Simon and the Bear
What’s inside...
Before Simon sails to America, he promises his family that he will get a job and send for them. Simon's mother knows he will need a miracle, so she reminds him to celebrate Hanukkah wherever he may be. Little does either of them know that Simon will spend the first night of Hanukkah on an ice floe after his ship sinks.The lone survivor out in the wide ocean, Simon lights the first candle, and it attracts a visitor: a polar bear. Does she eat him? No! She shares his latkes, enjoys his songs, goes fishing for him, and even keeps him warm at night. By the last day of Hanukkah, Simon has nearly given up hope of ever being rescued. But then he recounts all of the miracles that have befallen him so far. Perhaps it is not too much to hope for one more, he thinks, as he lights all of the candles in the menorah. The bright glow signals a passing ship, and Simon makes it to New York after all. This fanciful Hanukkah tale-like none you've ever read before-celebrates eight miracles: family, friendship, hope, selflessness, sharing, faith, courage, and love. A retelling of the ancient Hanukkah story is included on the last page.
Praise for The Golem's Latkes
"Kimmel s storytelling is effective in its use of suspense, humor, trope and repetition, making a fine read-aloud holiday treat."
---Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Zigazak! A Magical Hanukkah Night
"In the most imaginative Hanukkah book this season, Kimmel (Gershon's Monster) peoples an old-world town with mischievous demons, easily alarmed villagers and a wise and crafty rabbi. The brio of the storytelling doesn't shy from a moral: 'Sparks of goodness exist in all things, even in devils' tricks.'"
---Publishers Weekly
Praise for Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
"[Hershel] successfully uses his wits to oust the eight creatures haunting the old synagogue and who are preventing the villagers from celebrating Hanukkah. Kimmel provides a humorous, entertaining and just slightly scary story for all young readers."
--Children's Literature
1990 Caldecott Honor Book
1989 National Council for the Social Studies Notable Book
1990 National Council of Teachers of English Notable Book
1992 Colorado Children's Book Award
1992 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Simon felt when he saw the bear? Would you feel the same?
What do you think the bear symbolizes in the story? Why is the bear important to Simon?
Simon shows a lot of courage in the book. Can you think of a time when you were brave like Simon?
How does the relationship between Simon and the bear change throughout the story?
What do you think is the main message of the book? How can you apply it in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book by sharing their own experiences related to the themes in the story.
Ask your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene from the book. Discuss why they chose that particular scene.
Help your child relate to Simon by asking them to imagine what they would do if they were in Simon’s situation.
After reading the book, engage in a role-play where your child can act as Simon and you can be another character from the book.
Discuss the moral of the story and its implications on daily life to reinforce positive values and behavior.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Caring
Explanation: Simon shows empathy by caring for the bear, demonstrating that helping others is a rewarding experience.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of caring for others, which can be applied in their interactions with friends and family, fostering a supportive community.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Problem Solving
Explanation: Faced with the challenge of surviving with the bear, Simon uses his wits to solve problems, showing that thinking creatively in tough situations is crucial.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and persistently when faced with obstacles, whether in school assignments or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Simon and the bear's relationship grows stronger throughout the story, highlighting that friendship is valuable and worth nurturing.
Real-World Application: Kids are taught to invest time and emotion in friendships, which builds strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.