"Dovid the Little Shepherd" is a story that takes place long before Dovid became the king. While tending the sheep, young Dovid displayed boundless care and concern for them. This essential trait is one of the characteristics that made him deserving of the exalted position of king.

A king should serve as a model for his people. Unlike the rulers of other nations, a Jewish monarch is not chosen for his physical strength, prowess and stature. Dovid was chosen to rule because of his devotion to G-d and Israel, for his piety, Torah scholarship and refined spiritual qualities.

Going beyond the book with Little Dovid means emphasizing another, more subtle lesson than just his kindness to every single sheep.

Little Dovid is alone with a dilemma -- the larger, stronger sheep are out-running the small and old sheep for the soft grass. All alone, without adults to guide him, he has to find his own solution. Once he defines the problem, he sets about to correct it.

That is the goal to which all parents aspire -- for their children to be able to focus on what needs to be done, and then do it! This "Little Great" doesn't waste time agonizing over the size of the job or his isolation high in the mountains. This story points out that even a young child has reserves of resourcefulness and self-reliance.

Along the same lines, going beyond the book with Little Dovid can lead to conversations and instructions on practical issues such as personal safety. We need to ask our children the question:

"Just like little Dovid knew how to handle a situation on his own, how would YOU react when I'm not there? What if a stranger says, 'Come into my car; I have a special gift for you?' Let's talk about what to do if someone is choking, or spills hot soup on your arm, or cuts his finger."

This "Little Great" can be useful for parents and teachers trying to build the concept of responsibility and self-reliance in the children they love.

Written by Dina Rosenfeld, illustrated by Ilene Winn-Lederer, published by Hachai Publishing