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Prayer Shawl Display

recommended children's books

One of the suggested Mitzvahs is 'Values at Bedtime'

Read your children bedtime stories that teach positive moral lessons, encourage good behaviour, build character and inspire integrity.

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Dedicated in honour of Tania Tretiak, a grandmother who loved her family.

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This list supports emotional intelligence, kindness, resilience, empathy, faith, and positive character development.

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​👶 Babies, Toddlers & Preschool

• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes – Mem Fox
Celebrates the joy, wonder, and universality of new life.

 

• It’s a Mitzvah! – Suzy Ultman
Introduces everyday acts of kindness, peace, and good deeds.

 

• Little Blue Truck – Alice Schertle
Shows the power of friendship, teamwork, and cooperation.

 

• Wrapping Things – Linda Burgess
Explores welcoming a new baby and family bonding.

 

• Before You Close Your Eyes – Scott Stuart
Encourages reflection, gratitude, and calm before bedtime.

 

• How Big Is Love? – Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler
Reassures children of the boundless depth of love.

 

• Shmoof – Heidi McKinnon
Teaches responsibility, care, and compassion toward pets.

 

• World of Colour – Jess Racklyeft
Encourages wonder, curiosity, and appreciation of nature.

 

• Peanut Butter and Cupcake – Terry Border
Celebrates friendship, differences, and acceptance.

 

• I’m Not Just a Scribble – Diane Alber
Builds self-confidence, creativity, and self-expression.

 

• Stick and Stone – Beth Ferry & Tom Lichtenheld
Highlights loyalty, bravery, and standing up for friends.

 

• My Many Coloured Days – Dr Seuss
Helps children understand and express a wide range of emotions.

 

• In My Heart: A Book of Feelings – Jo Witek
Encourages emotional awareness and acceptance of all feelings.

 

• Why Is Baby Joe Crying, Papa? – Anna Mills
Normalises emotions and builds empathy and understanding.

 

• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury
Teaches bravery, resilience, and perseverance through challenges.

 

• When I’m Feeling… Collection – Trace Moroney
Helps children identify, manage, and understand emotions.

 

• Magic Beach – Alison Lester
Celebrates imagination, play, and joy in nature.

 

• Giraffes Can’t Dance – Giles Andreae
Encourages self-belief, confidence, and embracing uniqueness.

 

• Alexander’s Outing – Pamela Allen
Highlights family protection, caution, and care.

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🎒 Early Primary

• Another Year Around the Sun – Katrina Germein
Appreciates family, nature, and the passing of time through the seasons.

 

• A Thread of Kindness – Leah-Perl Shollar
Shows how small acts of kindness connect us all.

 

• The Invisible String – Patrice Karst
Explains emotional connection and love even when apart.

 

• The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
Explores generosity, giving, and unconditional love.

 

• Have You Filled a Bucket Today? – Carol McCloud
Teaches kindness, empathy, and emotional wellbeing.

 

• Not That Question Again – Belinda Blecher
Encourages meaningful parent-child communication.

 

• Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge – Mem Fox
Explores memory, ageing, and empathy.

 

• Be Kind – Pat Zietlow Miller
Shows how small acts of kindness make a big difference.

 

• Kindness Makes Us Strong – Sophie Beer
Encourages everyday kindness and empathy.

 

• The Carrot Seed – Ruth Krauss
Teaches patience, hope, and belief.

 

• Prayer for a River – Andrew Kelly
Encourages gratitude for water and environmental awareness.

 

• Here Come the Cousins – Maggie Hutchins
Celebrates extended family, togetherness, and belonging.

 

• The Friendship Book – Zanni Louise
Explores how friendships grow through kindness and care.

 

• The Little Engine That Could – Watty Piper
Inspires perseverance, optimism, and determination.

 

• The Good Deeds Dogs – Emma Chichester Clark
Encourages kindness and helping others.

 

• Sundays Under the Lemon Tree – Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Celebrates family tradition and togetherness.

 

• Ten Small Things I Can Do to Help My Planet – Melanie Walsh
Builds environmental responsibility and awareness.

 

• A Hatful of Dreams – Bob Graham
Celebrates grandparent-grandchild relationships and imagination.

 

• Giant Parsnip Soup – Daniela Sosa
Shows cooperation, teamwork, and friendship.

 

• Between – Anna Walker
Explores empathy, emotional connection, and belonging.

 

• Grandpa’s Guide to Happiness – Andrew Daddo
Shares wisdom, perspective, and life lessons.

 

• Where Would You Go? – Alison Lester & Jane Goodwin
Encourages imagination, curiosity, and family connection.

 

• One Race – Gregg Dreiser
Promotes unity, inclusion, and shared humanity.

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📚 Primary

• How to Heal a Broken Wing – Bob Graham
Teaches compassion and care for the vulnerable.

 

• The Humble Pie – Jory John
Encourages humility, growth, and self-reflection.

 

• Noah and His Special Friend – Susan Sara Feiga Zimmerman
Introduces moral responsibility and universal values.

 

• What Should Danny Do? – Adir Levy
Shows how choices shape outcomes and character.

 

• I Wish You More – Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Encourages reflection, gratitude, and life aspirations.

 

• All Kinds of Strong – Kris Wiltse
Celebrates emotional, mental, and physical strength.

 

• Listen With Your Heart – Raizy Metzger & Esty Raskin
Builds sensitivity, inclusion, and compassion for children with challenges.

 

• I Wish You Happiness – Michael Wong
Shares heartfelt wishes for a meaningful, joyful, and kind life.

Copyright © 2026 Rabbinical Association of Australasia Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

Please send all correspondence to:
PO Box 7, St Ives NSW 2075 or email rabbi@chabadhouse.org.au

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