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Learning the written Torah is not complete without also learning the "midrash", another level of interpretation beyond the "pshat" or straight text.

The Midrash answers a lot of questions about what goes on behind the scenes that are not conveyed directly in the written Torah.  Although there may be various versions of midrashim, some of them are cited by great commentators of the Torah including Rashi.  We rely on the wisdom of our Sages who are closer to the generation of Sinai, and closer to the Revelation at Sinai, who heard HaShem's word directly.

My favorite Midrashim for children is "The Little Midrash Says" series by Rabbi Moshe Weissman, and published by Bnai Yakov Publications.  IT is a classic and a must have in any Jewish library.

It is easy to read, and perfect for boys and girls age 6 and up, who can read.  There are five books in the series corresponding to the Five Books of the Torah.  Each book is divided into the weekly Torah portion.  Each Torah portion contains not only midrashim that is supported by Rashi, but also stories from the Tanach that teach great moral lessons.  

What is the purpose of a midrash story?  Most of all, it is to teach how to fear G-d.  Like Shlomo HaMelech, the wisest of all men, advises us "The beginning of wisdom is to fear G-d...".  A story that comes to mind is about a scorpion which wrote on a frog's back across a body of water in order to fulfill its mission of biting a sinnner in a nearby village.  When the sinner dies, one should not think that his death is accidental because of the scorpion which bit it, but because the sinner has reached his amount of "quota" of sins that requires death as a punishment, albeit from the sting of a scorpion.  The scorpion is just a messenger.  

  Each Torah portion is also accompanied by a list of quiz questions to gauge one's grasp of the subject material.  An appendix of answers is provided at the back of each book as well.  Not only is this series perfect for children, it is also educational for adults.  It is an excellent "read aloud" activity for parents to their children.  

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