child which children’s song this story reminds them of, and then sing and dance together.
Do you have any other favorite children’s songs? You could create a family songbook, and select one to sing together from time to time. You too may be inspired to write a story about it.
Reading both words and illustrations – You may enjoy taking turns reading this book to one another: you can read the words to your child, and then have them tell you the story using the illustrations.
Our table – draw an empty table and choose who to invite over: it can be family and friends, real or imaginary, favorite toys, or characters in books. What would you serve your guests? What do you think would happen when they all meet one another?
Having a friend visit us is exciting. You may want to prepare for the visit together and discuss how to welcome this friend, how to pass the time together when they get here, and what to do if each of you prefers to do something else.
The bunny’s friends thank him, and he uses kind words when speaking to them, like “please”, “so glad you came over”, and “bon appetit!”. When you sit together for a family meal, you could take turns saying kind words to each other: the first begins by giving the one on their right a compliment; the second compliments the third, and so on. The compliment can be about something nice they had done, a good quality they have, having behaved pleasantly, or any other positive thing you can think of. If you look for it, you’ll be sure to find it…
What is your responsibility, as parents and children, for your friends, family, and environment? Which roles do you play within the family, and which additional roles would you like to assume responsibility for in order to help others and your surroundings? Perhaps you could discuss and make suggestions that would help your family in their day-to-day, such as: sweeping the porch; checking in with a sick friend; recycling bottles, paper, and bio-degradable materials; set the table for dinner, or tightly close leaking faucets.
Cut out some paper leaves. Each family member gets some leaves, and writes suggestions for actions that would be considerate of other members of the family, such as: leaving enough warm water for others to shower; feeding your pet hamsters, or saying ‘good morning’ with a smile. Make your tree in painting form or some other artform using recycled materials or tree branches you have collected, and attach all the leaves to it.
You could try to put your ideas to practice. How about deciding to try out one suggestion each day? And if it doesn’t go too well for you, don’t worry, tomorrow is another day…
Suggestions and examples can be found on the PJLibrary Pinterest page – The Juice Tree.
The villagers must cooperate for the tree to grow more leaves. Games are a delightful way of working together as a family: cut out a paper leaf, and stand in a row. Ready? Here we go!
Pass the leaf round from one player to the next without touching it with your hands. If any of you struggle, help by giving them advice and cheering them on. By way of celebrating when the game is over, enjoy your favorite beverage.
Raise your glass to your cooperation, and the many collaborations still to come!
The book ends with Mr. Milly’s silence. He smiles, and helps water the tree. And then what happens? You could try to continue the story from this point: What was Mr. Milly thinking while he smiled quietly? What happened to the juice tree and the villagers? Did they keep on picking a single leaf? Or did something surprising happen down the line?
You may want to snuggle up to each other and look at the illustrations together. What does Big Wolf do before Little Wolf comes along? Perhaps you could suggest that your child leaf through the book, and tell the story in their own words. You could also try to tell the story from Little Wolf’s perspective.
You may want to ask your child to look for the illustrations in which Big Wolf helps Little Wolf. What does he do for his friend throughout the book? You could think of your friends together, and remember the little things you do for one another.
You may enjoy tying two inner toilet paper rolls with some string to make binoculars. You could climb up a hill, and try to locate various objects using the binoculars you made. What is the furthest thing each of you was able to spot?
When Big Wolf first sees Little Wolf, the latter is no more than a dot on the horizon. You may want to take a blank sheet of paper, and draw together – start off by making a small dot, then ask your child to add some detail to the picture, and keep on taking turns as you go along. What has your dot turned into?
Big Wolf misses Little Wolf, and awaits his return. You may want to remind your child of a friend with whom they have not spent time recently, and suggest inviting them over.
הימים האלו עכשיו הם ימים לא רגילים, ובימים כאלה סיפורים יכולים לשמח, לרגש, אפילו להצחיק. אנו מזמינים אתכם/ן להאזין להקלטה הקסומה של הספר “החוצה”, מאת: רינת פרימו | איורים: איתי רייכרט | ידיעות ספרים.
האם יצליח אבא ללמד את איתמר שגם המסדרון, חדר המדרגות ואפילו הרחוב הם שלו? האזינו לסיפור וגלו!
יוצרים ומגישים: ירדן בר כוכבא – הלפרין ודידי שחר מוזיקה ונגינה: טל בלכרוביץ’ פתיח ההסכת ולחן השיר בסיפור “החוצה”: דידי שחר
You may want to lead through this book, and look at the illustrations together. You could ask your child to tell you the story in their own words based on the sequence of illustrations.
Perhaps you could ask your child for their opinion as to why Itamar’s father tells him that the corridor, stairwell, and street belong to him too.
Perhaps you would enjoy taking a walk in the neighborhood, and discovering the buildings, roads, and landscape near your home. Does anything in the shared spaces need improving or cleaning? Perhaps you could initiate a local activity, such as tidying up and decorating the stairwell in your building, or setting up a community garden.
Your child can join Itamar by tidying up their room, and sorting through their toys. Perhaps you will find long-forgotten “treasures”! You may want to decide what to keep and what to throw out, or donate to others, together. You can also try to fix broken toys, or think of ways to recycle some items, and use them in a new way.
Do you also have some broken crayons you were thinking of throwing out? They can be recycled! Sort them into similar shades, peel off their paper labels, and place them into a paper or silicone baking tray. Bake at a low heat until the crayons melt, cool the mixture, take out of the baking tray, and enjoy your new, multi-colored crayons!
You may enjoy looking at the special illustrations together while reading the book. You may want to discuss whether letters can indeed have feelings, and whether you recognized the boy who received the letter at the end of the book.
What is known and unknown in the book? Perhaps you can guess: What did Nitay’s mother, Lily, whisper in his ear at night? What did the letter say? Why was the man on the bus angry? And why were the old man and his daughter sad? Remember, there are no wrong answers – that’s the magic of the story!
The illustrations combine photographs with drawings. You may want to print out a family photo or a picture of your child on a black and white printer, and then color in the printout using color pencils, enriching it with color and a creative imagination.
Sometimes we keep special letters for a long time – official letters, love letters, or letters we received from friends. Have you also kept any special letter? Perhaps you could share such a letter with your child, and tell them who wrote it to you, and what it is about. Inspired by this book, you could start writing letters to one another, and keeping them in a special place.
A letter need not be long, and does not necessarily require an envelope. You could surprise your child by sticking notes on their lunchbox or bathroom mirror, or placing them under their pillow. Whichever way you choose – spreading a good word wherever you go is the best!
Who would love to receive a “magical letter” from you? Perhaps a member of your family, a neighbor or classmate? You can go ahead and write one together, put it into an envelope, and mail it. You would not believe how much happiness a letter can bring.
How about writing a letter in invisible ink? Squeeze a lemon, dip a cotton swab into the lemon juice, and use it to write a note on a white sheet of paper. Your hidden message will only be seen by those who shine a flashlight under your letter.
You may want to leaf through the book together, and look for all the animals: the hedgehog, rabbit, squirrel, and mouse. Have you discovered any other animals hiding in the woods?
It may be advisable to read the story several times to allow your child to remember the sequence of events, and join you as you read the recurring lines: “רעבים ביער לא חסר, כדאי מאוד להסתתר” [“Many in the woods are hungry, it is best to hide”], and “התפוח גדול, אפשר גם לכבד” [“It’s a big apple, we can share it”].
You may enjoy discussing moments in which we share with or give to others together. Remind your child how we host friends, share toys in kindergarten, or offer others some of our yummy snack.
Each animal has a unique way of walking: the hedgehog takes small steps, the rabbit hops, the squirrel skips, and the mouse pitter patters. You could play charades together, imitating the various characters in the book: one of you does the imitation, while the other guesses which of the characters they are pretending to be.
You may enjoy acting the story out using stuffed animals you have at home. You could also make animal costumes using old fabrics: cut various shaped ears, attach them to hair bands, and become hedgehogs, rabbits, squirrels, and mice.
The friends in the book enjoy a meal together in which each of them gives and gets from the others. You may enjoy organizing a picnic with some friends or neighbors, in which each of you brings something from home, and shares it with the others.
You could make a pinecone hedgehog with your child, and ask them to paint it with some paints and a paintbrush. Who will be the happy recipient of this colorful gift?
Have you noticed how the illustrator chose to depict the cat and rabbit as children in disguise? Does your child also like to play dress-up? You may want to put on some ears and tails and take a trip together.
You may enjoy looking for the pages on which the cat and rabbit eat. What sounds do they make while eating? Try to listen to the sounds we make when we drink from a straw, have an ice-cream, or eat a crunchy apple.
Perhaps you could act this story out using rabbit and cat puppets. You can use leftover fabrics or old socks to make your own.
Do all of your family members like eating the same food? Which of you drink from a bottle, and which of you have hot coffee in a mug? You may want to suggest that your child try out new dishes every once in a while. Did they like them? Remember, there is no accounting for taste.
You may enjoy inviting a new friend home, and finding an activity to do together that will make both friends happy: taking a walk, drawing, building something, or reading this book.
You may want to read this story several times, and look at the special illustrations together. You could ask your child: how can you tell from the illustration that Guy is not feeling well? How does each member of his family try to help him get better? You could search for pictures of Yoyo the dog, and ask what it is doing on each page. Perhaps your child could tell you the story in their own words according to the illustrations.
Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa and Yoyo try to cheer Guy up and make him happy. Each of them does what they can and think is best for him. You may want to share a memory with your child of a time when you had gone to visit a sick person, or a time when you were sick and received a heartwarming visit.
Often children are unable to visit the sick, but they can still help them recover, and cheer them up. Do you happen to know anyone who is unwell? You could encourage your child to draw a greeting card for them, call them up, or make something yummy for them, to try and help them get well.
Perhaps you would enjoy opening a “toy clinic” at home in which to treat your dolls and stuffed animals. You could also play together: you could be the patient, and your child could pretend to be your doctor, or vice versa.
Grandpa makes sweet, hot tea for Guy. You can also make delicious herbal tea, if you like, to warm up your entire family: place some herbs in a teapot (mint, rosemary, lemongrass or sage), pour boiling water over them, and sweeten the hot beverage. Enjoy!
What makes one a hero? You may want to stop reading when Pat realizes he has no special powers. You could discuss Pat’s feelings with your child – what would they have told him right now? What could have comforted him? You may also wish to ask: Is not being a superhero that terrible? What sort of qualities might make one a hero? And who are your heroes?
Uniting and distinguishing: Which qualities do members of your family share, and which make each of you special? What distinguishes your family from others? You could discuss this with your child, and ask them to draw two pictures: a family portrait highlighting common traits, and another emphasizing each family member’s uniqueness.
Make believe: Many children enjoy playing with superhero action figures, and pretending that they too have special powers. You may want to join in on their game, taking an interest in the superpowers possessed by your child’s favorite characters, and letting your imagination run wild. If you also spent time playing superheroes as children, or reading comic books, you could tell your child about your childhood toys, books, and movies, and compare them with today’s superheroes.
Dressing up as superheroes: Perhaps you would enjoy choosing or inventing a superhero, and making a costume for your child – from head to toe, or just using a cape. What superpowers does the superhero you chose have? What are their special qualities?
Walking in the dark: Pat can find his way in the dark. Can you? You may want to turn off all the lights, and walk from one room to the other holding hands. Feel your way around, and rely on your knowledge of your surroundings. After several times, you could allow your child to lead you.
Interesting animals: You may enjoy reading the fun facts about bats printed on the last page of the book together. Did your child know bats shared these characteristics? You may want to visit a petting zoo, zoo or pet store, look for information online or at the library, and prepare a similar page about a different animal.
הקשיבו, הקשיבו!!! 🎧 ילדות וילדים, הורים וצוותים חינוכיים ❤️ הימים האלו עכשיו הם ימים לא רגילים, ובימים כאלה סיפורים יכולים לשמח, לרגש, אפילו להצחיק. אנו מזמינים אתכם/ן להאזין להקלטה הקסומה של הסיפור “העופר המסכן”, מתוך “סיפורי חיות”, מאת: עודד בורלא | איורים: אסיה אייזנשטיין | הוצאת: ידיעות ספרים.
יוצרים ומגישים – ירדן בר כוכבא – הלפרין ודידי שחר מוזיקה ונגינה – טל בלכרוביץ’ פתיח ההסכת ולחן השיר בסיפור “החוצה” – דידי שחר.
הקשיבו, הקשיבו!!! 🎧 ילדות וילדים, הורים וצוותים חינוכיים ❤️ הימים האלו עכשיו הם ימים לא רגילים, ובימים כאלה סיפורים יכולים לשמח, לרגש, אפילו להצחיק. אנו מזמינים אתכם/ן להאזין להקלטה הקסומה של הסיפור “ההמצאות של קרפד” מתוך הספר “סיפורי חיות” מאת: עודד בורלא, איורים: אסיה אייזנשטיין.
יוצרים ומגישים: ירדן בר כוכבא – הלפרין ודידי שחר מוזיקה ונגינה: טל בלכרוביץ’ פתיח: דידי שחר
Author, poet and painter Oded Burla was born in Jerusalem Sephardi family that had lived in this country for over thirteen generations. He published his first book at the age of 45, and went on to write and illustrate more than 70 children’s books, in which, he once claimed, 346 different animals were mentioned! Burla is considered the founding father of nonsense in Hebrew children’s literature; his books are filled with sophisticated humor and a use of language that is both surprising and amusing. For his work, Oded Burla has been awarded the Zeev Prize, ACUM Award, and Bialik Prize.
Animal stories have morals from which people can learn. You may enjoy reading the stories together, and trying to discover the subtle messages conveyed by them. What makes someone pitiful? Why did the tiger help the warbler? Is kindness contagious? And what can a squirrel teach us about independence?
What about the stories did your child find amusing? The animals and their behavior? The surprising endings the author chose for his stories? Or perhaps the illustrations?
The toad is an inventor with a great imagination. But are all his inventions necessary or useful? Perhaps you could also let your imaginations run wild, and invent new things together. Are your inventions useful?
In the poem entitled “Noah’s chick” (HaEfroah shel Noach), almost every line rhymes with “Noah”. You may also choose a word or sound, and try to write a poem in which every line rhymes with that sound. How long was your poem?
The story about Sakiki the Saki contains a plethora of idioms and phrases containing the Hebrew word for “eye” – ayin. You may want to make an amusing, illustrated dictionary together containing all the expressions found in this story in picture form.
Do you also like animals and stories? Then how about going to the zoo with a notebook and pen, and drawing all the animals that remind you of certain people? Together, you can make up stories with morals about them, and write them down, to create your very own animal stories.
You can look at the illustrations together, ask and share: Is anything other than the rope tying the sailors to one another? Just like on the ship – what connects members of our household to one another? How do you view the role played by each member? How can each of them contribute to the family “ship”?
A funny chef arranging strawberries on a cake, or a fisherman trying to walk with his leg stuck in a bucket – the illustrations in this book are full of interesting details. You can select one amusing illustration at a time, describe it in your own words, and try to convey what it portrays using gestures.
Stand in a row holding hands with some friends or family members. Now try to walk a pre-determined course, such as from the living room to the bedroom. You can add some “waves” – meaning obstacles that you need to climb over or crawl under without letting go of each other’s hands. What will happen if someone let’s go? Will the “ship” be able to sail?
You can give a demonstration of a “hole in the ship” using a bucket full of water and a cardboard cup or bowl. Your bucket will be the great big sea, while your cup or bowl will be the ship – sail your ship and watch it float on the water. What will happen if you make a hole at the bottom of it? Try it and find out!
You may enjoy looking at the book together. What do you see on the cover? You may want to ask your child their opinion as to the feelings of both girl and cat in the picture.
Do you own a pet? Is your child attached to it? In what way do they help to take care of it? Perhaps you could go to a petting or regular zoo, and discuss your favorite animals together.
Perhaps you would like to observe the cats on your street. How do they walk? What sounds do they make? What do they eat? Are they domesticated cats or street cats? You could place an empty cardboard box in the yard. Maybe a cat would use it to sleep in?
You could act the story out using puppets. You could also make a puppet from bits of fabric, or an old sock. You could take turns being Maya and Kishta.
Life is full of childhood transitions – moving from a crib to a bed, a new bedroom, or kindergarten. We hope that the joy found by Maya and Kishta in their new friendship will be a source of support for your child in their transitions.
You can flip through the illustrations with your children and identify the work that the brothers do together. In every home there are tasks that invite collaboration. Which household chores are easier and more pleasant to carry out together?
There are many verbs that describe the work of the farmer. Do your children know them? You can act out the different actions using pantomime.
Each of the brothers considers the other’s needs and gives up his share without being asked. Together with your children, you can make an illustrated list of examples where members of your family share and are considerate to one another.
Like the brothers in the story, you too can prepare a surprise for your children in the middle of the night. Following your example, your children may surprise you too!
The brothers in the story understand that fair does not always mean equal. How true this is in family life as well! You can demonstrate this principle using clothes: Gather up different pieces of clothing belonging to the members of the family and ask your children to sort them. Would it be fair to give Mommy’s blouse to a child, or Daddy’s slacks to a baby? This can lead into a discussion of the needs of members of your family, and to your assurance that their needs are met, even if they don’t always get exactly the same thing as their siblings.
“Everyone has a city named Jerusalem” (Natan Yonatan): After reading together the tale of the Temple, you can show your children pictures of Jerusalem (or visit!), sing songs about Jerusalem, and relay to your children stories about “your Jerusalem”.
Ruthi proclaims that “there’s no other coat like this in the world!” You may ask your children what it is that makes Grandmother’s coat so special. Ask them to describe the coat in their own words. Don’t forget to note the soft material and the surprise-laden pockets! Do you have special clothes or objects that help you feel better? This is an opportunity to remind children of blankets, stuffed animals or a special cloth that help them feel calm in times of distress.
Dressing up in costume is a wonderful way to foster one’s imagination. You can provide old clothes, hats and other props to encourage your children’s make-believe play. You may dress up in a big old coat and, adding a few other relevant props, can act out the story together.
Many of us have childhood memories connected to touch. Do you too have a distant recollection of a special piece of clothing? You can share this childhood memory with your child and tell them about the special connection you had with the clothing, or with your grandparents, aunts or uncles.
The “It’s Like” game: The author Miriam Roth compares the feel of Grandmother’s coat with the fur of a cat. You can make up a word game to play with your children: Place objects made from different materials – e.g., metal, plastic, cloth, etc. – into a large bag. One by one, each player removes an object from the bag and describes the object declaring “It’s soft like…”, “It’s cold like…”, “It’s coarse like…”
Ask your child to show you the picture depicting Ruthi sick in bed. You can ask them how they feel when they’re sick. What helps us feel better? Do you have any special “family remedies” that were passed down from generation to generation? You can ask a grandparent, aunt or uncle what they recommend to overcome a sad mood or a mild cold.
If your child has a grandparent, aunt or adult friend who lives nearby, reading the story together could be a special treat for both of them, and lead to closer relations between the generations.
Miriam Roth (1910-2005) was a well-known children’s author and educator. In 1998 she won the UNICEF Smile Award for her book “A Tale of Five Balloons”, and in 2002 was awarded the prestigious Bialik award for literature. Roth’s books include Israeli children’s classics such as “Tiras Cham”, “Maaseh shel Hamisha Balonim”, and “Habayit shel Yael”.
Bear’s friends try to cheer him up and make him happy. Each one of them does their best. But how do they do it? Pick one animal and focus on its actions throughout the book. What kind of help does this animal give Bear?
Have you ever visited a sick friend or relative? Did anyone ever visit you when you were not feeling well? How can we cheer up our kindergarten friends when they are sick?
The badger gives Bear a herbal tea to drink, made from the medicinal herbs picked by Bear’s friends. You can also make a delicious, warm, herbal tea for your family: Put some herbs like mint (nana), rosemary, lemon verbena, or sage in a teapot. Add four cups of hot water and some honey. Pour a cup of tea for every family member and decorate it with a lemon slice.
Play “make believe sick”: practice the mitzvah of visiting the sick with your family. Let your child take care of you and help you relax. Tell them what helps you when you’re not feeling well. This is a golden opportunity to remind your children that they have the power to heal others!
At the end of the story, Bear gets better, and finds out that the friends who helped him recover are all sick! How does Bear “know” to take care of his friends, and how does he manage to take care of so many friends at once? Using stuffed animals or dolls, make a small play showing how Bear takes care of his friends.
“You must exercise great caution concerning your lives” Venishmartem meod lenafshotechem
Sickness is a part of life. We get better thanks to the treatment we receive, as well as thanks to our body, which manages to overcome the illness. In the book of Deuteronomy (Devarim), chapter 4 verse 15, it is written: “You must exercise great caution concerning your lives” (venishmartem meod lenafshotechem). This means that we have the responsibility to take care of our body and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
How do you take care of your body? Discuss: How do you keep the body clean? What kind of food is healthy? How can we use our body to make it stronger? How do we rest to regain energy?
Bear’s illness is contagious. Try to think how we can be careful to avoid getting infected (for example: washing our hands, not coming to kindergarten when we are sick). What more can we do?
Can I Sit in the Middle? 
Next in Line 
The Rabbit Listened 
The Boy with Flowers in His Hair 
A Crocodile Gets on a Train 
A Girl with an Umbrella 
Bears on Chairs 
Little Peanut 
The Bunny who Forgot to Close the Door 
The Juice Tree 
Big Wolf and Little Wolf 
Out 
The Magical Letter 
Little Hedgehog 
A Rabbit and a Cat are going on a Trip 
Doctor Yoyo 
Superbat 
Animal Stories 
A Hole in the Boat 
Kishta 
The Site of the Temple 
Grandmother’s Coat 
Bear Feels Sick 
שִׂיחָה
יְצִירָה
שִׁלּוּב הַסֵּפֶר
מִשְׂחָק
סִרְטוֹנִים
הַשְׁרָאָה
קְרִיאָה
שֵׁמַע
חֵקֶר
לָצֵאת הַחוּצָה
כְּלָלִי
הַעֲשָׁרָה
חֲגִיגָה
הַמְחָשָׁה
– suggestions for game cards and arts & crafts can be found on the PJLibrary Pinterest page.
