Oren’s Turtle

Proposed Family Activities:

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• You may want to suggest that your child leaf through the book. What is Oren holding upon returning from his walk with his father? Which toys did the children bring the turtle? You could also look for Oren in the illustrations throughout the book. In which of them does he seem happy, and in which does he look sad? Can you explain why?

• Perhaps you would enjoy taking a short walk near your home. You could take turns looking up, down, to your right, and to your left, and announcing what you see. For instance: “I see an ant!”, or “I see a pinecone!”. Do you notice the same things?

• Does your child know what every animal likes to eat? And where it lives? You may want to discuss the right way to treat animals with your child. Together, you can think which animals can be suitable pets, and how to care for them. Even small children can take part in caring for a household pet.

• You may want to make a turtle shell using a pinecone, a disposable plate, or a finished toilet paper roll. Attach four legs and a head made of cardboard to it, paint it, and have fun owning a pet turtle! You can also use it to act this story out.

• At the end of the book, Oren wishes for his mother to find the turtle again. Together, you could write a sequel to this story. What do you think happened? Where did the turtle go? Did Oren run into it again while taking a walk in the woods? Do you think the turtle remembered him? Did they become friends?

Mira Meir 1932–2016

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Mira Meir was born in Lodz, Poland, and relocated to Tel Aviv at the age of 5 along with her family. After completing her military service, she moved to Kibbutz Nahshon. Meir was an author and poet who wrote for both adults and children, and engaged in editing and translating as well. She won many awards for her literary work, including the Zeev Prize for Lifelong Achievement, the Minister of Culture Award, and the Hebrew Authors’ Prize. Among her well-loved children’s prose and poetry books are: Shluly [Puddley]; Maʹaseh She-Haya Kah Haya [Once Upon a Time]; and Paʹam Haya Yeled Shelo Ratzah Lishon Levado [The Boy Who Wouldn’t Sleep Alone].

Ora Ayal 1946–2011

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Ora Ayal wrote and illustrated more than 70 children’s books. She illustrated many books written by top Israeli children’s authors, such as Miriam Roth (Tale of Five Balloons [Maʹase Ba-Chamisha Balonim], Hot Corn [Tiras Ham], and Yael’s House [HaBayit Shel Yael]), David Grossman (the book series on Itamar), and Ronit Haham (Five Witches Went for a Walk [Hamesh Mekhashefot Halkhu Letayel]). Among the books Ora Ayal both wrote and illustrated are: One Tuesday Morning [Boker Bahir Ehad]; Ugbu; and The Great War [HaMilhama HaAdira]. Her well-loved books have been a source of delight for Israeli children, and she has won many awards, among them the Andersen Children’s Literature Award, and the Ben-Yitzhak Award.