What do the Gazelles Do?

“Sparrows / Read books, / Each with their own beak. / For / As the adults say: / Sparrows also want to read”

[Foreword to the Sparrows Series edited by Lea Goldberg]

That is how Lea Goldberg chose to address her young readers at the beginning of every children’s book in the Ankorim (Sparrows) series she had edited. Lea Goldberg [1911–1970] was an accomplished writer, poet and translator, who also wrote children’s literature. What do the Gazelles Do? is her first poetry book for children. It was first published in 1949, and has since accompanied generations of Israeli children with words and melodies. Lea Goldberg beckons her young readers to open the gates to fine literature, become familiar with writing styles and a range of contents, and thereby broaden their horizons and indulge in book reading. This book is now offered to young readers in the hope that the magic of Lea Goldberg’s writing will open up a gate in their hearts too.