I’ve Never Hugged a Dove

AGE: 3-6

"It happened in Dwarf Valley, in Shumby the dwarf`s house. A white dove sat at the window from time to time and cooed: coo... coo... cooo" Shumby the dwarf finds the dove very intriguing and wants to see her from close up. He wants to cuddle and hug her too, but the dove keeps flying off, opting to hug the wind instead. Shumby asks his Mom to buy him a dovecote, but Mom says that you don`t buy a dovecote- you build one! So, together with Shumby`s Grandpa the carpenter, everyone works to build a dovecote and put it on the roof. And the dove moves in gladly to nest. However, when Shumby tries to stroke the dove in the house he built especially for her, she flies off again. He finally understands he`ll have to be satisfied with the feather she leaves behind- and that some things can only be hugged from afar.

Illustrations: Gil-Ly Alon Curiel


English translation available (for publishers only)