Jewish Folklore in Picture Books (page 2)

CHILDREN'S

Released: March 1, 1995

by Steve Sanfield, illustrated by Emily Lisker

"A uniquely funny book. (Picture book/folklore. 4-7)"

A tale about Chelm—a town celebrated in Jewish folklore for the legendary idiocy of its inhabitants. Read full book review >

CHILDREN'S

Released: March 1, 1996

DYBBUK: A STORY MADE IN HEAVEN

by Francine Prose, illustrated by Mark Podwal

"These skillfully evoke the images in Jewish illuminated manuscripts and in the paintings of Chagall, providing a match made in heaven for Prose's funny tale. (Picture book/folklore. 5+)"

Prose's first children's book is a humorously understated retelling of a traditional Jewish folktale (a scrupulous author's note provides sources). ``Forty days before a baby is born, the angels in heaven get together and decide whom the baby will marry . . . . Read full book review >

CHILDREN'S

Released: March 15, 1996

ONIONS AND GARLIC

adapted by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Katya Arnold

"Arnold's frenetic acrylic illustrations have a rough-hewn woodcut look; the action fairly sails off the page. (Picture book/folklore. 6-10)"

A classic tale about the fool who makes good, while his acquisitive older brothers are left holding the bag. Read full book review >

CHILDREN'S

Released: April 1, 1996

JUST STAY PUT

Gary Clement

"Clement's witty illustrations depict Mendel sometimes towering over the village, sometimes in miniature among giants, always slightly dazed. (Picture book/folklore. 4-8)"

Chelm, that village of ``extremely silly'' (as Clement words it) folk, is the setting of a splendidly idiotic tale of Mendel, a lazy man with his head literally in the clouds. Read full book review >

CHILDREN'S

Released: Oct. 18, 1996

GOLEM

by David Wisniewski, illustrated by David Wisniewski

"A fact- filled final note concludes this mesmerizing book. (Picture book/folklore. 6-10)"

The much honored cut-paper master (Sundiata, 1992, etc.) turns his attention to a retelling of the story of the Golem, created by a chief rabbi, Judah Loew, to defend the Jews against the ``Blood Lie'' (that Jews were mixing the blood of Christian children with the flour and water of matzoh) of 16th-century Prague. Read full book review >

CHILDREN'S

Released: March 10, 2003

THE BACHELOR AND THE BEAN

by Shelley Fowles, illustrated by Shelley Fowles

"A much-used theme with a clever twist that will bring smiles during each reading. (Picture book/folktale. 4-10)"

Fowles illustrates her first picture book, a magic-pot variant, with luminous watercolors that simply glow on the page like stained glass. Read full book review >

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS

Jewish Folklore in Picture Books (page 2)