JCC Association's Early Childhood Curriculum Project 'This New Month'

For Children

Most of these books have a common theme of rebuilding and faith in G-d. After suffering the destruction of the Temple, the Jewish people continue to grow and strive towards a time where there is peace for all humankind. Some of the books featured here focus on nature, which is very appropriate during the month of Av, when we spend a lot of time outdoors.

The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco (1993). Published by Philomel Books, New York, NY.

An old style folk-tale, this is an adventure of a grandfather and granddaughter following the trail of a bee to its honey spot. Soon the whole town is following along. When they find and retrieve the honey, the grandfather places a spoonful on a book so that the granddaughter may begin her lifetime of Jewish study appreciating its sweetness.

Behold The Trees by Sue Alexander, Illustrated by Leonid Gore (2001). Published by Scholastic Press, New York.

This book, written for Tu B’Shevat--the holiday of the trees, is also appropriate for the month of Av or any month where you might focus on Israel or nature. The book is part history, part poetry, and all gloriously illustrated.

God In Between by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Illustrated by Sally Sweetland (1998). Published by Jewish Lights Publishing, Woodstock, VT.

This is the story of a town whose inhabitants decide they want to "see" G-d. They overcome many obstacles together in their search. They ultimately discover that while G-d’s presence may not be seen, it is clearly felt all around them.

Old Turtle by Douglas Wood, Watercolors by Cheng-Khee Chee (1992). Published by Pfeifer-Hamilton Publishers, Duluth, MN.

In 1993 "Old Turtle" won awards from the American Booksellers Association and the International Reading Association. Its simple text is deeply moving, and challenges the reader to think about G-d and G-d’s presence all around us. The book clearly shows that the responsibility to take care of the world is ours.

For Early Childhood Educators

There are some great Web sites which provide background information about the month of Av and Tisha B'Av. Here are a few suggested sites:

www.ou.org/chagim/roshchodesh/av

This site, produced by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, features a variety of articles which provide background information about the month of Av, Rosh Chodesh Av and Tisha B'Av in a very clear manner.

www.jajz-ed.org.il/festivls/av

This site, produced by the Jewish Agency for Israel's, Department for Jewish Zionist Education contains a variety of articles about Av, Tisha B'Av and information for educators on how to present Tisha B'Av and related themes to students. Articles include "Jerusalem in Jewish Consciousness", "Tisha B'Av: An Educator's Perspectives", "Tisha B'Av", "Eternal Connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem" and a quiz about Tisha B'Av.

aish.com/holidays/tisha_bav_and_the_3_weeks/last/9av.asp

This site, produced by Aish ha Torah, presents clear information about historic events that happened on the Ninth of Av and details about the way in which Tisha B'Av is observed today.