The wit, wisdom, and lore of Jewish tradition is captured in a collection representing thousands of years’ worth of folktales, legends, and literature, with each story containing an entertaining conundrum that young readers can attempt to solve.
Age
Catalog sorted by age group
You Never Know
Though mocked by the rest of the villagers, poor Schmuel the shoemaker turns out to be a very special person.
Something From Nothing
In this retelling of a traditional Jewish folktale, Joseph’s baby blanket is transformed into ever smaller items as he grows until there is nothing left–but then Joseph has an idea.
Strudel, Strudel, Strudel
A rollicking text and colorful paintings explain why, in Chelm, teachers may not live on top of a hill, own a trunk with wheels, or eat apple strudel. By the author of The Adventures of High John the Conquerer.
Five Little Gefiltes
Five little gefilte fish sneak out of their jar and explore the world, causing their poor mother great worry. Includes a note about gefilte fish and a glossary of Yiddish words.
Golem
A retelling of the Jewish legend of the golem created by the Rabbi to defend the Jews of Prague
It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale
Once upon a time a poor unfortunate man lived with his mother, his wife, and his six children in a one-room hut. Because they were so crowded, the children often fought and the man and his wife argued. When the poor man was unable to stand it any longer, he ran to the Rabbi for help. As he follows the Rabbi’s unlikely advice, the poor man’s life goes from bad to worse, with increasingly uproarious results. In his little hut, silly calamity follows foolish catastrophe, all memorably depicted in full-color illustrations that are both funnier and lovelier than any this distinguished artist has done in the past.
Kibitzers and Fools
Thirteen brief, illustrated, traditional Jewish tales, each accompanied by an appropriate saying.
Next Year In Jerusalem
Jewish stories set in Jerusalem, adapted from the Talmud and Midrash, Hasidic sources, and oral tradition, with origins in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Spain, Italy, and Greece.
Shlemazel and the Remarkable Spoon of Pohost
A retelling of an Eastern European tale in which Shlemazel, the laziest man in town, is tricked into believing that the lucky spoon given to him by a neighbor will bring him fortune and fame, if it is used in the right way.