Press Release

2.18.2008 - 11:59pm ET

A New Book from Purple Monkey Books CANAAN TOURS OF JEWISH HISTORY #1: IN THE BEGINNING… By Ian D. Bier and James J.B.N. DuPrie

“A great way to teach otherwise disenfranchised kids, and a marvelous tool for further enriching the Jewish education of both committed and alienated.” - Rabbi Gershon Winkler, Author of Magic of the Ordinary: Recovering the Shamanic in Judaism and Kabbalah 365: Daily Fruit from the Tree of Life

“Having a series of books for young readers to keep them engaged in their Jewish identity, that's also enjoyable for the whole family, is a blessing for parents.Having a series of books for young readers that actually explores Jewish history and teaches a deeper understanding of Judaism is a gift for Jewish educators.” Cantor Michael Smolash, Temple Israel, West Bloomfield, MI

To Purchase:     

DURHAM, NH – February 19, 2008 –  Canaan Tours of Jewish History #1 :
In the Beginning... is the first in a series of chapter books aimed at children in grades 3-6. Designed to teach Jewish history, it combines the fun of fantasy with traditional Jewish interpretations of biblical stories and themes to bring the wonder of Jewish traditions alive.

Canaan Tours of Jewish History #1
In the Beginning...

Maya and her younger brother Josh are regular children, trying to live normal American lives while learning about and maintaining their Jewish Identities. Sephira and Shem are the children's Canaan dogs, a breed indigenous to the land of Israel.

When Maya gets frustrated with her Hebrew school report on the first Jews, Abraham and Sarah, the siblings discover that Shem and Sephira are much more than just regular dogs. As a matter of fact Sephira is a Talmudic scholar, and Shem is a student of Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition.

Sensing Maya’s frustration with understanding the events that make up Jewish history and her lessening connection with her Jewish identity, the dogs decide that the only way to teach the kids the deeper meaning of Judaism is to share with them the oral traditions, and show them the events described in the Torah firsthand.

The four of them embark on a fantastic journey to the Negev desert in Israel and visit the Canaan Sanhedrin, where they learn about the first six days of creation– from a Canaan dog’s point of view. From there, they move on to witness the final act of creation – the creation of the first human.

Click here to read an excerpt from Canaan Tours of Jewish History #1: In the Beginning…


About the Authors

Ian D. Bier went to Jewish day school, was an active member and leader in Habonim-Dror, a Labor-Zionist youth movement, and spent one year living in Israel on a kibbutz in the Negev desert and traveling around the country. After milking cows on kibbutz, he got interested in the ancient connections between Jewish holidays and traditions, and the physical land of Israel, the environment and seasonal cycles. He has been a Dean and an associate professor at the graduate school level, and published on using Quality Control principles for curriculum development to improve student learning. He is a board member of THINK! Education, an educational non-profit 501c(3). He continues to study the aboriginal and mystical traditions of Judaism.

James J.B.N. DuPriehas been a university professor, a computer executive, and studied with the Chabad Lubavitch. He teaches and tutors in the Hebrew-school program at his temple, and for Hebrew and B'nai Mitzvot preparation. He also runs adult education classes such as Hebrew, challah making, and kosher cooking. He is actively involved in Jewish life, serves on the ritual committee of his synagogue, runs the Brotherhood, and organizes holiday events. He is the founder and a board member of THINK! Education, an educational non-profit 501c(3). He continues to study the Talmudic literature.

CANAAN TOURS OF JEWISH HISTORY #1: IN THE BEGINNING… (Purple Monkey Books; $14.99; ISBN: 978-0980207101) is available on February 11, 2008. For more information about the book, please visit Canaanhistory.com.

About Purple Monkey Books

Headquartered in Durham, New Hampshire, Purple Monkey Books is an imprint of Sephirot Press. Purple Monkey Books publishes children’s books that use humor and adventure to make children want to learn. For more information, please visit Purple Monkey Books

For more information please contact:

Paula M. Diamond. M.Ed.
Publisher
Purple Monkey Books