The Golem's Latkes

by Eric A. Kimmel, Aaron Jasinski (Illustrator)

Overview

On the first night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Judah has too much to do and too little time to do it. Before the rabbi leaves to visit the emperor, he tells his housemaid Basha that she can ask the golem to help. While the golem makes latkes, Basha decides to visit a friend. Basha is having so much fun with her friend, she doesn’t realize that latkes are pouring out of the rabbi’s house, sending people running! Will Rabbi Judah come up with a solution to control the golem before it’s too late? Illustrated with lively acrylic on wood, the book also includes an Author’s Note about the tale’s origins.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781662535086
Publisher:	Amazon Publishing
Publication date:	05/20/2025
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.54(w) x 6.57(h) x 0.14(d)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Author Eric A. Kimmel is well known for the tales he has retold from around the world. Some of his best-known titles are Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (a Caldecott Honor book), Gershon’s Monster, Anansi and the Talking Melon, and The Runaway Tortilla. A former professor of children’s literature, he lives in Portland, Oregon.

Illustrator Aaron Jasinski’s paintings have shown across the United States and Europe. He also illustrates children’s books, album covers, and creates electronic music. Jasinski lives in the state of Washington with his wife and four children.

Editorial Reviews

Kimmel’s storytelling is effective in its use of suspense, humor, trope, and repetition, making a fine read-aloud holiday treat.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This lively picture book blends the Jewish legend with the story of the Sorcerer's Apprentice.” —Booklist

“Kimmel has the pacing of a comic, and the illustrations by Jasinski (The Heart's Language) are richly detailed.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

The renowned Rabbi Judah Loew of Prague and his mythical golem appear in this Hanukkah fairy tale inspired byThe Sorcerer's Apprenticeand reminiscent of Tomie dePaola'sStrega Nona.

Rabbi Judah has much to do but little time. When he must visit the emperor, he allows his new housemaid, Basha, the assistance of the golem to clean the house and make latkes for the first night of the Rabbi's Hanukkah party. Basha must direct the golem to stop his task by saying, "Golem, enough." Basha, however, is so impressed by the golem's effortless, incessant work she decides to visit a friend while the golem continues to "PEEL. CHOP. MIX. FRY." Hours later, a mountain of golden, crispy latkes overtakes the city walls, proving that the golem indeed does "have clay for brains ... [and] doesn't know when to quit." As all Prague residents happily partake in the Hanukkah delicacy, Basha wonders if a mountain of golem-baked hamantaschen can be possible for Purim.... Rich, earthy-toned acrylic paints on wood panels bring this predictable yet amusing Old World yarn to life with detailed brush strokes to invoke the mottling of the hand-molded clay giant or the silky fur of the Rabbi's wideshtreimelhat. The golem, which could be frightening, here is painted with a beatific smile and, despite his size, looks about as threatening as Gumby.

Kimmel's storytelling is effective in its use of suspense, humor, trope and repetition, making a fine read-aloud holiday treat. (author's note)(Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews