Dear Parents,
When Oren’s mother brings a turtle to kindergarten, all the children want to take care of it. They build it a shelter, give it food, and even bring it some toys! At the end of the visit, the turtle leaves kindergarten, and returns to its natural habitat.
This is a story about reaching out, connecting, and parting.
צער בעלי חיים – Animal Cruelty and Compassion
What do we do when we see animals in nature? How do we learn to keep them safe, and care for them?
The meaning of the Hebrew phrase “צער בעלי חיים” is that one must not harm animals, or cause them unnecessary suffering.
Turtles are not household pets, they are protected animals that belong in nature. This book encourages us to go outside, explore, and discover the wonders of our surroundings. Just like Oren and his father, you and your child can also go to the woods, the park, or even your neighborhood, and look for branches, pinecones, pretty pebbles, and small animals. If you’re lucky, you may even see a turtle! Just do not forget to leave it in its natural habitat!
Oren’s Turtle is the last book on the SPLK list for this year. We hope you have enjoyed the books, and wish you a wonderful summer, and good luck on your transition to your new kindergarten.
Mira Meir 1932–2016
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
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.