I love having books in my library that are in some way produced by the kids in the class. For this one, I didn't have a lot of time to put it together because Rosh Hashanah was only a week and a half after school started so I relied heavily on my computer.

You will need:

Paper
Photos of the kids
Markers pr a good graphics program :)
Stapler

Simply make a cover- I titled mine "Shanah Tova My Friends" and glue one photo per page, writing "Shanah Tova _________" on the corresponding pages. Staple the pages together and place in your library.

Little ones particularly love seeing the photos of themselves and it's a great way to reinforce the kids' names.

If you're not too great with faces, or if you're teaching kids who will be together for the first time, this is a great tool to help the kids recognize each other's faces. And even if they do know each other, this book is fun and a great play on Eric Carle's "Brown Bear".

You will need:
Binder Ring
Cardboard sheets
Decorating materials of your choice
Photos of each child
Labels and markers or a computer and printer
Single hole punch

First punch a hole in the same spot of each sheet of cardboard. Next, decorate the sheets with paint or other flat collage materials. I like a simple background for the photos, so I painted the sheets in primary colors. For the cover, because there's no photo and just text, I used colored tape to wrap around creating colored stripes. Next, print labels or write the title, and the text for each page. Finally, place each child's photo onto his/her page and insert the ring through the sheets with the cover at the top of the stack.

Happy reading!!!

Hachai- one of my favorite picture book publishing companies, has released a new book about saving and then spending money right in time for the new school year. Dollars and Sense by Tehilla Deutsch and illustrated by Glenn Zimmer follows a young boy's journey through earning his first $5, and deciding how to spend it. 

"While Mrs. Markowitz was away, young Eli Katz fed her fish and brought in her mail.  Now he’s earned five dollars of his very own!
After giving tzedaka, how will Eli decide to spend his cash?

Drinks, snacks, toys… no matter what he buys, Eli senses that there’s something more satisfying and long-lasting to be found.

When a friend needs a very important favor, clever Eli Katz suddenly realizes how to obtain the one thing that will last him forever.

A great story about dollars, sense, generosity… and the kind of good that money can do!"

This book is a great way to introduce the concept of Tzedakah (Charity) in your classroom as well as at home, and I particularly like the fact that we are able to watch Eli earn the money that he's about to spend.


Other great books to pair with Dollars and Sense when teaching about Tzedakah or money include The Very Best Place for a Penny by Dina Rosenfeld, and Quarters and Dimes, and Nickels and Pennies by Baila Olidort.

Thank you to my 150 or so consistent fans for visiting my site daily, even during  my move when I've been mostly absent!

Since I don't have time for very many crafts, and my hard drive is somewhere between New York and Las Vegas with my thousands of files, I thought I'd do some book shout outs as well as some methodology here.

This is a definite plug as well as a genuine recommendation for 3 books illustrated by artist Marc Lumer. He is actually the one who designed my logo and I love it!!!

His latest book, pictured "Torah Book of Opposites" is a fun and great read for Toddlers. We recently did a review and giveaway of the book that was sponsored by Hachai, the publishing house. The illustrations are fun, the words simple, and it's a great way to reinforce both the Judaic aspect- Torah, as well as the concept of opposites!

Other books Marc has illustrated are Hashem is Here, Hashem is there, Hashem is Truly Everywhere" a whimsical rhyming book taking you to some of the places God can be found; and "The Ballad of the Yarmulka Kid" which is a book going through the Yarmulka song by LA based band Eighth Day. Also fun and quirky- and as a bonus, you get a cd with the song on it to listen as you read. What's really nice, is that the song is fairly slow and not too verbose, so children learning to read can probably follow along.

** Have a book you think I might enjoy reviewing? Just email me at info@playfulpreschool.com

And the winner is.... Comment #4 Rivka! Congratulations!
Hachai Publishers recently released a new title "The Torah Book of Opposites" and they sent me a copy to review, and a copy to give away. Author Nechamy Segal and illustrator Marc Lumer collaborated to create a fun and informative book discussing the Torah's components and what we do with it. It's published as a board book- so it's safe for small hands, but I love that the size of the book is larger, and therefore can actually be used in a classroom without forcing kids to strain their eyes.

The book is a great way to reinforce opposites, as well as to teach about the Torah. If you have older children, you can use the simple phrases as discussion starters. 

Al in all, a great read as well as a fantastic teaching tool! 

Now you can win a copy too!

This contest will end Monday, April 30 at 9:00pm Eastern, and is open internationally.

To enter:

1. Like Hachai, then the photo advertising this book on Facebook and comment back here letting me know that you've done so- This step is required for additional entries

2. Comment on the photo of the book

3. Follow Playful Preschool on Twitter

4. Comment on your favorite blog post from my previous posts telling me what you like about it, and then comment here telling me that you've done so.

Good Luck!