Stuffed animals are a staple of childhood. Children want to bring them everywhere — to school, to the playground, and on road trips. And no matter how dirty and worn your child’s toy gets, the stuffy is part of your family.
Who’s cuter, the kid or the bear?
There’s something very Jewish about your child’s relationship with his or her stuffed animal. Think about it: Jewish practice involves a variety of ritual objects, from Shabbat candles and challah to the Hanukkah menorah. The repetition of using these same objects and performing the same rituals year after year is comforting in its consistency. Having the same objects continually present while making meaningful memories attaches significance to those objects. So too is true of children’s relationships with their stuffed animals.
Since the school year just ended, your house may feel like a transition zone – school art projects everywhere, camp stuff in your living room, and kids just aching for routine. The fuzzy familiarity of stuffed animals brings a sense of constancy and comfort in the midst of all the changes. In the words of Kveller writer Carla Naumburg, “Loveys make tough times easier” and help comfort kids during stressful periods of growth and change.
Now is the perfect time to bring out that lovey or buddy and celebrate. Teddy Bear Picnic Day, celebrated on July 10, is a special day to appreciate the love between child and stuffed animal that we ourselves understand all too well. We suggest having a picnic of your own!
Things to bring in your picnic basket:
- Outdoor clothes for your child’s stuffy (to protect your buddy from an inevitable tumble in the grass)
- Blanket
- Plates, cups, silverware, etc.
- Foods that a stuffed animal would enjoy, like carrot sticks and berries.Recommended: Bring an empty cup so your buddy can eat too and not get too messy.
- PJ Books (see below for suggestions)
We’d love to see pictures of your children with their stuffies, lovies, and buddies — whether having a picnic, reading a PJ book, or just sharing an adorable cuddle.
Share the love on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using #pjlibrary.
BOOKS ABOUT STUFFIES
The love between child and stuffie is highlighted in the PJ Library selections below.
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Ella’s Trip to Israel
Author: Vivian Newman
Illustrator: Akemi GutierrezA little girl named Ella travels through Israel with her parents and best friend, a stuffed monkey named Kofi. |
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Found
Author: Salina Yoon
Illustrator: Salina YoonWhen Bear finds a stuffed bunny in the forest, he starts looking for its owner. But soon he gets to like the bunny! What will happen when the owner comes forward? |
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Nosh, Schlep, Schluff
Author: Laurel Snyder
Illustrator: Tiphanie BeekeLittle ones, accompanied by their fuzzy friends, are introduced to the delightful sounds of Yiddish in this board book. |
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Sadie, Ori, and Nuggles Go to Camp
Author: Jamie Korngold
Illustrator: Julie FortenberryFor the first time ever, Ori is going to sleepaway camp — and he’s feeling nervous about bringing Nuggles. Will the other campers laugh at him? Sadie helps him out. |
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Sara Finds a Mitzva
Author: Rebeka Simhaee
Illustrator: Michael WeberWhen Sara finds a little stuffed duck, she and her bubby embark on a search for the owner that takes them from place to place. Will the clues they find lead them to the right person? |
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Shai’s Shabbat Walk
Author: Ellie Gellman
Illustrator: Holli CongerCome stroll with Shai and his stuffed teddy on Shabbat! He sees many people and things he loves along the way — family, animals, and friends. That’s what Shabbat walks are all about. |
July 22, 2015