Too Many Golems - by Jane Yolen (Hardcover)

About the Book

Struggling with his Hebrew lessons, Abi takes an old scroll to help him practice and accidentally summons ten golems--who agree to come once a week to help him with his Hebrew.

Book Synopsis

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

Review Quotes

"[A] lighthearted tale for children." -- The Wall Street Journal

"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

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.