Kindergarten Books > If Only

If Only

Written by: Yoram Taharlev / Illustrated by: Orit Bergman / Publisher: Yedioth Books

Distribution: January 2021

The kangaroo baby wishes he was the son of a leopard, the leopard’s son would prefer a lion for a father, and the lion cub would also prefer a different dad. A funny, rhyming book in which, finally, everyone finds reasons to be satisfied with what they have, because “There’s one thing you should remember, I say! If you have a brain, you can think of a way, to find something happy in every day.”

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Family Activities

The kangaroo cub in this book is peeping out from his mother's pouch, and comparing her to other mothers and fathers. Going out into the world is part of the development process that young children go through: they slowly look out beyond their immediate circle, examine new phenomena, and compare ...

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Classroom Activities

If Only

Written by: Yoram Taharlev

Illustrated by: Orit Bergman

 

Dear Parents,

The kangaroo cub in this book is peeping out from his mother's pouch, and comparing her to other mothers and fathers. Going out into the world is part of the development process that young children go through: they slowly look out beyond their immediate circle, examine new phenomena, and compare themselves to others. It is human nature to compare and focus on what we are missing: both children and adults often find that the grass seems greener on the other side. But is it?

The Mishna sages summed this notion up as follows:

Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot

[Ethics of the Fathers, 4:1]

 

How can we find joy in our lives? If Only suggests that we smile, be hopeful and optimistic, for we alone can choose our outlook and the way we view ourselves.

 

Reading together, experiencing together

פעילות בחיק המשפחה

  • Discussion "A good family is powerful … You will always find a reason to be happy" – you may want to discuss and discover what we like about our families, and what we enjoy doing together.
  • Complimenting your family You may enjoy relaxing together, and starting a round of compliments in which you each say something kind to the other.
  • Guessing the animals One family member can make the sound of an animal, or draw a picture of it, imitate it, or give some other kind of clue about it – and the rest can try to guess which animal they were hinting at! Sound – imitate the sound made by this animal Pantomime – act the animal out, walk like it or try to look like it Picture – show or draw a small part of the animal: a tail, wing or foot. Clue – describe some detail about the animal: where it lives, what it looks like, or the sound it makes. Couldn't guess? Help each other by providing additional clues.

רעיונות לשילוב הספר בגן

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