Description

A joyous modern-day twist on a Wise Men of Chelm folktale written by a fresh Jewish voice filled with humor, some juicy Yiddish terms, and smart, savvy kids brimming with innovative solutions.

"An enjoyable, rollicking read. Fun by the light of the moon—or anytime." —Kirkus Reviews

Oy, Chelm. Long known as home to the “wisest” people in Yiddish folklore. But what is Chelm like today? What if the kids were more clever than the rest of the townsfolk?

When the misguided adults of modern-day Chelm believe the moon has plunged into the lake, it’s up to the Schlemiel siblings to convince the grown-ups that their fears of a fallen moon are unfounded. Join Sarah and Sam in this hilarious twist on a classic Yiddish folktale as they use teamwork, innovation and patience to save the day...and night!

Here is a book that will expand young readers’ knowledge of Jewish culture beyond holidays, history, and the Holocaust, including a glossary of Yiddish terms to enhance understanding.

MORE PRAISE FOR THE SCHLEMIEL KIDS SAVE THE MOON:

"Children will grin while hearing or reading this story because in this one the kids are so much smarter than the grown-ups." —San Diego Jewish World

"A multicultural winner." —Foreword Reviews

About the author(s)

Dr. Audrey Barbakoff is a librarian, educator, and entrepreneur. She is the author of two picture books, The Schlemiel Kids Save the Moon and Mazel Toes!, as well as several professional development books for librarians. She holds a doctorate in education and a master's degree in library and information science. As a Jewish mother, she is passionate about passing down the vibrancy of Jewish humor, language, and stories to the next generation. Audrey lives with her husband, children, and chickens on an island in Washington.

Rotem Teplow is an Israeli illustrator who lives with her husband and two sons in a small village in Israel, near the Dead Sea. She enjoys yoga, reading books, and illustrating beautiful scenery. A graduate of Shenkar College of Design, she currently illustrates for newspapers and children's books worldwide.

Reviews

"An enjoyable, rollicking read. Fun by the light of the moon—or anytime."

"Smatterings of Yiddish, warm illustrations, and a diverse cast make this picture book a multicultural winner."

"The Chelm sto­ries con­tin­ue to stand the test of time . . . The Chelmites por­trayed in The Schlemiel Kids Save the Moon put a new twist on an old theme: the chil­dren are wis­er, savvi­er, and far more log­i­cal than their par­ents could ever hope to be."

"Centuries-old folktales transposed into a modern setting beget a cognitive dissonance that may have little ones pointing to present-day foils of smartphones and Google. The back matter features a helpful Yiddish glossary."

More by Audrey Barbakoff

More Jewish

More Religious

More Juvenile Fiction

More Humorous Stories

More Adaptations

More Fairy Tales & Folklore