Jonathan Shmidt Chapman – författare

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.

"A won­der­ful com­pi­la­tion of the foun­da­tion­al sto­ries of the Jew­ish peo­ple, one that can be used both in edu­ca­tion­al set­tings and at home." —Jewish Book Council"Masterful job...just the right size for little hands." —Association of Jewish Libraries30 Bible stories you want your children to know, retold just for them. Taken from the first five books of the Bible, the stories of In the Beginning: My Storybook Bible are retold to emphasize a progressive approach to religious traditions, both Jewish and Christian. The book Includes a balance of women's and men's stories, treats gender roles with equality, and focuses on what the Bible teaches us about universal values such as kindness, compromise, inclusion and gratitude. Stories of Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah's ark, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph and his brothers, the Exodus from Egypt and more are told with child development in mind, allowing young children to encounter potentially difficult biblical topics in ways appropriate to their age and understanding.Beautifully illustrated and presented in a size just right for little hands, In the Beginning: My Storybook Bible makes a great book to present to young students as they begin their religious education, or a lovely gift for Hanukkah or Christmas.