This year's Sifriyat Pijama kindergarten book selection opens with the well-known Israeli poem and song "Good People," published for the first time as an illustrated children's book. The poem reminds us to open our eyes and see how the world is full of well-meaning people. These "good people" are everywhere, just waiting for a chance to help out and join us on our journey through life.
A positive outlook on life and on others can do much to improve one's mood and to encourage each of us to become "good people" ourselves!
The parent suggestions expand upon the themes of helping others, hope and optimism, and introduce young children to Naomi Shemer, the "first lady of Israeli song and poetry."
Age Group: KINDERGARTEN
Book-Related Family Activities
generalWho was Naomi Shemer?
Naomi Shemer was born in 1930 on the kibbutz “Kvutzat Kinneret”. Her songs have accompanied the history of the modern Jewish State. Many of them depict the country – its landscape and everyday life – while others have served as a soundtrack for significant and emotion-laden national events. Naomi Shemer’s early songs were written while she was the kibbutz’s kindergarten teacher. She may well be the country’s most famous kindergarten teacher, and many of her songs are sung to this day by preschool children throughout the country.
Naomi Shemer was an extremely fruitful songwriter, and dozens of her songs are known and loved by adults and children alike. Among her more famous songs are “Jerusalem of Gold”, “The Alef-Bet Song”, and “Lu Yehi”. In 1983 she received the Israel Prize for her contribution to Israeli music.
Naomi Shemer died in 2004 and is buried in the cemetery on Kvutzat Kinneret.
Book-Related Video
Copies Distributed:
90,000
Publishing:
עם עובד
Year of Distribution:
2013 2012-2013
