Chanukah in Chelm

by David A. Adler, Kevin O'Malley (Illustrator)

When the rabbi tells Mendel to get a table for the Chanukah menorah, Mendel makes the task more difficult than it should be

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Jewish, Cultural, Fiction, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

David Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.

Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.

Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.

As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.

(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Julie Ditton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a typical foktale of the foolish people of Chelm. As Adler points out in the forward, there is the real Chelm in Poland and then there is the mythical Chelm of Jewish folklore. WeJews often make fun of ourselves and the people of Chelm entertain because of there simple silliness. Addler tells a story of a young man in search of a table so that he can set the Chanukah menorah in the window. The story itself is average, but Adler fills the pages with characters making comments that are actually puns and jokes. Most of them are real groaners. This humor liven up the story. Kevin O'Malleys illustrations are humorous as well. I liked some of the silly details, like the Rabbi's breakfast bowl upon his head. The sardonic cat who appears on every page seems put upon by the stupidity that surrounds him. He may be the only actual wiseman of Chelm.

The book itself is great! I only have a reservation with the tradition of Chelm stories. This is a Chanukah book and it's intended audience is Jewish. Our people often laugh at themselves. But this book that portrays a whole village of stupid Jews without even one or two wise men, can send the wrong message to other readers. i recommend this book for Jewish families, but not for classrooms sharing multicultural holiday stories.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and humorous story. Loved finding the sardonic cat on each page and seeing the funny plays on words sprinkled throughout. Also loved learning about the Jewish culture, the lighting of the menorah, and the make-believe town of Chelm.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up because Chelm. This was such a great, funny picture book!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure I'm much of a chelm fan. If I were a chelm fan, I'm sure this book would be great.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some very cute little jokes in this book. It is a lovely read.

[Genny Flett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subgroup: Hanukkah (Judaism)

Genre: Folklore

Topics: Common holiday ritual and traditions

Synopsis: The story takes place in a Chelm is that a town famous in Jewish folklore. This town is made up of people who have very little sense. Mendel, the synagogue caretaker, is asked by the Rabbi to find a table to set the menorah on so everyone in the town can see it lit for "Chanukah." Mendel looks in the storage closet and does not find a table to sets out on a journey to borrow a table from Berel, the carpenter. There he finds a table and decides he will carry it back. On his way back, he realizes the table is too heavy so he sets in down in hopes that the table will walk itself back to the town. When Mendel arrives back to the town, he waits for the table but it never shows. The Rabbi tells him they will just have to do without the table and that Mendel needs to go get the matches from the storage closet. When Mendel walks in, he notices that there is a table there and they use that table for the menorah. This book is quite humorous and the illustrations add to the story tremendously throw the use of quote bubbles.

Adler, D. A., & Malley, K. (1997). Chanukah in Chelm. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard/Morrow.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 'Wise" folk of Chelm who live in a mythical Polish town are faced with a problem of momentous proportions. There is no table on which to place the synagogue's Channukah menorah, the first night of the holiday is drawing near, and this seemingly simple problem generates hilarious results.

This version of the traditional "wise" men of Chelm tales does not disappoint as the characters engage the readers with their simple foolishness. The speech bubbles embedded in the illustrations, often containing puns and double entendre, enrich the already humorous tone. This version would be an appropriate way to introduce these beloved characters to primary students, who may later choose to read the more sophisticated versions by Isaac Bashevis Singer (see Isaac Bashevis Singer's Stories for Children.)The jokes in the speech bubbles have a decidedly contemporary tone, which present an interesting contrast to the old-world charm of these traditional Jewish and Yiddish folktales.

[Lisa Overberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a young man who is a part of a Jewish community. For Chanukah, he needed to find a table to place the Menorah on and he goes on an adventure to find one. After struggling to get one, he realizes that he had one all along. It includes simple comedic humor and side jokes made by animals and/or community members.

Grade Level Equivalent: 2.0-3.9

[Abigail · Rating 1 out of 5]

Story was confusing. I didn't like the quotation bubbles, even though some of them were funny and played on words, because they were distracting.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think some of the humor was over my 5 year old's head.

[Bear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic story - well told and the illustrations were quite fun.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A yearly ritual.

[Jewish Kids Book Circle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this hysterical story! Kids love the many plays of words.

[Lisa Bricker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, they're groaners, but I like the jokes and puns in this book!

[Ryn Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! It reminds me of Amelia Bedelia a bit.