When children first learn to read, they put tremendous effort into following the sequence of letters and flow of words. When they listen to adults — who are close to them — read to them, they can free themselves of the effort, and indulge in imagining the story or discovering new things about the book. It is, of course, recommended that children be encouraged to read on their own, but, at the same time, you should also keep reading together.
Have you ever tried building or planning something that didn’t quite come out the way you intended? How do we feel when things don’t come out quite the way we planned? What can help us in such cases? You can share with your children your own experiences when things didn’t quite go as planned, and what heled you cope.
Listen to this episode called A Great Idea, which is part of a podcast called Yarden and Didi in Pajamas in partnership with Kan Podcasts, Keren Grinspoon Israel and the Israeli Ministry of Education.
What happens when we plan first and then build? Or when we build without planning? You can try it both ways using items you have collected, Lego pieces, or anything else you have at home, and see how you feel and what the result is each time.
You can play an imagination drawing game. Take turns describing to the rest of your family as follows: In my imagination I see something that does… It has a… and it’s the color of… – while the rest of your family follows your description and draws it on paper. What does each drawing look like? How fascinating!
“Even in rough times – Shmulek can count on his harmonica” –What helps you during hard times? You can discuss and share ideas on how to cheer yourself up when you are sad or times are hard: It can be a tune, a dream, or a hug from someone you love.
Which songs are your favorite? You can listen to songs you like when you are sad or happy, in the morning , or those that help you fall asleep. You may want to create a family soundtrack of favorite songs to listen to when the mood is right.
Shmulek places his teeth that had fallen out in a box. You can also find a box, decorate it, and place special objects in it, such as treasures that you have found, or paintings of dreams that you would like to make come true.
What is your favorite place? Is it at home? Is it nearby? Or is it far away from home? You can share with one another: What is your special place, what do you like about it, and what is special about it.
You can find good things everywhere; every place has some beauty. Take turns choosing a place, whether near or far, in Israel or elsewhere, real or imaginary, and have the other participants ask questions about it to discover what makes it so wonderful.
What is happening near your home? Go on a short walk outside, and try to discover how you can do good in your own surroundings: How about picking up litter and placing it in the recycling bin? Or offering people waiting at the bus station a drink of water? Or setting up a library on your street with your neighbors?
You may want to discuss Cyril and Tevye’s choice: Why do you think they chose not to use all the gold? Did that surprise you? Why, in your opinion, did they decide to invest the gold in schooling?
The goat is by Cyril and Tevye’s side throughout the book. You may enjoy looking for the goat in the illustrations: What is it doing? What is its connection to the family? How about trying to tell the story from the goat’s point of view? What happens to it as the book progresses?
Gather several small gifts that you would like to give your family: A drawing, greeting card, or item. Take turns hiding your gifts and having the rest of your family look for the treasure using clues: “Near and far”, “hot and cold”, or arrows placed around the house.
האזינו לפס הקול של הספר! If you scan the QR code, you will be able to hear the soundtrack of the story. You can listen to it together at home, while traveling, or anytime and anywhere you choose.
Which perfect gift would you like to get for your birthday? How would you feel if you did not get it? Have you ever wanted something very badly but did not receive it? This book prompts us to discuss our expectations – why this specific gift? Do we really need it or are we simply jealous because we saw someone else has it? You may also want to discuss disappointments, and the things that help us cope with them.
How well do you know members of your own family, and what do you think would be the perfect gift for them – would it be something you buy or an experiential gift, such as time spent together, or perhaps a trip somewhere? How about playing a game and finding out? In each round, all participants try to guess what one participant would really like to get as a gift. Those whose guesses are the closest win… the perfect family hug.
Whoever said only cars drive round and round with a cord attached? People could too! Two of you could hold the two ends of a long cord, leading one another left, right, backwards and forwards. If you get tired, make a pit stop, and start again.
“A car with Dad is the perfect gift”. And what would you consider to be the perfect gift? What would you like to do with your father or other family members? You could fix broken items, build or assemble something, or perhaps draw, bake, plant, or dance together. In fact, you can do whatever you want, as long as you get to spend time together.
Do you, parents and children, sometimes feel fed up just like Shraga? What are you fed up of, and what do you (almost) never tire of? What do you do when you feel this way? Can you give Shraga some advice as to what he should do when he feels fed up?
Shraga is fed up, and so he runs away elsewhere. But is that the only option available to him? If you’re feeling fed up, you can always look around you, and discover the positive aspects in our lives. Perhaps you can list all the good things that happened each day. How about making a family scrapbook of positive things, such as “my friend made me laugh”, “I got the book I wanted”, or “I’m healthy”. You could share the best moments of your day with one another, and check to see whether focusing on the positive and recording your best moments in the scrapbook will improve your mood in the following days as well.
“I’m bored!!!” – how often have you said or heard these two words? To shake things up a little, and spice things up, take a large die, or make one out of a cardboard box. Write some routine breakers on each side, such as “putting up a tent in the living room”, “ball games” or “singing and dancing”. Each time one of you gets bored, throw the die, and get inspired to do something fun. We recommend writing some new ideas on your die from time to time, so you won’t get fed up of them…
Throughout the book, the alien speaks a language that readers cannot understand. Can you tell what the alien is saying? What did it say when it was left out in the snow after Shraga had gone? What did it say upon Shraga’s return? And how did Shraga respond? You could act out the alien’s text, give it a special voice, and tell everyone what it does when it’s fed up…
If you had such a wondrous hat – where would you want it to take you? And what would you ask of it? You may enjoy looking at the illustrations and telling each other which place you would have liked to visit, who you would have wanted to meet, and which memento you would have liked to bring back with you.
This book is an homage to the poem Magic Hat and the poetess who wrote it, Leah Goldberg: Gali-Lea. Leah Goldberg was one of the first and most important Hebrew children’s literature writers. You could also be creative by using this poem as an inspiration: sing the song entitled Magic Hat, dance along, wear hats, and act out both poem and story about Galilea. You could even make your own magic hat, and decorate it; who knows where it might take you?…
Which beautiful places have you visited or would you like to visit? You may want to make a photo album or scrapbook filled with places close to home or far away, realistic or imaginary. You could even invite friends and family over, and ask them to tell you about where they born or the places they’d visited: Where are these places? Have you ever visited them in your dreams? What was it like there – was it hot or cold? Quiet or noisy? And… what was coming home like?
Make a large paper circle and divide it up into eight equal parts. Write the following in them: cold, hot, wet, dry, up, down, quiet, noisy. Take turns playing by rotating a pencil at the center of the circle and announcing the word it points to. The rest of the participants repeat the word out loud, and add its antonym (opposite): “wet” – “dry”. At each turn, go around the house looking for something cold, noisy or hot, and so on. During the next round, you could look for something that has two or more of these attributes.
“He who sowed sorrowfully, now reaps joyously” – the children in this book enjoy working hard and being independent. Do you, children and parents, enjoy working and creating yourselves? What kind of work do you enjoy doing together with friends or family members, such as your grandparents? And what do you enjoy doing all on your own?
You may want to think together about the kind of work that you find hard, but also rewarding.
There are simple, everyday pleasures like drinking lemonade together, smelling a fragrant flower, or listening to a story. You may enjoy making a family collection of pleasures together: draw moments of joy on notes, and post them up in a central area of your house. You could “pick” a note each day, plucking it off the wall, and taking a moment to share some simple joy together.
This book mentions many scents – lemons, herbs, and roses – that may inspire you to play the following aroma quiz: pick some fragrant items (soap, a vanilla bean, mint leaves, orange zest, etc.) and start playing. Take turns closing your eyes, smelling one of the items given to you, and trying to guess what it is. Can you guess by using your sense of smell alone? You could allow participants to use their sense of touch too. When the game is over, you could place the fragrant items in a small basket, and smell them in moments of simple pleasure.
You may want to take a walk near your home to look for fruit trees, flowers, or herbs. You could try growing some herbs in your garden or a planter – mint, tree wormwood, sage, or lemongrass. This could be the perfect opportunity to give your child a job – being responsible for watering the plants – so that when the time comes, they will be able to pick them joyously, and use them with pleasure!
You may want to leaf through the book and look at the illustrations together. What can you see out of Shusha’s bedroom window? What can you see out of your child’s bedroom window?
Shusha dreams of being a famous painter. Perhaps you could discuss each of your family members’ talents and dreams.
Shusha has the best time at her grandmother’s. what does your child enjoy doing with their grandparents or uncles and aunts? You may enjoy discussing the uniqueness of their relationship with each member of your extended family, and plan the next time you all get together.
Drawing on walls, as Shusha does, is usually prohibited. You could, however, put a large sheet of paper up on a wall or door to draw on. Perhaps you could add details over time to gradually create your very own family wall painting.
Shusha waves, and the sheep follows suit. You may want to use chalk to outline your child’s shadow in your backyard or on the sidewalk, and return an hour later to the same exact spot, to see how their shadow grows longer and moves in tandem with the sun.
Shusha sees a black sheep in her shadow. Perhaps you could turn off the main lights, and turn on a small lamp to check what kind of shadows form on the walls when we put our fingers or various items between the small light and the wall.
How about visiting an art exhibition at a gallery or museum with your child? Discover which paintings you like best, and whether you and your child have similar taste. You could even pick one or two of your favorite pieces, and learn some fun facts about the artists that painted them.
Have you noticed the special combination of words and illustrations in this book? Was it easily read aloud? What about the illustrations and plot did you find amusing?
You may enjoy searching together for the page on which Henry puts up the wanted poster for the perfect pet. What other ads can you see up there? Do these products really exist? Perhaps you would like make an ad of your own with your child, seeking something they greatly desire, even if it only imaginary.
A dog cannot quack, and a duck cannot play catch. But if you look upon things with kindness, you can always find the good in them. You may want to make note of the unique talent each of your family members and friends possess.
Henry knows a lot about the characteristics of frogs, dogs – and ducks! What animals does your child know? You may want to visit a farm, zoo or pet store, and get to know new animals.
You could share a childhood experience with your child: which animals lived nearby? Did you own a pet when you were a child? If so, you could tell them about it, and show them pictures from your past.
Perhaps you would enjoy having a costume night at home. Each of you can dress up as a different animal, and the others could guess which animal they are. You could even invent imaginary animals, mixing a horse’s tail with cat’s ears and so on. What would you name the animals you have invented, and what would their characteristics be?
The adults in the story are doubtful that the carrot will grow. You can discuss this with your children and share your own experiences. You may ask: Why do the adults had trouble believing that the carrot would grow? When you read the story, did your children think the carrot would grow? Did you ever have someone not believe you? How do you feel when others doubt things of which you are certain?
The boy in the story does not speak, and we can only imagine what he is thinking and feeling as the others express their skepticism. If the boy could talk, how do you think he would respond? Together with your child you can select dolls to represent the boy, his parents and his brother. As you re-read the story, use the dolls to create a dialogue between the boy and his
At the end of the story, the boy transports the carrot in a wheelbarrow. What do you think happens next? Where is he taking the carrot? How do the others respond when they see the giant carrot, and what does the boy do with it?
The carrot grows under the ground, and not on the shelves of the grocery store! You can visit the supermarket or neighborhood grocery and take note of the various fruits and vegetables. What grows from a seed, like the carrot? What grows under the soil, and what blossoms on a tree? Which foods can be prepared from each fruit and vegetable, and what do we like in particular?
Crockett Johnson’s illustrations depict the story that occurs above ground. You can suggest to your children that they draw a parallel story of the carrot, page after page, reflecting the process under the soil. In the end you will have two booklets illustrating the story “The Carrot Seed”: one of the boy and his family, and the other – the story of the
There are many delicious foods that can be prepared with carrots: carrot juice, carrot soup, carrot salad, carrot bread and more! Here is an easy recipe for sweet and delicious carrot salad: Ask your children to help peel and grate a few carrots into a bowl. Add a bit of lemon juice, sugar and a handful of raisins and mix together. You can serve your carrot salad to the whole family. Bon Appetite!
“The Carrot Seed” demonstrates the great amount of patience and perseverance needed to grow vegetables. These traits are necessary to achieve many goals in life. You can share a personal story with your child of something you achieved with great effort and after a long wait, and tell them about the sense of satisfaction this
כדאי לערוך מסיבת פיג’מות בגן, יחד עם ההורים אחרי שעות הגן או עם הילדים בלבד בשעות הבוקר, ולקרוא יחד את הסיפור. אפשר לקשט את הגן עם תפאורה של כוכבים וירח ולהזמין את כולם להתכרבל יחד, ליהנות מהאיורים הרכים שמלווים את הסיפור ולעקוב אחר מסע ההתבגרות של נינה.
“עכשיו לילה, אבל נינה חושבת שהיא ערה”. אפשר לשוחח עם הילדים על ההבדלים בין חלום ומציאות: האם גם לכם קרה פעם שלא הייתם בטוחים אם אתם ערים או ישנים? מה יכול לקרות בחלום ולא במציאות? אפשר לתת דרור לדמיון ולצייר ציור שכולו חלום.
חבריה הצעצועים של נינה חושבים שהיא מוכנה למעבר מזחילה להליכה, אבל נינה לא בטוחה בכך. בכל רגע בחייהם הילדים עומדים בפתח הישג חדש (למשל, מעבר לגן חדש או לכיתה א’, רכיבה על אופניים, עצמאות גוברת בפעולות יומיומיות). אפשר לשוחח על כך ולשאול אלו כוחות דרושים כדי לצלוח את המעבר, האם הם חוששים?
הסיפור מסתיים בצעדים הראשונים של נינה. תוכלו להמציא המשך לסיפור: לאן נינה הולכת? האם היא גם מועדת ונופלת? איך מגיבים בני המשפחה והחברים כשהם רואים את נינה הולכת? הציעו לילדים לצייר ולכתוב יחד עמוד המשך לספר.
Nina Walks
שְׁמִירָה
לשוחח עם הילדים על דברים ש'בוגרים' עושים ו'קטנים' עדיין לא
אפשר לשוחח עם הילדים על דברים ש’בוגרים’ עושים ו’קטנים’ עדיין לא. אפשר לערוך רשימה של הישגים ויכולות: מה יודעים הילדים לעשות היום שלא יכלו לעשות בתחילת השנה, ומה הם רוצים ללמוד לעשות כשיהיו בוגרים יותר.
בעקבות הסיפור אפשר לבקש מהילדים להביא לגן תמונות שלהם כתינוקות, ולהציג אותן על לוח יחד עם תמונות שלהם מהשנה. כך כולם יכולים להתגאות ולהתרשם ממסע ההתבגרות של הילדים – וגם להיזכר בצעדים ראשוניים שלהם.
תוכלו להפנות את ההורים לאחת ההצעות בסוף הספר – להכין יחד עם ילדיהם אלבום של “צעדים ראשונים”: צילומים של הילדים כתינוקות בזרועותיהם, ובהמשך זוחלים, הולכים, מבקרים לראשונה בגן… ולהציע להשאיר דפים ריקים להמשך ההתפתחות (המעבר לכיתה א’, לימוד קרוא וכתוב ועוד הרבה!).
“עכשיו לילה, אבל נינה חושבת שהיא ערה”. אפשר לשוחח עם ילדיכם על ההבדלים בין חלום ומציאות: האם גם לכם קרה פעם שלא הייתם בטוחים אם אתם ערים או ישנים? מה יכול לקרות בחלום ולא במציאות? אפשר לתת דרור לדמיון ולצייר יחד ציור שכולו חלום.
חבריה הצעצועים של נינה חושבים שהיא מוכנה למעבר מזחילה להליכה, אבל נינה לא בטוחה בכך. האם ילדיכם עומדים בפתח הישג חדש? (למשל, מעבר לגן חדש או לכיתה א’, רכיבה על אופניים…) אפשר לשוחח על כך ולשאול אלו כוחות דרושים כדי לצלוח את המעבר, האם הם חוששים?
הסיפור מסתיים בצעדים הראשונים של נינה. תוכלו להמציא המשך לסיפור: לאן נינה הולכת? האם היא גם מועדת ונופלת? איך מגיבים בני המשפחה והחברים כשהם רואים את נינה הולכת? הציעו לילדיכם לצייר ולכתוב יחד עמוד המשך לספר.
Nina Walks
שְׁמִירָה
לשוחח עם ילדיכם על דברים ש'בוגרים' עושים ו'קטנים' עדיין לא
אפשר לשוחח עם ילדיכם על דברים ש’בוגרים’ עושים ו’קטנים’ עדיין לא. אפשר לערוך רשימה של הישגים ויכולות של ילדיכם: מה הם יודעים לעשות היום שלא יכלו לעשות לפני שנה, ומה הם רוצים ללמוד לעשות כשיהיו בוגרים יותר.
ילדים רבים אוהבים לשמוע סיפורים על ילדותם המוקדמת. לאחר הקריאה אפשר להתכרבל יחד ולהיזכר בצעדים ראשוניים של ילדיכם. האם אתם זוכרים באיזה גיל הם התחילו לזחול, ללכת, אולי לעמוד על רגל אחת בלי ליפול? אפשר לחפש תמונות ישנות ולהכין יחד אלבום של “צעדים ראשונים”: צילומים של ילדיכם כתינוקות בזרועותיכם, ובהמשך זוחלים, הולכים, מבקרים לראשונה בגן… אל תשכחו להשאיר דפים ריקים להמשך ההתפתחות (המעבר לכיתה א’, לימוד קרוא וכתוב ועוד הרבה!)
כמו נינה וחבריה, גם אתם יכולים לצאת ל”טיול לילה”. האם הסביבה המוכרת נראית שונה בלילה? מה אתם רואים, אלו קולות אתם שומעים? כדאי לקחת שמיכה ועותק של הספר, לשכב על הדשא ולהביט בשמים. יחד אפשר לחפש את הירח (האם הוא “ורוד ושוטף את העצים באור כסף בהיר”, כמו בסיפור?), לִספוֹר כוכבים וללחוש סודות.
לילה טוב וקריאה נעימה מספריית פיג’מה!
Israeli children’s poet and author, Anda Amir, was born in Poland, and immigrated to Israel in 1920. She wrote many children’s poems that accompany Israeli children to this day, among them The Hedgehog Wanted to Dance, The Sparrow, and Golden Ship. For her numerous stories and translations Amir was awarded the Bialik Award in 1936, and the Israel Prize in 1978.
Reading a poetry book and a storybook is not the same. The poems included in this collection are short and catchy, and you may enjoy reading them over and over again. You could invite your child to leaf through the book, and select a different poem each time. In a little while, your child will know the words, and be able to recite them on their own.
The animals in the book are humanlike: the teddy-bear takes care of the doll; the moon loses its hair; and the bunny goes shopping. You may want to suggest that your child use some toys and stuffed animals to act out their favorite poems.
Do you remember poems you used to recite as a child? After reading this book, you may want to try and remember poems you once knew off by heart, and introduce them to your child.
Some of the poems included in this collection have been put to music. If you do not know the tune, you could look it up online, listen to it, and sing together. You may also enjoy accompanying your singing with simple musical instruments: a tambourine, bell, harmonica, or pair of wooden spoons.
The Most Magnificent Thing 
The Harmonica 
The Bus Stop 
Seven Good Years 
The Perfect Gift 
Fed Up 
Galilea 
Lemonade 
Shusha 
Wanted: The Perfect Pet 
The Carrot Seed 
Nina Walks 
Uncle Moon in the Sky – Collected Poems 
קְרִיאָה
שִׂיחָה
שֵׁמַע
מִשְׂחָק
יְצִירָה
הַשְׁרָאָה
הַעֲשָׁרָה
סִרְטוֹנִים
לָצֵאת הַחוּצָה
כְּלָלִי
הַמְחָשָׁה
חֲגִיגָה
