Purim Is Coming!

I do not know a single child that does not love the holiday of Purim. Free candy? Check. Dress up as your favorite character? Check. No School? Check. Sometimes it can be daunting as an adult to prep for this holiday. Should my mishloach manos have a theme? Do I REALLY need to make hamentashen and am I the worst if I don’t? I personally am not one to judge, I am just a huge fan of free food that comes to my door that I can snack on from now until Pesach. Just in case you are looking for something fun to put you in the holiday spirit, here are some songs and activities to remind yourself that we are celebrating the fact our people were not obliterated, a woman saved the day and we are can eat all the cake and candy we want because it is a mitzvah.

Have a very happy Purim!!

Songs:

Chag Purim:

Chag Purim, Chag Purim, Chag Gadol Hu La’Yehudim, Masechot Ra’ashanim, Shirim v’Rikudim
Chorus: Hava Narisha, Rash, Rash, Rash! Barashanim.

Shoshanat Yakov:

Shoshanat Yaakov, tzahala v’samecha birotam yachad tchelet Mordechai.

T’shuatam hayita lanetzach vetikvatam b’chol dor vador, lehodia shekol kovecha lo yevoshu v’lo yikalmu lanetzach kol hachosim bach.

Arur Haman asher bikesh l’abdi, baruch Mordechai haYehudi. Arura Zeresh, eshet mafchidi, beruchah Eshter ba’adi. Arurim kol hareshaim, beruchim kol hatzadikim. Vegam Charvonah zachur latov.

V’Nahaphoch Hu:

 V’Nahapoch Hu Asher Yishletu Hayehudim Hemah Besonehem

LaYehudim Hayesa Orah:

LaYehudim hayesa orah, v'simcha, v'sasson vi'ykar.

Nosh Nosh A Hamentash:

Nosh Nosh a hamentash

Let’s make a hamentash now (2x)

Pat pat pat the dough with me,

Pat it flat and you will see.

Haman’s Hat was just like that.

Pat pat a hamentash now.

Nosh Nosh a hamentash

Let’s make a hamentash now (2x)

Squeeze and pinch the dough with me,

Squeeze and punch and you will see,

Haman’s hat was just like that.

Let’s squeeze a hamentash now.

Nosh Nosh a hamentash

Let’s make a hamentash now (2x)

Haman’s Hat:

My hat it has three corners, three corners has my hat and had it not three corners it would not be my hat. Use hand motions. My--point to yourself, Hat-touch head, three--put up three fingers, corners--touch elbow. Each time you sing the song leave out a word and just use the hand motion. First leave out my, then hat, then three, then corners. Finish by singing the complete song again.

Purim Song: (Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It)

If you hear the name of Haman stomp your feet. (stomp feet twice) repeat If you hear the name of Haman, if you hear the name of Haman, if you hear the name of Haman stomp your feet (stomp feet twice)

If you hear the name of Esther clap your hands......

If you hear the name of Achashverosh turn around.....

If you hear the name of Mordecai shout hooray...

Acitvities:

 

Hamentashen Recipes:

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1366/jewish/Traditional-Hamantaschen.htm

http://www.marthastewart.com/1055129/chocolate-hamantaschen

Coloring Pages:

http://media.aish.com/documents/Coloring%20Book%20-%20Purim%20(English).pdf

http://www.torahtots.com/holidays/purim/purcolr.htm

Mask Templates:

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/printable-masks

Let's Get Cooking!! Cookbooks For Kids!

Book: What Shall We Cook Today?

Author: Linda Collister, Liz Franklin, Amanda Grant, & Annie Rigg

Publisher: Ryland Peters and Small

Pages: 160

Grade Level: 4th Grade and Up

Rating: 5 Stars

Need some excitement on a snow day or a fresh dessert idea for a sunny day in summer? This cookbook has everything you need! The cookbook is formatted by season to optimize the freshest fruits and vegetables. There is a nice balance between healthy and unhealthy foods and the instructions are very clear as are the ingredients needed.

If cooking is the way you bring your family together, this is the cookbook for you. There are pictures of every recipe so you can see the final product and everything looks delicious! I am really looking forward to spending time in the kitchen with this cookbook!

Book: Cook School

Author: Amanda Grant

Photographer: Susan Bell

Publisher: Ryland Peters and Small

Pages: 128

Grade Level: 1^st Grade and Up

Rating: 3 Stars

Cook School proves you are never too young to get in the kitchen and start cooking! The cookbook is broken down into three age groups; 3-5 years, 5-7 years and 7-11 years, but the recipes can be mixed and matched to make the perfect meal. The introduction discusses in depth the different skills used for cooking, kitchen equipment and there is a “grownups page” at the beginning of each stage to help guide the adults.

Some of the recipes are definitely in the appropriate age category (Ex: Ants on a Log: peanut-butter on celery topped with craisins or raisins for 3-5 year olds) while some don’t fit in as well. (Ex: Crunchy Paprika Chicken for 3-5 year olds). While I understand that adults watch the children while they are in the kitchen, I think any recipe involving an oven should be geared towards older children, who can use an oven without supervision. The recipes are relatively simple but the cookbook is really formatted for an adult to guide children instead of children leading the way on their cooking adventure. The pictures are excellent step-by-step instructions and I cannot wait to make some of the recipes to spruce up meals when I have company!

Book: The Do It Myself Kids' Cookbook

Author: Laurie Goldrich Wolf

Photographer: Bruce Wolf

Publisher: Downtown Bookworks

Pages: 128

Grade Level: 3rd Grade and up

Rating: 5 Stars

Put away those sharp knives and oven mitts – they are not needed to make these yummy creations! The cookbook focuses on sandwiches, snacks, salads, dressings, desserts and drinks that kids can make 100% by themselves. Each recipe is broken down by tools needed (bowls, measuring spoons, etc.), ingredients and any grown-up prep that is required. There are pictures of the tools, ingredients and the step-by-step instructions which is really what makes this a book that older children can use on their own to create meals and desserts they can be proud of.

 

I absolutely love this cookbook and I am using some of the recipes at Cooking Club in the library. Many of the recipes are simple and not the most healthiest of choices (Ex: Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich with Sprinkles: place ice cream in between two cookies and roll the edges of the cookies into the sprinkles) but they will give children a sense of satisfaction that they can make snacks for themselves. The introduction of the book teaches proper cooking etiquette (wash your hands, ties back long hair, listen to grownups in charge) and lists items that are most commonly found in the pantry and fridge. The index is ingredients not names of salads or sandwiches so if one has a plethora of crackers in their house this is a way to get ideas of how to get rid of them! I cannot wait to post the pictures of the creations made at the library using this book!