1st & 2nd Grade Books > Seven Good Years

Seven Good Years

Written by: Shoham Smith Illustrated by: Eitan Eloa Kinneret Publishing House

To be distributed in November/Kislev

What would you do with sudden wealth? A poor couple receive golden coins from a magical man, but for a limited time – just seven years. When these are over, it seems that nothing has changed in the lives of these poor man and woman. Or has it? Was anything left of the treasure to last for the next seven years? This story is an adaptation of I.L. Peretz’s tale of the value of learning and the acquisition of wisdom.

Family Activities

What would you do with sudden wealth? A poor couple receive golden coins from a magical man, but for a limited time – just seven years. When these are over, it seems that nothing has changed in the lives of these poor man and woman. Or has it? Was anything left of the treasure to last for the ...

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Classroom Activities

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Seven Good Years

Written by: Shoham Smith
Illustrated by: Eitan Eloa

Suggestions for Family Activities
You can buy almost anything if you get a pile of golden coins, but Cyril and Tevye choose to acquire just one thing: Knowledge for their children. They realize that the golden coins were given to them only for seven years, whereas education is a gift that lasts much longer.

For wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant unto your soul
(Proverbs 2:10)

Seven Good Years is an adaptation for children of I. L. Peretz’s The Deposit [HaPikadon]. Isaac Leib Peretz (1852–1915) was a Jewish author who lived in Poland. His books and stories in both Yiddish and Hebrew were often inspired by Jewish folktales. In his writing, he frequently described the life of the Jewish community in Eastern Europe warmly and affectionately, sympathizing with the tough lives of commoners.

Arts & crafts, songs and other activities are available on the Sifriyat Pijama Pinterest page

פעילות בחיק המשפחה

  • Listening to a story If you scan the QR code, you will be able to hear the soundtrack of the story. You can listen to it together at home, while traveling, or anytime and anywhere you choose.
  • A discussion on choosing and investing You may want to discuss Cyril and Tevye’s choice: Why do you think they chose not to use all the gold? Did that surprise you? Why, in your opinion, did they decide to invest the gold in schooling?
  • Illustrations – Where is the goat? The goat is by Cyril and Tevye’s side throughout the book. You may enjoy looking for the goat in the illustrations: What is it doing? What is its connection to the family? How about trying to tell the story from the goat’s point of view? What happens to it as the book progresses?
  • A game of treasure hunt Gather several small gifts that you would like to give your family: A drawing, greeting card, or item. Take turns hiding your gifts and having the rest of your family look for the treasure using clues: “Near and far”, “hot and cold”, or arrows placed around the house.

רעיונות לשילוב הספר בגן

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