Too many golems

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.)

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) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.