Editor’s note: On February first, PJ Publishing, PJ Library’s publishing imprint, released three brand new children’s books highlighting different aspects of Purim: Today I Am a Hamantasch (age 0) by Varda Livney, Purim Baskets (age 1) by Nancy Churnin, and Purim Possibilities (age 3) by Barbara Kimmel. For each, their books captured an aspect of Purim that was meaningful to them, whether it was exploring identity, being true to yourself, or in Nancy Churnin’s case, being kind to animals.
There are animal lovers, there are those who are bewildered by animal lovers, and there are those who become utterly transformed once an animal is thrust upon them.
I am in that last category.
The plan and promise for our three animals, each saved from shelters by one of our three boys against our will or consent, was they would be “temporary” until our boys moved out with them. But when the boys moved, my husband and I were so bonded to our dog named Dog, our cat Toby the Terrible, and our cat Gloria Swanson that our boys took pity on us and let them stay.
I never used to understand people who said their animals were part of their family. Now I have animals who are part of my family. I don’t understand why I was so foolishly animal-free for so many years.
But with the joy of having animals comes responsibilities, along with thoughts about all the creatures out there needing help and support. When I started noodling around with an idea of writing Purim Baskets for toddlers, the first thought that came to mind was that we need to give gift baskets of shalach manot (or mishloach manot) to ALL our friends and family members, and that includes our animals.
From that idea grew something bigger. I wanted young readers to not only think about their own animals, but all the animals, including my grand-dogs (all my boys and their new families have gone on to adopt new dogs) and the ones still in shelters.
I wanted Purim Baskets to be engaging for one-year-olds, so I wrote it as a guessing game where kids see the contents of each basket, then guess the furry, feathered, or gilled recipient. I imagine that they’re turning the pages and saying “woof,” “meow,” tweet,” and “neigh!” But I also hope it inspires kids to remember their own creatures and creatures in need during Purim and all through the year.
Both of these concepts touch on two of the mitzvot of Purim: delivering food to friends and neighbors (mishloach manot) by making baskets of yummy treats for community members, and spreading Purim joy by donating to good causes (matanot la’evyonim).
Although the book doesn’t say it specifically, part of my own way of supporting animals is giving generously to rescues and other animal-welfare organizations. That’s why I was so thrilled when the Jewish Federation at the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys reached out with a request to use Purim Baskets to inspire a mitzvah project at the Southern California Children’s Museum in early March, where kids will assemble gift baskets for animals in a local shelter. They will enjoy a morning of music, storytelling, crafts, and giving back to the community.
I was so happy to send five autographed copies of the book as giveaways for the festivities and so excited for them to see Amy Schimler-Safford’s gorgeous illustrations of our animal, bird, and fish friends. But most of all, I was just so happy for my books to be taking an active role in encouraging kindness for creatures that deserve our love and care.
I hope Purim Baskets will inspire the kind of kindness to our creatures that they deserve. Encouraging kids to fill Purim baskets with gifts that animals need is but a drop of what I owe to the joy animals have brought to my life. But in the words of Rabbi Akiva, “Look what the little drops of water did to the rock.” I hope this little message will spread and the drops will add up to a mighty waterfall of kindness for PJ Library families. Happy Purim!
