Too Many Golems

by Jane Yolen, Maya Shleifer (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Steeped in Jewish folklore, this hilarious tale of a boy and his ten golems is inspirational, imaginative and great for landmark occasions for young Jewish children.

Award-winning author Jane Yolen brings us a delightfully humorous tale inspired by Jewish folklore of a well-intentioned but mischievous boy who accidentally summons ten golems.
 

“A truly original story that charmed me from start to finish. This book put a big smile on my face!”— Lesléa Newman, author of Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and National Jewish Book Award

"A delightful reimagining of Jewish folklore! Magic that will captivate children of all backgrounds."—Ruth Behar, Pura Belpré Author Award winner and author of Tía Fortuna's New Home: A Jewish Cuban Journey, a Sydney Taylor Notable Book

The rabbi’s son, Abi, has a habit of getting in trouble. It’s not on purpose, and usually, they’re harmless accidents. But this time, Abi has stolen a scroll from the synagogue—to practice his Hebrew!—and is not ready for what, or rather, who will show up at his front door as a result.

The golems Abi summons may look monstrous, but we soon learn they are only there to help! With beloved author Jane Yolen's signature wit and delightful illustrations by Maya Shleifer, Too Many Golems conveys the unexpected joy of magical accidents and the importance of being a good neighbor to all.

A REIMAGINED JEWISH TALE: A fresh spin on a classic Jewish folktale reinvents the original narrative into one that emphasizes kindness, community, and friendship. Readers will laugh along as, instead of battling enemies, these golems tackle an even stronger foe: Hebrew lessons!

ENCOURAGING MESSAGE: With a deep understanding that learning any new skill can be a difficult and even anxiety-inducing experience, this story acknowledges every struggle and reassures readers that even without the help of magical creatures, their goals can be achieved through perseverance.
 
IMAGINATIVE & FUNNY: Brought to life by two Jewish creators, author Jane Yolen and illustrator Maya Schleifer, this comical story of a boy who means well but can't seem to stay out of trouble will delight parents and kids with its charming illustrations, witty text, and pure imagination. 

CELEBRATES KINDNESS: Readers will find a warm message that showcases the importance of showing kindness to everyone, regardless of where they come from or what language they speak.

PERFECT FOR COMING-OF-AGE CELEBRATIONS: The outrageous tale of Abi's battle with Hebrew is one that many Jewish children will relate to as they begin Hebrew school or embark on their Bar/Bat Mitzvah journey, making this an essential pick for parents and gift-givers.

Perfect for:

• Parents and grandparents
• Teachers and librarians
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah gift-givers
• Anyone looking for picture books celebrating Jewish culture
• Fans of Jane Yolen
• Fans of such classics as Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and Where the Wild Things Are

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781797212142
Publisher:	Chronicle Books
Publication date:	04/23/2024
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	52,118
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jane Yolen, hailed as the Hans Christian Andersen of America, has written more than 400 books, won numerous awards, and received six honorary doctorates in literature. Her works include such classics as The Devil’s Arithmetic, How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?, Caldecott Medal winner Owl Moon,A Bear Sat on My Porch Today, and Elefantastic. She lives in Western Massachusetts.

Maya Shleifer is a multidisciplinary illustrator and designer who has illustrated more than a dozen children’s books that have been translated into several languages and garnered global accolades. She lives in Israel. 

Editorial Reviews

01/08/2024

Golems come to the rescue of a boy struggling to learn Hebrew in this spin on the folkloric. Blonde-haired Abi, a rabbi’s son, is often accidentally in trouble—for forgetting to pay for a bagel (“He was reading a comic book”), for saying a bad word (“He didn’t know it was a bad word”). And when he takes an ancient scroll from the synagogue basement in order to practice his Hebrew pronunciation, he inadvertently summons 10 golems to the family’s front door. While the beings are ready to use physical force to help Abi, the protagonist persuades them to serve as tutors instead: “They never threatened him—but oh, did they yell and shake their fists at the grammar.” Shleifer’s pencil and wax crayon illustrations emphasize Abi’s youthful logic and the golems’ earnest efforts, culminating in a final scene of the golems cutting it up on the dance floor at Abi’s bar mitzvah. An end note, “Rabbi Loew and His Golem,” contextualizes the story. Ages 5–8. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Golems come to the rescue of a boy struggling to learn Hebrew in this spin on the folkloric.” — Publishers Weekly 

"You can never have too many golems when they provide this much entertaining reading fun.” — Kirkus Reviews 

From the Publisher

2024-01-05
A well-meaning troublemaker gets unexpected help.

Abi, the rabbi’s son, may make mischief, but it’s always inadvertent. He once stole a bagel from the deli, but he was engrossed in his comic book and forgot to pay. He once said a bad word to his Hebrew teacher—but he didn’t know it was wrong. Abi does intentionally steal an old, tattered scroll from the synagogue basement. He needs it for Hebrew practice and figures nobody will miss it. Although he doesn’t know the meaning of the words on the scroll, he reads them repeatedly; he doesn’t realize that they summon monsters! When Abi hears house-shaking knocks on the door, he opens and sees…10 golems, the gigantic legendary clay men of Jewish folklore, ready to fight. (Abi knows about golems, but usually only one arrives.) Abi explains that his only battle is with the Hebrew language. So the golems tutor him each week and teach him golem songs and stories. At his bar mitzvah seven years later, Abi’s Hebrew is perfect. The golems attend, dance afterward, and vanish the next day. Featuring an endearing, relatable protagonist, this tongue-in-cheek story turns a familiar legend on its ear. The lively illustrations, often appearing as vignettes, were created with pastel pencils and wax crayons. Abi is redheaded and bespectacled, with skin the white of the page; the golems are more bloblike than fearsome.

You can never have too many golems when they provide this much entertaining reading fun. (information on Rabbi Loew and his golem) (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews