Picture Books Celebrating and Exploring Jewish Realities
You are never too old for a great picture book!! Consider using these picture books for all ages to learn about Jewish faith, culture and traditions. With Hanukkah starting the evening of Thursday December 10th a picture book may offer an opportunity to learn about the Jewish faith.
As an extension students can create their own picture book to share pieces of their own identity or an important family ritual or tradition. Students will have an opportunity to be the main character!
In order to be anti-racist and be an ally to Jewish people, it's important to be educated about Jewish history, culture and faith. A great way to do this is through literature that explores Jewish realities. It's important that children and youth have access to stories that contain Jewish identity and explore Jewish realities, to help them grow up to be understanding and compassionate towards people of all cultures and faiths.
A Hanukkah Read-Aloud:
Hanukkah 2020 will begin the evening of Thursday, December 10 and ends the evening of Friday, December 18
Antlers With Candles
Some Hanukkah rituals include lighting the menorah, an eight-branched candelabrum commemorating the oil that burned for eight nights (with a place for a ninth candle used to light the others), eating delicious fried foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (jelly donuts) - also reminiscent of the oil - reciting prayers, singing holiday songs, and playing games. Everything looks new when seen from a child’s perspective, including menorahs, dreidels, and latkes. But family togetherness is something special about Hanukkah.
Flying High
Jules the squirrel wants to play football, but the eagle, buffalo, and bear tell him he's all wrong for the game. But then the goat tells him that a wise person once said, "If you will it, it is no dream." Jules decides to work hard and give it his best shot, despite all the discouragement.
Jewish history is full of examples of people who passionately pursued their dreams, even in the face of overwhelming odds. One such extraordinary person was Theodor Herzl, a Hungarian Jew who lived from 1860-1904. In his work as a journalist, Herzl witnessed events that moved him to think deeply about the future of the Jewish people. He saw a desperate need for a Jewish state, a place where people could live in safety and freedom. Although his ideas were initially rejected by many, Herzl worked tirelessly to raise money and support for the reestablishment of the Jewish people in their ancient homeland.
In Flying High, Jules is inspired to pursue his dream by the words of Herzl. When Jules is discouraged because others tell him that he doesn’t have what it takes to play football, a friend shares Herzl’s most famous saying with him: “If you will it, it is no dream.”
Fridays Are Special
How delightful that Jewish people have a holiday to celebrate every week, like clockwork! The little boy in this book spends Fridays having tot-sized adventures while getting ready for Shabbat. Discover how this family honours their Jewish faith with tradition and customs.
Shabbat Light
With its large illustrations and clean, clear lines, Shabbat Light makes a beautiful visual introduction to Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) and Havdalah (the Saturday evening ceremony that separates Shabbat from the beginning of the new week) . With the sunset on Friday night and the appearance of stars on the following evening, with the kindling of Shabbat candles and the extinguishing of a Havdalah candle, this book shows how light marks the start and finish of the Jewish Sabbath.
Sign Lanuage Shabbat
The children in this book sign words for things people do on Shabbat, such as eat challah, drink wine or grape juice, sing Shabbat songs, and (of course!) read books. Shabbat Shalom!
Practicing Sign Language can be great fun.