Too Young for Yiddish

by Richard Michelson, Neil Waldman (Illustrator)

Young Aaron wants to learn how to speak to the chickens like his Zayde (grandfather). Zayde's stories and his many books, with their mysterious worlds and their guarded secrets, fascinate Aaron. But always Aaron is too young to learn Yiddish. Zayde thinks that Aaron, and all the new generation of American Jews, should speak English and play baseball–just like all Americans do. When Zayde becomes very old and can no longer see well enough to read his precious books, Aaron decides it is time that Zayde teach him to speak to the chickens before it's too late. This poignant tale about preserving a dying language and the memories of the people who spoke it is also an eloquent tale of America. The importance of heritage and culture, and of honoring the past while building a future, is instilled in young minds through this touching story.

Genres: Jewish, Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was good, about how a grandfather wants his grandson to assimilate in America and not learn Yiddish and how when that grandson is grown and has a son of his own he teaches his son from the Yiddish books he rescues from his grandfather, deciding that one is never to young to learn Yiddish.

But, my favorite parts were that the book is read from back to front (although not right to left) as Yiddish is, and the Yiddish vocabulary words that are in the back (well, front) of the book, and especially the information about the history of the Yiddish language and also about the National Yiddish Book Center. It provides a good short history lesson for kids.

[Haim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was cute that the book "read" from right to left. A very touching story about the value of maintaining one's culture and heritage.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasurable introduction to Yiddish for the uninitiated, and a fun review for others.

[Joya Threalkill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and very informative of the Jewish culture.

[H. Givens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio read by Leonard Nimoy, so of course I loved it.