Too Many Golems

I am an author, which means I am supposed to have all the words, but this review is surprisingly hard to write. When I heard the news about Jane Yolen’s passing, I knew I had to post a review of one of her books. Indeed, I even had one in the queue just waiting to be reviewed. Yet somehow, when I sat down to write about Too Many Golems – written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Maya Shleifer- the words just would not come. Yolen meant so much to so many. She’s an author I read as a kid without even knowing she was Jewish! How does one review her work?

I decided to look to the book itself for inspiration. Abi, a Rabbi’s son, seems to be forever in trouble. Even when he tries to do something right and practice his Hebrew he goes ahead and steals an ancient scroll from the Synagogue to practice with. He had no idea reading the words would conjure up Golems. He’s a good host though, so while his cat cowers, he promptly invites the horde of magical marauders in and somehow convinces them that the real fight is his battle with Hebrew.

So they stay and help him.

It’s pretty remarkable when you get down to it. The idea that not all battles are worn with swords and sometimes the hardest thing one will do involves facing challenges is ingeniously packaged into a book with Golems so as to entice readers who’d prefer reading about slaying a dragon or riding a spaceship. Abi does not falter before the scary Golems. He offers them beverages. Instead of fighting with them, he struggles day in and day out to become a better person. Improving his Hebrew, but also his overall behavior. The illustrations are deceptively simple – they resemble a child’s crayon drawings except a closer inspection reveals much more skill and sophistication than the typical child can muster. They reflect the practice and honed skill of the artist. Just like Abi is practicing and honing his skills.

What better way to celebrate a children’s book writer who clearly put in the work, publishing hundreds of books for young readers, than with a book whose protagonist does the same? There’s so much to learn here, and the least of it is about GOlems. May Jane Yolen’s memory be for a blessing, as I’m sure her books will continue to delight readers for years to come.

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