Awards

• Winner of Jewish Education Leadership Program 2022 (United States)
• Winner of Jewish Family Education Fellow 2023 (United States)
• Winner of Luminary Award 2019 (United States)
• Winner of Young Pioneer Award 2020 (United States)

Overview

Let There Be Play is the perfect story and activity book to spark children's imaginative exploration of the Bible. This creative approach helps children develop a sense of wonder about the Bible by employing storytelling, dramatic play, arts and crafts. Featuring 54 chapters over 200 pages and focused on stories from Genesis through Deuteronomy, this storybook and activity guide is a rich resource for parents and educators alike. Author Jonathan Shmidt Chapman uses his extensive theater training to inspire cues for imaginative play. Questions and conversation starters help kids relate themes in the Bible stories to their own lives, with a focus on character growth and values. Conversation prompts and activity ideas encourage parents to engage in hands-on play and learning with their children. Each chapter includes biblical citation for the source of the included story, the Hebrew notation for the name of the specific portion, and a materials list that features readily available household items and toys. Parents from both Jewish and Christian traditions can introduce their children ages 4-7 to Bible stories in a fun, accessible way that will feel comfortable whether their families are more religiously observant or more secular. Jewish educators as well as progressive Christian educators will discover fresh, modern ways to teach the Five Books of Moses to young children with sections broken down into convenient weekly portions. Includes a brief overview for adults to the Bible stories told in the book, tips for exploring Bible with younger children, and guidelines for adapting activities for all abilities and learning styles.

Full Product Details

9781681151144

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Author Information

Jonathan Shmidt Chapman is a nationally-recognized leader in the fields of Theater for Young Audiences and Jewish Education. He is the founder of The K’ilu Company, creating projects that activate Jewish early childhood through theater and imaginative play. Jonathan served as founding project director of Aggadah Adventures at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, staging Jewish stories as immersive theater experiences for children and families. He is part of the inaugural cohort of the Mandel Institute’s Jewish Education Leadership Program and a Jewish Education Project Young Pioneers Award recipient. He serves on the theater faculty at Northwestern University, teaching coursework on Sensory Theater. As a writer and director, Jonathan has created new theatrical work for children and families at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and Seattle Children’s Theatre. He holds an M.A. in Educational Theatre from NYU and a B.A. in English Literature/Theatre Arts from Boston University. He currently lives in Northbrook, IL. Hector Borlasca has illustrated many books for children, including The Porridge Pot Goblin and Yiddish Saves the Day. He lives in Morón, Argentina.

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