Israeli Author Creates Interactive Family Book to Connect Children with National History

Dina Gabrieli, creator of the "Simply for Children" series, has developed a new family-oriented book titled "Journey to Independence" that aims to engage children and parents with the history and identity of Israel. Inspired by her experiences in the military reserves during the recent war, Gabrieli emphasizes the importance of education in fostering national belonging. She noted that seeing educational materials found in terrorist homes underscored the responsibility to ensure Israeli children understand their people's history and the dreams of previous generations.

The book invites children to explore different eras of Zionist and Israeli history through large illustrations, puzzles, and search items. Each double-page spread covers a distinct period, from the First Zionist Congress to the pioneers, settlements, immigrants, and the declaration of the state. Gabrieli's goal is for children not only to read but to actively discover and experience history alongside their parents.

Alongside her work on the book, Gabrieli serves as a cohesion officer in the newly formed David Division, a reserve unit established at the outbreak of the war, composed of volunteers from across Israel. Her service reinforced her belief that history is shaped by individuals who choose to act in their time. She highlighted figures like Herzl, pioneers, settlers, fighters, and volunteers as links in the chain that built Israel. Gabrieli hopes that by deepening children’s connection to this story, they will feel a stronger sense of belonging and understand that they are continuing to write Israel’s history.