Customer Reviews

Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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This is a great idea. I took 4 semesters of Hebrew, so I considered making my own but it seemed worthwhile to buy. I have a few complaints that I want to air for those who purchase this and don't know Hebrew. One: her calligraphy. Lamed looks like an S!! She wrote it like that twice on that page!! (It should not be close at all.) The only explanation I can come up with is that she ran out of room and squeezed the stem in by folding it on top. Sometimes, it looks like she should have done her calligraphy with an Oriental style (round) brush instead of a regular calligraphy pen. Examples are kaph and samek (both too boxy). Gimel looks too much like a bracket. I have tagged eight pages I am going to redo for calligraphy. This is a big deal because the language is so foreign to English that you want to be careful of copying correctly. You don't want to try copying a damaged copy because you'll end up with something really remote from the original. NOTE: She does have a table in the back to show the letters better (probably computer generated) so you can doctor your own pages. TWO: I was surprised that she rhymed beth (the 2nd letter) with "faith." I learned it at seminary as "bet." I have found that some people do say it her way. (I think she does this consistently with the other "th" ending letters. I need to refresh on those.) However, I wish she had mentioned these two options for the applicable letters because, obviously, mom and dad are trying to learn this too and the rest of the text is for them. I am going to stick with my professor and doctor those pages too, making a note to mention that there is another option. THREE: There are alternate spellings for some of the letters and she fails to tell the readers that tiny bit of info as well. The biggest example would be "waw" can be "vav." You decide if that is a big enough difference to warrant mention. FOUR: The Hebrew language is read and written from right to left. I think that in her nice introduction, this important fact could have been mentioned. FIVE: I NEED TO CHECK HER STEPS FOR WRITING THE LETTERS. I wouldn't rely on what she has presented. I can right off the bat tell you that even her own steps for writing samek don't match the letter as she wrote it out herself to the left of the same page. (She makes it look like an upside down pentagon). Minor note: a child pointed out to me that she says nun is written in 3 steps but only gives two. SIX: The pictures are supposed to help you remember the sound of the letter. Well, the pictures are pretty but they're small (the calligraphy takes up most of the page, which is why I'm so bothered about the discrepancies). Then, you have pictures like a gazelle to help you remember a "z" sound. That seems very odd. The N sound has a picture of a big moon with a tiny bird and nest (in much darker color) under it. The "ch" sound is the same as in "loch." What itty bitty baby will understand that? SEVEN: You really should hear the Hebrew letters pronounced elsewhere. I don't know enough about schwas and all that to tell you if she could have written out the pronunciation better but mem really doesn't sound like "maim." --Bottom Line: It is a lot to pay for a board book. I have it and will doctor it. You can make a little book like this yourself using a photo album and the internet. I don't discourage buying it but hope you make an informed purchase. I always appreciate detailed reviews.

For some time I have been interested in learning Biblical Hebrew with our children. Recently, we have begun the task of committing the Hebrew alphabet to our memories, pulling from various resources. Then this precious little book found its way into our hands, Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew. It has been a timely gift to me, and to my children, and is now our most practical first guide. Each letter has easy step by step instructions as to how it is to be formed correctly. The pronunciation of each letter is clearly given, complete with picture associations (Johannah's lovely illustrations to go along with each letter) to aid in one's remembrance of it.

It's been a joy for us to receive, read and to use, and has now become our favorite Hebrew primer! Though it's a board book, and as the title suggests, is appropriately designed for much younger students than myself, and my 6yo daughter and 9yo son, it's simplistic approach does, however, lend itself to otherwise apprehensive beginners of all ages. We have therefore found that it is appropriate and enjoyable for older students as well. My kids haven't been put off by the name at all... rather they think it's funny to say over and over again!

Due to this book's being a "board book", it is nice and sturdy, which is coming in handy for all of the use it's getting at our dining room table lately, as we pass it around in the mornings to copy our letter formations and practice pronunciation. This book is simply lovely, and such a pleasure to learn from! I'm thankful to have found such a sweet picture book from which to commit these most special Hebrew characters to my childrens' memories. So, don't let the name fool you, nor the fact that it's a board book... If your children love beautiful, sweet picture books as mine do, or if you're in the market for a simple Hebrew alefbet primer, then I highly recommend this book!

We're on our way, finally learning the Hebrew alefbet together!;-) I'm eager to check out the Greek Alphabetarion next!

Our 10yo son says, "I like the shapes of the Hebrew letters, and this book makes it easy to write them. It's easy to understand."

With the elegance of her brush and simple instructions--Johannah Bluedorn takes out the mystery for all of us on how to write the Biblical Hebrew alphabet. This children's board book is yet another publication of the fine work her readers have come to expect. Not just another rehash of the standard board books out on the market, this book provides real utility with practical how to steps. The author has combined all of these elements clearly to her readers. Each letter is articulated with the following:
1. Instructions on the alphabet.
2. Art work that is delicately detailed.
3. Ortheopy of the alphabet.
4. Illustration of the alphabet.
5. Explanation of the alphabet.
6. Chart of the alphabet for easy reference.

What struck me the most about this book was the way the author took a very intimidating alphabet and reduced it to a simple form of writing we can understand and repeat. This is definately a book to have in stock at your home to give as gifts for any occassion. Maribel Hernandez

My husband and I just love this book! Thanks to the Bluedorns for providing what few others might come up with--- a foreign language boardbook for toddlers. We have been reading it with our daughter, Kathrynne, and she enjoys it (and she's only 7 months!). For anyone who wants to teach their child Hebrew at an early age, this book is your answer. Includes all the letters and their pronunciations, along with simple illustrations and step-by-step instructions for learning to write the letters yourself. A must for every Classical educators library!

Have you ever thought about learning Hebrew? Have you ever thought you could teach your little children Hebrew? If so, I would suggest you start with the Hebrew alphabet and you can do so with another delightful book by Johannah Bluedorn. Her book is titled Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew. It is a small board book where each page is dedicated to one Hebrew letter. Johannah demonstrates how to say the letter and how to write it and accompanies it with a beautiful illustration. The illustrations are in typical Johannah style that are sweet, beautiful and with many details. What a fun way to introduce yourself and your children to the Hebrew language.

Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew is a Hebrew alphabet board book for very young children. The stiff pages are laminated to protect them against spills and the like; each page portrays a Hebrew letter with instructions in how to pronounce it and how to write it, as well as a smattering of watercolor illustrations. The final two-page spread shows all the letters together. An excellent educational and language tool.

Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew is very easy to follow in learning basic Hebrew. Beautiful artwork.

Just so you know before you buy it, this book does not teach any words, it only teaches the alphabet. It also does not go over the hebrew vowels, so is not of much use in seeing hebrew words and pronouncing them.