The Journey to the Island of Maybe

Elisheva's friends come to her aid

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Elisheva’s friends come to her aid – they travel, endanger themselves, and are even willing to make an effort and take risks to help her get well. Perhaps you would enjoy remembering a time of need when you were helped by a family member or friend, or else share a memory of a time when you helped a fried in need.

Following the story, you may want to discuss

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Following the story, you may want to discuss reality and make-believe, friendship and compassion, breaking and fixing.

Do you have any dolls or toys that need fixing

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Do you have any dolls or toys that need fixing? You could look for “injured” games together, and try to fix them.

This book was first published in 1944, and the language used in it is in keeping with the times.

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This book was first published in 1944, and the language used in it is in keeping with the times. Did you come across any words or phrases with which your child was not familiar? You may want to ask them who is telling the story, in their opinion – who is the feminine voice that expresses an opinion every once in a while – and what they think of this character.

You may enjoy leafing through the book and looking at the beautiful illustrations

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You may enjoy leafing through the book and looking at the beautiful illustrations by illustrator Batia Kolton. You could pick your favorite excerpt of the story, and draw it.

Miriam Yalan Shtekelis wrote many other poems and stories

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Miriam Yalan Shtekelis wrote many other poems and stories: Flower for Nurit, The Running Dwarves, Brave Little Danny, and more. You may want to look for them at home or the library.

This is the last PJ Library book you will be receiving. We hope you have enjoyed the books throughout your time at kindergarten and school, and may you read a whole lot more!

Miriam Yalan Shtekelis

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Miriam Yalan Shtekelis (1900–1984)

Poet and author Miriam Yalan Shtekelis was born in the Ukraine in 1900. Her father, Dr. Yehuda Leib Wilensky, was a Zionist leader (her last name, Yalan, consists of his initials). Miriam was given a Jewish Zionist education, and immigrated to Israel at the age of 20. She settled in Jerusalem and worked at the Jewish National and University Library (JNUL) for many years. She wrote and translated dozens of children’s poems and stories, and some of her poetry was put to music. Among her well-loved songs are Flower for Nurit, The Soap Cried, Zehava the Doll, and The Rabbit has made a Home. Miriam Yalan Shtekelis was greatly appreciated in life for her writing for children, and was an Israel Prize laureate for children’s literature.