Children love listening to stories. Whether they’re family stories told around the table, or books read aloud before bedtime or in a group with peers, stories are powerful ways of communication for young people.
In a recent article titled Why Stories Matter for Children’s Learning, literacy professor Peggy Albers explores how stories shape children’s perspectives of the world around them. She found that children learn how to behave, think, and act through story characters, and that the values and attitudes in stories shape children’s perceptions of reality.
Storybooks also activate children’s imaginations and appeal to different interests and learning styles. It’s also a shared social experience that can elicit emotional responses such as laughter, sadness, empathy, and anticipation, all of which encourage social and emotional development.
Of course, reading aloud to children also builds literacy skills, even more so than talking. Research shows that picture books are more likely than adult-child conversations to include uncommon words. Research also shows that the vast majority of time when adults are reading to children, the children are looking at the pictures.
Our new storybooks feature beautiful illustrations that will delight children, whether they’re reading the books to themselves or hearing them read aloud.
|
Avi the Ambulance to the Rescue
In this second book of the Avi the Ambulance series, Avi wants to help people, but his mom, the command car, has assigned him and his medic to restock supplies. On the way to delivering them, there is an emergency, and it’s Avi to the rescue. The series provides a gentle way of introducing young children to emergency care while showing them a slice of Israeli life.
|
 |
|
Babel
Where do children play tower games with tower pieces, wear tower hats and eat tower cakes? In the city of Babel, in this new telling of the epic Bible story.
|
|
|
Oy Vey! Life in a Shoe
A contemporary mash-up of the Mother Goose tale with the traditional Jewish folktale about a family with an overcrowding problem, this high-energy adventure is chock full of animals, humor, whimsy and silliness.
|
|
 |
Sing-Along Alef Bet
Musicians Mama Doni and Eric Lindberg’s upbeat and charming lyrics form the text for this rollicking trip through the alef bet. Readers can sing along as they watch a sister, brother, and their animal friends jump, climb, swing, and twirl through each letter. The illustrations are sophisticated and charming, with hidden Hebrew words, textures, and color that offer a fun introduction to the Hebrew ABC’s.
|
 |
 |
Yosef’s Dream
A young Jewish boy in Ethiopia dreams of flying on Eagle’s wings to a new home. In this story about dreams, choices, and what it means to belong, Yosef and his family choose to fly to Israel, the land of their ancestors—fulfilling their long-held dream.
|
|
As you choose which storybooks to read with children, remember that reading aloud requires preparation. Familiarize yourself with the book – both the illustrations and the story – and practice reading it aloud before you read it to the class. This practicing will not only help you get down basic storytelling techniques such as timing, tone, and gestures, but will also prepare you to point out interesting illustrations and ask questions.
For additional ideas about incorporating stories into your learning plans, turn to Judaism through Children's Books, a resource for parents and educators filled with discussion starters and activities for children of all ages.
