Kindergarten Books > Land of Preschool Children

Land of Preschool Children

Written by Emunah Alon / Illustrated by Menachem Halberstadt / Publisher: Kor'im

Distribution: March 2018; 60,000 copies in 2012

The children in a kindergarten class are busy getting ready for Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut) and have built their own country out of blocks. How will the children respond when a new friend asks to join their ready-made “country”?  The story illustrates the complexity of the ingathering of the exiles and immigrant absorption – the realization of Jewish prayers throughout the ages: “Gather us together in our country from all corners of the earth.” Parent suggestions focus on including newcomers — in the world of children and in the country at large.

Family Activities

The children in a kindergarten class are busy getting ready for Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut) and have built their own country out of blocks. How will the children respond when a new friend asks to join their ready-made "country"?  The story illustrates the complexity of the ingathering of the ...

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Classroom Activities

Dear Parents

The children in a kindergarten class are busy getting ready for Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut) and have built their own country out of blocks. How will the children respond when a new friend asks to join their ready-made "country"?  The story illustrates the complexity of the ingathering of the exiles and immigrant absorption – the realization of Jewish prayers throughout the ages: “Gather us together in our country from all corners of the earth.” Parent suggestions focus on including newcomers -- in the world of children and in the country at large.

Ingathering of the Exiles and the Establishment of the State of Israel 

“Gather us together in our country from all corners of the earth.” (from the Amidah prayer)

Throughout the generations Jews prayed for the day when they would be able to return to the land of Israel and establish an independent state.  This was their great dream.  From the beginning of Zionism many Jews from all over the world decided to make aliyah to Israel, to inhabit the land, "to build and to be built" in it.  On May 14, 1948 the Zionist dream was realized: The independent State of Israel was established!

The young State of Israel opened its gates to immigrants from the Diaspora.  Over the years millions of olim joined the state, despite hard times, poverty and conflict.  It has been said that "from oleh to oleh, our strength grows". Each immigrant contributed his or her part, and the state grew and flourished. It is not easy to include new friends in an existing group. And yet, the diversity of people, languages, flavors and traditions that each wave of immigration brought to the country make Israel a fascinating, creative society, in which there are many different ways of life, perspectives, and opportunities to continue to flourish.

פעילות בחיק המשפחה

  • Menachem Halberstadt's wonderful illustrations speak to the adults reading the story as well as the children, and hint at well-known historical personae and experiences.  Even the teddy bear is wearing a hat from the days of the Palmach! Look closely at the illustrations together with your child and share the country's history with them. See if you can find pictures depicting Theodore Herzl, David Ben Gurion, and dancing the hora in the streets of Tel Aviv.
  • Adi points to some pictures of famous photographs depicting stories of immigrants.  Ask your child to show you these pictures and try to guess from which countries the different immigrants came.  You can take out an atlas or map of the world, and look for the places where your family lived throughout the generations and where you have relatives outside Israel today.
  • The children in the story act out an imaginary version of "building the country", which initiated in the make-believe corner of the kindergarten. Your child can also dress up in costume and choose a task in building the country.
  • You too can "build a country".  Let your imagination run wild: How will you call your country? Who will live in it? Which buildings are needed? Will it have a flag? You are invited to send us a photograph of the country you created, and we'll post the picture on the Sifriyat Pijama website pj. .
  • It is not always easy to join in to an existing group and find your role in it.  The story can provide an opportunity for you and your child to discuss the emotions of the characters in the book, and for you to share with them your own life experiences – in your personal life, and on the national level.
  • The building of the State of Israel is a process that has not come to an end, and more new immigrants are likely to join the country in the future.  David, the new oleh in the story, brings a toy plane with him to the game.  What would you propose new immigrants bring with them to continue building and improving the state?
  • A number of well-known songs greet new olim as they arrive in Israel.  You can organize a sing-along one evening in your home and sing such favorites as "Heveinu shalom aleichem", "Am Yisrael Chai", and "Hineh ma tov u ma na'im".

רעיונות לשילוב הספר בגן

From the Field

Государство детскосадовцев

ЭмунаАлон

Дорогие родители!

"Кто строил и кто сажал? Все вместе."  Дети в детском саду создали "государство" из кубиков и лего и устроили праздник, похожий на  День Независимости  Государства  Израиль!  Но теперь, когда все построено, как принять того, кто не участвовал в строительстве? Рассказ "Государство детскосадовцев " посвящен теме принадлежности и места в израильском обществе и государстве для всех, как маленьких, так и больших.

Собирание диаспор и создание Государства Израиль.

 И СОБЕРИ НАС, ВСЕХ ВМЕСТЕ, С ЧЕТЫРЕХ СТОРОН СВЕТА В НАШЕЙ ЗЕМЛЕ (из молитвы Шмонэ – Эсре). На протяжение веков молились евреи о том дне, в который они смогут вернуться в Эрец Исраэль и создать там свое независимое государство. Это было их большой мечтой. С началом сионизма многие евреи решили подняться в Эрец Исраэль и заселить ее. В пятницу 14 мая 1948 года мечта исполнилась: было объявлено о создании  Государства Израиль. Молодое государство распахнуло двери и, несмотря на трудности, бедность и разногласия уже за первые годы приехали в страну миллионы репатриантов со всех концов Земли. В те годы было принято говорить "С каждым поднявшимся в страну поднимается  наша мощь". Каждый вносил свою долю, и так было построено государство.  Не легко принять новых членов в уже существующее общество и найти для всех место. И тем не менее именно разнообразие человеческих типов,  множество языков, вкусов и традиций, которые принесли с собой репатрианты, создают в Израиле интересное и творческое сообщество, в котором есть разные образы жизни, взгляды и разные возможности роста и развития.

Занятия в кругу семьи

    Иллюстрации "сигналят" также и взрослым и содержат намеки на исторические события и личности. Даже на медвежонке головной убор эпохи Пальмаха. Рассмотрите иллюстрации вместе с детьми и расскажите им  о таких людях и событиях, как Герцель, провидец  еврейского государства, Бен Гурион, провозгласивший создание Государства Израиль, о людях, которые после этого танцевали  от радости  на улицах и т.д.

    Маленькая Ади указывает на рисунки, рассказывающие о репатриации в Израиль. Попросите ваших детей найти на этих рисунках детей и попробовать догадаться, из каких стран они приехали. Рассмотрите вместе атлас или карту мира и найдите места, в которых жили поколения вашей семьи и, возможно,  до сих пор живут ваши родственники.

Игра  в "строительство государства" началась с того, что дети нашли коробку с карнавальными костюмами. Предложите своим детям выбрать себе роль  в строительстве государства и сделать себе костюм согласно этой роли.

     Вы тоже можете построить государство: дайте волю своему воображению. Как вы назовете свое государство? Кто в нем будет жить? Какие дома там нужны? Какой там будет флаг? Мы будем рады, если вы пришлете фотографии своего государства нам на адрес  pjisrael@hgf.org.il,  и поместим лучшие на нашем сайте, сайте Пижамной библиотечки.

     Как уже говорилось, не всегда легко присоединиться к уже существующей группе. Побеседуйте с детьми о чувствах детей в рассказе и расскажите им о своем опыте, как личном, так и национальном.

     Строительство государства  -  это длительный процесс, и в будущем к нему присоединятся новые репатрианты. "Новый репатриант"  Давид присоединился к игре с игрушечным самолетом. Что можно посоветовать новым гражданам привезти и сделать, чтобы продолжить строить и совершенствовать государство?

      Израильтяне знают много песен, описывающих встречу новых репатриантов, эти песни еще называют песнями Сохнута. Можно организовать вечер песни и спеть вместе "Хэвейну шалом алейхем", "Хинэматов ума наимшеветахим гам яхад", "Амисраэль хай" и т.п.

    Желаем вам увлекательного чтения и приятной беседы!

המדינה של ילדי הגן

מאת: אמונה אלון  / איורים: מנחם הלברשטט

תרגום לאנגלית של ההצעות להורים המודפסות בדפים האחרונים של הספר

 

Land of Preschool Children / Emunah Alon

Illustrations: Menachem Halberstadt

 

The children in a kindergarten class are busy getting ready for Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut) and have built their own country out of blocks. How will the children respond when a new friend asks to join their ready-made "country"?  The story illustrates the complexity of the ingathering of the exiles and immigrant absorption – the realization of Jewish prayers throughout the ages: “Gather us together in our country from all corners of the earth.” Parent suggestions focus on including newcomers -- in the world of children and in the country at large.

Ingathering of the Exiles and the Establishment of the State of Israel 

“Gather us together in our country from all corners of the earth.” (from the Amidah prayer)

Throughout the generations Jews prayed for the day when they would be able to return to the land of Israel and establish an independent state.  This was their great dream.  From the beginning of Zionism many Jews from all over the world decided to make aliyah to Israel, to inhabit the land, "to build and to be built" in it.  On May 14, 1948 the Zionist dream was realized: The independent State of Israel was established!

The young State of Israel opened its gates to immigrants from the Diaspora.  Over the years millions of olim joined the state, despite hard times, poverty and conflict.  It has been said that "from oleh to oleh, our strength grows". Each immigrant contributed his or her part, and the state grew and flourished. It is not easy to include new friends in an existing group. And yet, the diversity of people, languages, flavors and traditions that each wave of immigration brought to the country make Israel a fascinating, creative society, in which there are many different ways of life, perspectives, and opportunities to continue to flourish.

Family Activities

Menachem Halberstadt's wonderful illustrations speak to the adults reading the story as well as the children, and hint at well-known historical personae and experiences.  Even the teddy bear is wearing a hat from the days of the Palmach! Look closely at the illustrations together with your child and share the country's history with them. See if you can find pictures depicting Theodore Herzl, David Ben Gurion, and dancing the hora in the streets of Tel Aviv.

Adi points to some pictures of famous photographs depicting stories of immigrants.  Ask your child to show you these pictures and try to guess from which countries the different immigrants came.  You can take out an atlas or map of the world, and look for the places where your family lived throughout the generations and where you have relatives outside Israel today.

The children in the story act out an imaginary version of "building the country", which initiated in the make-believe corner of the kindergarten. Your child can also dress up in costume and choose a task in building the country.

You too can "build a country".  Let your imagination run wild: How will you call your country? Who will live in it? Which buildings are needed? Will it have a flag? You are invited to send us a photograph of the country you created, and we'll post the picture on the Sifriyat Pijama website pj. .

It is not always easy to join in to an existing group and find your role in it.  The story can provide an opportunity for you and your child to discuss the emotions of the characters in the book, and for you to share with them your own life experiences – in your personal life, and on the national level.

The building of the State of Israel is a process that has not come to an end, and more new immigrants are likely to join the country in the future.  David, the new oleh in the story, brings a toy plane with him to the game.  What would you propose new immigrants bring with them to continue building and improving the state?

A number of well-known songs greet new olim as they arrive in Israel.  You can organize a sing-along one evening in your home and sing such favorites as "Heveinu shalom aleichem", "Am Yisrael Chai", and "Hineh ma tov u ma na'im".