Rachel Captures the Moon
Rachel of Chelm Series
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
The stories of the fabled village of Chelm and its inhabitants are favorites in Jewish folklore. Newcomer Richard Ungar captures the joyous spirit of these folktales in his words and pictures. The people of Chelm were crazy about the moon and the way it bathed the village in light. Not content to wait for the moon to rise, some of the villagers decide to capture it so they could see it whenever they wish. First the carpenter tries to reach it with a ladder. The next night the cook tries to entice the moon with soup. The musician, the weaver, and the fisherman all use their arts to try to lure the moon down to the village. To everyone's surprise, young Rachel succeeds. But how does she capture the moon?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Rachel wanted to capture the moon?
What do you think the moon symbolizes in the story?
How do you think Rachel felt on her journey to capture the moon?
What would you do if you could capture the moon?
How do you think the story would change if Rachel captured something else?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about the moon and what they think capturing the moon could mean.
Pause at key moments in the story to allow your child to predict what might happen next, fostering critical thinking.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a picture of their own version of capturing the moon, deepening their connection to the story.
Use expressive voice and gestures while reading to make the story come alive, making the reading experience more enjoyable and memorable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Persistence pays off
Explanation: Rachel's repeated attempts to capture the moon, despite initial failures, illustrates the value of persistence.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to keep trying in their own pursuits, whether learning a new skill or solving a problem.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Rachel uses various imaginative methods to try to capture the moon, showing that creativity is key in problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think outside the box and use their imagination to overcome obstacles.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Each unsuccessful attempt teaches Rachel something new, highlighting the importance of learning from mistakes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth, not just failures.
Example Lesson: Sharing achievements with others
Explanation: When Rachel finally captures the moon, she shares this joy with her community, portraying the joy of sharing successes.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of sharing their own successes and joys with friends and family.