#noodlenutsclassickidlit

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If you're a fan of the classic "Caps For Sale", you're absolutely going to love "Yossi and the Monkeys: A Shavuot Story" (2017) by Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod, illustrated by Shirley Waisman, our final book for Shavuot, the Jewish holiday that starts tonight! Yossi, a caring husband and father, is very upset that he is too poor to provide his family the means to celebrate Shavuot with traditional foods, etc. His wife, a talented craftswoman, suggests that he sell some of the beautiful kippahs (skullcaps worn mostly by religiously observant Jewish men) that she makes to raise money for the family. But when Yossi runs into a mischievous monkey on his way to sell his wares, nothing goes exactly according to plan... A wonderfully playful holiday story! 🐒 🐒 🐒 #noodlenutsclassickidlit #yossiandthemonkey #AShavuotStory #JenniferTziviaMacLeod #ShirleyWaisman #JewishNoodlenuts #Shavuos #Shavuot #CapsForSale #JewishBooks #JewishKids #JewishFamily #HolidayBooks #Holiday #JewishHoliday #LearningAtHome #LearningCultures #inclusion #inclusionmatters #childrensbooks #EarlyLearning #TeacherIdeas https://www.instagram.com/p/CAyDFJTnYNR/?igshid=1xean9l0mb5ut

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Passover is eight days long, which is a LOT of holiday to get through, especially with stricter-than-usual dietary restrictions. But while the first and last couple of days are "holy days", the days in the middle are what is known as "chol hamo'ed", regular days in which work and normal activities may resume. For many, since school is usually out, this is the best part of the holiday, and an excuse to go on family outings! In our family, that always meant going to the movies, with a little bag of kosher-for-Passover snacks because we couldn't have popcorn that week. "Matzah Ball: A Pass Over Story" by Mindy A. Portnoy, illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn, is a fun book about a little boy's traditional Passover trip to the baseball game, to see the Baltimore Orioles play. Armed with "embarrassing" traditional foods that his mum has packed forhis lunch, but that his non-Jewish companions are eager to try, he soon deals with the challenges of not being able to eat what IS available at the ballpark ... and the solution that presents itself is quite a surprise. A lovely intergenerational tale that will feel familiar to traditional Jews on this holiday, and give a peek into our cultural experiences to others. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #NoodlenutsClassicKidLit #JewishNoodlenuts #NoodlenutsPassover #MatzahBallAPassoverStory #MindyAvraPortnoy #KatherineJanusKahn #passover #Pesach #pastime #baseball #baltimoreorioles #CamdenYards #passoverfood #pesachfood #JewishLife #JewishKid #EbbetsField #ChildrensBooks #kidsbookswelove #booksofig #booksofinstagram #childhoodmemories https://www.instagram.com/p/B-2YcUwHQaP/?igshid=dbys58zix5a2

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As I've mentioned before, the ritual holiday meal for Passover, which this year happened last night and again tonight, is known as the seder, a Hebrew word which literally means "order". In this case, it is a reference to the order in which we recreate various traditions every year, each of them a meaningful reference to the story of our Exodus from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land of Israel. These include everything from the telling of the story itself; to eating vegetables dipped in saltwater (to remember the tears of our people); and eating a delicious mush made of apples, honey and wine called "charoset", meant to recall the mortar between the bricks that we were forced to use to build the pyramids. The seder is guided by a book called a "haggadah" - similar to a prayerbook, but with all of the stories, songs, prayers and rituals to be followed for the evening. There are dozens (hundreds?) of different ones, in different languages, reflecting different family and cultural influences. But sometimes it can be difficult for children to feel included when the haggadah is clearly written mostly for the grownups leading the seder. Once again, Sylvia Rouss and Katherine Janus Kahn have created something so special, then, with their "Sammy Spider's First Haggadah" (2007). Rather than the usual storybook, this is a simplified version of the seder for young children. It includes the story of the Exodus explained in terms accessible to little ones; Passover songs about the various rituals set to familiar tunes such as "London Bridge" and "Pop Goes The Weasel"; and all of the important prayers taught in English and Hebrew. There is more, but that alone should give you an idea of how wonderful this is! If you're looking to teach your child about this beautiful Jewish tradition, or looking for an accessible haggadah for young kids, I highly recommend this one! Available electronically, too (mine came from the library)! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #NoodlenutsClassicKidLit #NoodlenutsPassover #JewishNoodlenuts #SammySpidersFirstHaggadah #SylviaRouss #KatherineJanusKahn #Pesach #Passover #Haggadah #seder #sederplate #sedertable #pesachsameach #passovertable #learnaboutjudaism https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xJ58MnN8x/?igshid=kxz7hpd2gzrz

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One more day until Passover, but still so much to learn, and so many wonderful stories! It's a good thing the holiday lasts for eight days... Today I thought we'd look at that quintessential food that everyone associates with Passover: matzah! Unleavened bread that appears (and tastes) much like a large cracker, matzah is central to the story of the Israelite slaves' exodus from Egypt. We're told that they left in such a hurry that they didn't even have time to bake bread for the journey. Instead, the dough they had prepared was baked by the heat of the sun on their backs, and became matzah. "The Mouse in the Matzah Factory" (1983) by Francine Medoff was originally illustrated by David Goldstein, but this edition was updated in 2003 with all-new artwork by Nicole in den Bosch. It's a wonderful story about how matzah is made, starting from specially supervised wheat fields, as seen through the eyes of a particularly curious mouse. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and highly recommend it as a great way to learn about both a traditional Jewish food and where our food comes from (hint: not the supermarket shelf!). My own copy was an e-book from the Toronto Public Library, so be sure to check yours to see if it's available to you online!! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #NoodlenutsClassicKidLit #JewishNoodlenuts #NoodlenutsPassover #TheMouseInTheMatzahFactory #FrancineMedoff #NicoleInDenBosch #DavidGoldstein #HowMatzahIsMade #matzah #matza #matzo #matzoh #LearnAboutJudaism #Pesach #Passover #Jewish #learningeveryday #learningnewthings #waldorf #reggioinspired #childrensbooks #tpl #jewishholiday https://www.instagram.com/p/B-sPzNLnLky/?igshid=ixbpys9lokww

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Once again, it just wouldn't be a holiday roundup at Noodlenuts if we didn't include Sylvia Rouss and Katherine Janus Kahn's Sammy Spider series! Simple, colourful, visually striking, "Sammy Spider's First Passover" (1995) does a wonderful job of introducing preschoolers to the preparations and traditions involved in the Passover holiday, with some added basic intros to shapes as well. I love this series for making holidays accessible! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #JewishNoodlenuts #NoodlenutsPassover #SammySpidersFirstPassover #SylviaRouss #katherinejanuskahn #shapes #learningshapes #sammyspider #Passover #PassoverSeder #Pesach #passoverfood #Jewish #alwayslearning #learnaboutjudaism #jewishlearning #familylife #picturebook #childrensbook #learningisfun #jewishkid https://www.instagram.com/p/B-kLckWH2WX/?igshid=xr195dmp8n4c

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With all the upheaval in the world right now, you may have noticed that beyond the basic explanations of the upcoming Passover holiday, I've been doing my best to find books that will also help you and your kids explore some of the things they're currently facing. In light of a holiday that is all about upheaval and change, after all, it makes a lot of sense. Today's pick, "Nachshon, Who Was Afraid To Swim: A Passover Story" (2009), by Deborah Bodin Cohen, is one that I own, and has been one of my personal favourites for many years. For one thing, artist Jago's incredible illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and it's almost worth getting the book just for his richly coloured, distinctive depiction of Ancient Egypt. But even more than that, it's a beautiful story about bravery. In Jewish rabbinic tradition, Nachshon is the young man who was the first to enter the waters of the Red Sea as the Jews fled their enslavement in Egypt, even before Moses fully parted the waters. This tale gives Nachshon a backstory, as it were, as a well-liked and courageous young man determined to help his community, but whose ONLY FEAR is ... swimming. And when the stakes are highest, it is that one fear he will have to learn to confront. This is a fabulous book for any kid, both to learn more about Jewish history and the history of our exile in Egypt which led to the Passover story, and more broadly to discuss themes of courage and facing those things that scare us but may lead to something better. Available as an e-book. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #JewishNoodlenuts #noodlenutspassover #nachshonwhowasafraidtoswim #apassoverstory #deborahbodincohen #jago #passover #pesach #jewishteacher #learnaboutjudaism #passover2020 #passoverstory #jewishhistory #montessoriteachers #learning #learningathome #montessorieducation #teachingkids #jewishbooks #Jewish #Judaism https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cpmaig31v/?igshid=1rwsnpjprfo2u

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The Passover seder, the ritual holiday meal that kicks off the first two nights of this eight day holiday every spring, is a BIG DEAL, and almost always an occasion for family and friends to gather. In fact, it is considered a particularly good deal to invite strangers or those who are alone to join you. This year most seders are going to be significantly smaller, for obvious reasons. But it seems to me that it's a perfect time to reminisce about happier occasions, and Deborah Uchill Miller's "Only Nine Chairs: A Tall Tale for Passover" (1982) is the perfect read-aloud for that! Illustrated in a delightfully cartoony style by Karen Ostrove, Only Nine Chairs tells the Seuss-style zany rhyming story of a family expecting nineteen guests for their seder, but with not nearly enough places for everyone to sit. As you can imagine, the solutions are imaginative, but not particularly sensible! A lovely, funny tale, sure to bring laughs a tough time. I got my copy as an e-book from the local library, so be sure to check yours, as they may have it for you to enjoy even in quarantine! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #jewishnoodlenuts #noodlenutspassover #onlyninechairs #atalltaleforpassover #deborahuchillmiller #karenostrove #passover #pesach #passoverseder #Jewish #pesach2020 #rhymingstories #reading #familygoals #familyholiday #familytogether #childhoodmemories #readtoyourkids #oldbooks #kidslibrary https://www.instagram.com/p/B-VUVp5HUbI/?igshid=1sgl30z2hwxk1

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You'd think I would learn my lesson! I keep insisting that I don't like cumulative stories, and then being proven completely wrong! In this latest instance, Abby Levine's "This Is The Matzah" (2005), illustrated beautifully by Paige Billin-Frye, has fast become one of my new favourite Passover read-alouds. A couple of pages of extensive information about the Passover holiday (or Pesach as it is called in Hebrew), complete with pronunciation guides, lead into a bouncily rhyming story told loosely in the classic style of This Is The House That Jack Built. Covering everything from family preparations and traditions, to the historical aspect, all in a fun, highly readable rhyme, this is a wonderful way to introduce preschoolers or young school-aged children to this celebration with a genuinely enjoyable story. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #JewishNoodlenuts #noodlenutspassover #thisisthematzah #abbylevine #paigebillinfrye #paigebillinfryeillustration #passover #pesach #matzah #matza #matzo #matzahlasagna #charoset #maror #karpas #sederplate #pesachprep #readaloudtime #storytime #jewishmontessori #montessoriteacher https://www.instagram.com/p/B-QUwUmnLJS/?igshid=14rq3zjli9sio

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Looking for a thorough, entertaining and informative, top-to-bottom explanation of Passover? Like the rest of this series, "All About Passover" (2000) by Judyth Groner and Madeline Wikler stands the test of time. It's a great book that covers everything you could possibly want to know about this holiday, and a few things you probably wouldn't think to ask! From the story of the Exodus from Egypt, to what chametz and matzah are, to why we give tzedakah (donations to charity) on Passover, it's a wonderful resource for school-aged children. Kinny Kreiswirth's illustrations have a fun retro feel about them while still being beautiful to look at. This is a great book for learning a LOT about a major Jewish celebration! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #JewishNoodlenuts #noodlenutspassover #allaboutpassover #judythgroner #madelinewikler #kinnykreiswirth #tzedakah #chametz #passover #pesach #jewishholiday #seder #sederplate #exodus #haggadah #jewishmontessori #montessorihomeschool #holidaysathome #bookstagram #jewishhomeschool #learn #learnsomethingnew https://www.instagram.com/p/B-K01ddH_0r/?igshid=12rg44jf02r1u

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Let the Passover Book Roundup begin! For most families, the Passover seders - the two ritual feasts that mark the beginning of this hugely significant holiday -are going to be a lot quieter than usual this year. Normally a time when extended families gather by the tens and dozens, tables pushed together to make room for more aunts, uncles, cousins, etc., this year people will be very different, with celebrations limited to the immediate family with whom we are isolating. However, that doesn't mean that we can't make these celebrations joyous and fun! If anything it's more important than ever to get creative! That's why the first book I'm sharing for the holiday is Tilda Balsley's "Let My People Go!" (2008), illustrated by Ilene Richard. A perfect addition to any family's seder, this short, silly, rhyming tale of the Jews' exodus from Egypt (aka The Passover Story, whose recounting is the cornerstone of the seder), it's even divided up and colour-coded to be performed as reader's theatre!! So grab yourself a copy online (link in bio!) and enjoy the silliness with your kids of performing your laughing hearts out at the seder table this year. A guaranteed mood booster for all! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #JewishNoodlenuts #noodlenutspassover #letmypeoplego #tildabalsley #ilenerichard #passover #pesach #passoverseder #seder #readerstheater #readerstheatre #exodus #exodusfromegypt #moses #jewishkids #jewishfamilies #inclusionmatters #inclusivebooks #jewishholiday #stayhome https://www.instagram.com/p/B-FlODZHPPT/?igshid=thresb1mjwbs

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More silliness for difficult times! Before there was the well-known "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs", another story of giant food delighted children everywhere! Some parents may be old enough to remember author-illustrator John Vernon Lord's "The Giant Jam Sandwich" (1972), with additional verses by Janet Burroway. This wonderful rhyming story tells of a town beset by a 4 million wasps, and the over-the-top solution they come up with to get rid of them. A great rhyming read-aloud to distract on a dreary day! ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #thegiantjamsandwich #johnvernonlord #janetburroway #piccolopicturebooks #jonathancape #classicchildrensbooks #classickidsbooks #childhoodfavourites #readinglist #childhoodunplugged #magicofchildhood #booktime #readalouds #readaloudfamily #childrensbook #childrensbookillustration #bookcollector #englishbooksforkids #vintagebook https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ATYDVnCvx/?igshid=15ai9i2n4s67a

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In need of some serious escapism with everything that's been going on lately? I have just the thing for you! William Joyce's "Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures With the Family Lazardo" (1988) is the ultimate over-the-top, 'round-the-world family adventure story. Originally written in 1988, and expanded with 16 extra pages in 1995, it tells the tale of a globe-trotting family and the pet dinosaur they pick up on their travels. And while I'll admit to having been a bit uncomfortable about the vaguely racist "exotically-named manservant from far away" trope (though it is never wielded in a derogatory manner, and indeed, the character hardly appears at all), overall the story has aged well, and the retro-style illustrations are a good jumping-off point for discussions with kids about what point in time they think this clearly fictional story was meant to be set in ... A good fantastical tale to lose yourselves in on a rainy late-winter day. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #dinosaurbob #dinosaurbobandhisadventureswiththefamilylazardo #williamjoyce #williamjoycebooks #retroaesthetic #retroillustration #dinosaurbook #dinosaur #familystories #family #familyiseverything #kidslit #goodbook #kidsbookstagram #oldbooks #whattoread #beautifulbooks #kidsbookillustration #picturebookillustration #useyourimagination #kidslovereading https://www.instagram.com/p/B92Z1IcHFp0/?igshid=bh2kypd1g3v

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As we all cope with the stress of the current Coronavirus pandemic and all of its attendant unknowns, I thought that it would be a good time to share one of my favourite enduring true stories from a previous time of turmoil - one which, in this case, brought two animals together in a most beautiful and unexpected way. "Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship" (2006), by Isabella and Craig Hatkoff and Paula Kahumbu, with images by Peter Greste, tells the amazing story of baby hippo Owen, separated from his mother and stranded when the horrendous tsunami of 2004 hit Kenya. Upon his rescue and transfer to an animal sanctuary, lovely Owen decided that the only animal worthy of taking his mummy's place was ... 130-year-old tortoise Mzee!! And so began the most unlikely and wonderful of mutual adoration societies. A poignant reminder to look for solace in each otherin difficult times, no matter our surface differences, this book has a longer text suitable to school-aged kids, but was very much enjoyed by my preschooler nieces when we read it, thanks to the gorgeous photographs. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #owenandmzee #isabellahatkoff #craighatkoff #paulakahumbu #petergreste #unlikelyanimalfriends #unlikelyfriends #unlikelyfriendships #unlikelyanimalfriendships #hippo #babyhippo #tortoise #aldabratortoise #hallerpark #tsunami #montessoriathome #montessorikids #animalstories #homeschool #scienceforkids #readinglist #homeeducation https://www.instagram.com/p/B9xFc9bHi96/?igshid=1j037ihfjecw9

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When it comes to board books for wee ones, right up there with the hilarity of Sandra Boynton, for me, are the brightly coloured books produced by author-illustrator Todd Parr. Along with some wonderful books addressing family, feelings, and other important topics, I think my absolute favourites are Parr's whimsical forays into flat-out silliness, like "Underwear Do's and Don'ts" (1999). With his trademark childlike artwork, all primary colours, stick figures, and bold black outlines, Parr takes us through a series of ridiculously silly "rules" about what to do with underwear that will have kids and adults alike in fits of giggles. This is definitely a book with major re-reading potential, so be prepared to have it requested regularly! 😂 ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #underweardosanddonts #toddparr #toddparrbooks #littlebrownbooksforyoungreaders #boardbooks #booksforkids #booksfortoddlers #90sbooks #momlife #kidsofinstagram #earlyliteracy #bookobsessed #picturebooks #raisingareader #bestkidsbooks #babylibrary #toddlerlife #toddlermomlife #preschoolisfun #toddlerfun https://www.instagram.com/p/B9mnAdxnXmZ/?igshid=ejneit20jny1

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As we get closer to Purim, which starts tomorrow night and lasts until Tuesday night, here's another older story that, among other things, celebrates the Purim traditions of silliness, turning everything on its proverbial ear, and playing good-natured pranks to celebrate. In "The Purim Surprise" (2003) by Lesley Simpson and illustrator Peter Church, Naomi and her mother have just moved to a new town, and the little girl is sure that Purim and her upcoming birthday are going to be a bust in a town where everyone is a stranger. But as her mother leads her through some increasingly entertaining preparations for the holiday, it seems like something more is afoot. And perhaps Naomi's Purim birthday isn't quite as doomed as she thinks ... ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #JewishNoodlenuts #thepurimsurprise #lesleysimpson #peterchurch #purim🎭 #purim #purim2020 #purimbooks #jewishkidsbooks #jewishandproud #newintown #purimbirthday #multicultural #singleparent #singleparenting #jewishholiday #Jew #jewishwomen #jewishgirls https://www.instagram.com/p/B9fPHlwHOpJ/?igshid=1txccpz8ykwmw

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As with the other holiday books in this adorable series by Latifa Berry Kropf and Tod Cohen, I love "It's Purim Time!" (2005) as a very simple, lively introduction to the holiday for toddlers and preschoolers through a context of familiar classroom or daycare activities. Kids will love following along through Cohen's photographs as a young class prepares for Purim by finding costumes to act out the various characters in the Purim story; building a castle out of blocks for King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther; making noisemakers (there are instructions in the back of the book to make your own, and they're bird-friendly!); and eating hamantaschen, traditional Purim cookies. An excellent way to introduce the holiday to younger kids without overwhelming them. ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutsclassickidlit #JewishNoodlenuts #noodlenutspurim #itspurimtime #latifaberrykropf #todcohen #todcohenphotography #purim2020 #purim #purimbooks #shalachmanos #mishloachmanot #jewishmontessori #cultureintheclassroom #preschoolclassroom #teacherideas #lessonplanning #jewish #jewishculture #diversebooksforkids #holidayart #holidays https://www.instagram.com/p/B9SVbdSHy1i/?igshid=nnfgt64nu8aj