Through membership of the editorial board of ESRA MAGAZINE, Pnina and I formed a writers’ bond. After having moved way up North, I always harbored a desire for her to bring Berale to the Upper Galilee and to personally meet some of the delightful children who are growing up in this special and beautiful part of our country. And so it was – the Israeli Book Week – a new Berale publication that promised entertainment and a challenge for story hour. Assistance to arrange the happening came from Gilanit Reef-Amar, the manageress of one of Steimatsky’s bookstores in Kiryat Shemona, and Carmit, who is in charge of the kindergarten at Kibbutz Sde Nechemia where Gilanit lives. Carmit was delighted to host the occasion and to welcome children from the neighborhood.

Story hour – three o’clock on a sun-drenched early summer afternoon – the spacious main room of the kindergarten is filled to capacity with children and parents too. The children want to hear about Berale’s latest escapades and the parents want to meet Pnina and find out more about Berale, why and how she invented him and continues to tell of his escapades for the ongoing enjoyment of our little ones.

They were not disappointed. Pnina told the story of how she had discovered her character through her sons back in the early eighties when she used to discover snails collected and tucked away in their pockets whilst they were playing outside. It was then that the Israeli nursery rhyme “Berale, Berale – (in English Little Snail) – come on out” lit the spark for literary expression in her mind and was brought to life in her tales. Encouraged by the publishing firm Keter, she prepared material for the first three books which they agreed to publish and so Berale did indeed come out and gained wide popularity. And Pnina continues to write more Berale books.

The audience was not disappointed – questions and answers were plenty and it was a joy to observe the children’s reactions, to hear their questions and listen to their comments as Pnina revealed her reasoning for Berale’s behavior in certain situations.

Thanks to Pnina for making the journey up North and we hope she will come again.