Funding Drive Begins for Jewish Holiday Book -“Mitzvah Moose” Teaches Children the Joys of Giving
LOS ANGELES, CA, December 3, 2014 – Love for the holidays, combined with respect for her husband’s Jewish heritage and a desire to teach her daughter the lessons of Hanukkah, prompted author and publisher Dawn Wynne to create her most personal and spiritual book.
“The Miracle Mitzvah Moose” teaches children the lessons of giving and devotion to others during the holiday season. “In our blended family, we use Hanukkah as a time for donating,” says Wynne, a former elementary school teacher and award-winning short film producer. “This heartwarming story shows children how contributing is more rewarding than receiving.”
The story follows a young Jewish girl, Abigail, whose family has just moved from a beach town to a cold, snowy, remote city up North. Abigail finds herself alone in a new environment on the first night of Hanukkah. Overcome with sadness she witnesses a miracle that changes the way she looks at the holidays.
Wynne was introduced to Hanukkah during her marriage. Her daughter attended pre-school at The Growing Garden Preschool at the Jewish Community Center, part of the Chabad of the Beach Cities in Redondo Beach. “Mitzvahs were integral part of the curriculum,” Wynne says. “Our daughter continues to keep in touch with our friends at Chabad as they were an instrumental part of her early life.”
The beautifully illustrated book features a magical moose that presents a miracle which encourages young Abigail to do mitzvahs during the eight days of Hanukkah. No longer focused on what she doesn’t have, she finds gratitude in the smallest of kind gestures.
The book will be financed through a crowd-funding campaign at: www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-miracle-mitzvah-moose-children-s-book-and-toy . Money raised will fund the hardcover production of the book, Moosey (the plush toy), and packaging to be delivered in time for the 2015 holiday season. Promotional material such as bookmarks, mitzvah cards, and postcards will be printed if the total goal is raised.
“The goal is to create a book and holiday experience families can enjoy year after year, from generation to generation,” Wynne says. “The magic of Hanukkah has been an enriching experience for our family. We are raising our daughter in the Jewish tradition of tzedakah and mitzvahs, a beautiful and rewarding component of Jewish culture.”
About Dawn Wynne She is an award-winning teacher, film producer, and author. Four years ago she self-published an interactive board book, “I Remember When.” It was an Amazon best-seller and was an Indie Excellence Finalist. A second, paperback edition sold out. Her second environmental book, “Earth Remembers When,” won two children's book awards. Her third book, “The Miracle Mitzvah Moose,” will be released in 2015. For more information, please visit www.dawnwynne.com.
