Read Alouds For Your 2-4 Year-Olds.

When I made up this week's list of books, I tried to pick books that you will not mind reading to your children at least a few hundred times! By the time you really need a break, I hope your child will have heard the book often enough to be able to "read" it to you.

דגדוגים/ Tickles by דתיה בן דור / Datia Ben- Dor helps you have fun with your baby, toddler, and preschooler.  You will find 14 finger play songs in this book.  Ben-Dor explains the hand movements that go with the songs.  Infant - Age 4.

Miriam goes exploring to find out what an ocean looks like.  Is it little or big?  Is it square or triangle shaped?   Read מרים והים / Miriam and the Ocean by מיריק שניר / Mirik Snir to find out   what Miriam finds  at the end of the story! Ages 2  1/2-4.

Your children will love the bright watercolor illustrations in

 שאול החתול : אני אוהב לצעד בנעלים לבנות / Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by
  אריק ליטוין / Eric Litwin.  We meet Pete the Cat who is happily walking down the street in his new white shoes.  His shoes don't stay white for long but Pete finds something positive to say each time his shoes turn a different color.  Ages 2 1/2-4.

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes was originally written in English.  It was on  the New York Times Bestseller list for many weeks and it has won several awards.  

בוקר בהיר אחד/ One Fine Morning by אורה אייל/ Ora Ayal was a favorite book of all my children. One fine summer day a boy is walking to his grandmother's house and suddenly what does he find on the way?  The simple black and white illustrations add so much to the text. Ages 2-4.

It's the perfect time of year to read לוין קופניס/ Levin Kipnis's book 

 המטריה הגדולה של אבא/ Dad's Big Umbrella. In this book, a little boy goes to pre-school protected from the rain by his father's giant umbrella.  On the way, he picks up several friends, a dog, and cat. Ages 3-4.

 On the same subject, I think you will enjoy listening to the song ילדה ומטריה / A Girl and an  Umbrella.  The music and lyrics are by Datia Ben-Dor  ( who wrote the book Tickles)  and the song is sung by Uzi Hitman.

Even though my older daughter was born in Israel, she only really started learning Hebrew when she began preschool at age 3. By Hanukkah time,  she really started picking up the language.  So I decided it was time to buy her first Hebrew book.  I remember spending at least an hour going through every children's book in the bookstore looking for the perfect book.  The winner was הצב של אורן / Oren's Turtle by מירה מאיר / Mira Meir! 

Oren very much wants a turtle.  He and his father go looking for one in the forest but are unsuccessful.  Happily, the next morning Oren's mother finds a turtle and brings it to Oren's pre-school.  So what is this adorable turtle going to do in preschool? Ages 3-5.





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Tip no. 12

 I just  read a book that  I immediately wanted to  share with you in this tip .   סוד של מישהו אחר / Someone  Else's Secret by אורלי רובינשטיין קצפ  / Orly Rubenshtein Catsap is the story of  Gaya and Gil.  The two nine year-olds are best friends. One day, Gil sees bruises on Gaya's arms and back and finds out that Gaya's mother is beating her.  Gaya begs her not to tell anyone.  Keeping the secret is very difficult for Gil and her family understands that something is troubling her.  In the end, her grandmother  gently persuades Gil  to tell her what's wrong.  Her grandmother had explained to her that if a friend is in danger , it's very  important to tell an adult. The gentle illustrations add so much to this short (30 page)book.  Ages 7-8.