Reviewing “My Escape from Egypt: A Draw-It-Yourself Book About the Passover Story” by Sari Kopitnikoff. Ideastrator Press. 2022. English. Paperback. 37 pages. ISBN-13: 979-8985160529.
Educator Sari Kopitnikoff has been busily working on a follow-up to her two publications that earned bestseller top spots on Amazon upon their release in November 2021. “My Davening Diary” and “Jewmagine That!” are now being joined by the newly released “My Escape from Egypt.” Published by Ideastrator Press, this new work is available on Amazon and hopefully in local Judaica stores in time for Pesach. Upon its launch, the new book hit #2 bestseller on Amazon’s list of children’s Jewish holiday books
Keeping with her mission of involving children in their surrounding experiences through providing them with prompts through which to express themselves in writing as well as drawing, Kopitnikoff’s “My Escape From Egypt: Draw-it-Yourself Book About the Passover Story and You” achieves its objective once again. To this point, Kopitnikoff shared, “Although it happened long ago, and the world has changed so much since then, our Exodus from Egypt is a fundamental event in our history as a Jewish people. The pages in “My Escape From Egypt” contain prompts and drawing starters to help children imagine that they were part of the Exodus just as we as adults are urged to do as we read the Pesach Haggadah. In sharing this book with your children, please emphasize to them that there are no wrong answers or bad drawings here. Instead this should be a pressure-free, enjoyable exploration of art and imagination.”
Geared for children 7 and above, the book begins with “Welcome. Go grab a pen or pencil. You are about to go on a journey back in time. Are you ready?” The children are then provided with the setting of a dry, hot desert, their thin, ragged clothing being the only protection from the sun and the cruel Egyptian taskmasters wielding their whips. The prompts on the following pages encourage the children to draw their surroundings, the people with whom they live, and their daily tasks as slaves. They are asked to convey their feelings as they hear rumors that there is a leader who will lead them out to freedom and what they envision freedom to be like. They are asked to re-create the plague that was inflicted on the Egyptians that most instilled them with fear. Then they are asked what they would likely pack in their bags as they prepare to leave. Each page offers them a simple drawing on which they can expand with their own imaginations.
In addition to the book itself, Kopitnikoff offers a guide with educational tips in a digital, printable version. She is also available to present workshops in the actual implementation of the book in schools and other educational settings. These can be arranged through contacting [email protected].
Sari Kopitnikoff is an experiential educator, digital artist, educational performer and content creator. Her works express her passion for bringing Judaism to life through books, games, activities, shows and virtual challenges. Her 10 years of formal teaching on the elementary through high school levels provided her with the impetus to bring energy beyond the classroom and to all denominations of Judaism.
In 2014, Kopitnikoff initiated That Jewish Moment, a colorful, thoughtful, meaningful and heartfelt collection of drawings and programs that showcase the spirit and beauty of Jewish life.
She offers a huge selection of free educational materials at ThatJewishMoment.com and on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok @ThatJewishMoment. To date, Kopitnikoff counts over 20,000 followers of her Instagram account, including Jews of all backgrounds and even non-Jews interested in learning more about Judaism.
To learn more Kopitnikoff’s entire selection of educational materials, visit www.thatjewishmoment.com. Since the launch of “My Escape from Egypt,” all proceeds from the online sales go to Tikva in support of the vital work they are doing with the orphaned children of Odessa.
By Pearl Markovitz
