Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Faust
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Chanukah meets golem legend in a fun holiday mash-up.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
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What's the Story?
A boy finds himself bored by having to make a new dreidl out of clay each year in GOLEM, GOLEM, GOLEM: (OR HOW CHANUKAH WAS SAVED). So, he decides to study legends and learns about the golem. Like a rabbi of yore, the boy creates his own creature out of clay which also comes to life, eager to celebrate Chanukah with "feasting and basking" in the holiday glow. Although he can spin like a dreidl, the golem's bulky body spins out of control, causing chaos instead of joy. Holiday foods spill, and the family's menorah ends up broken. Both the boy and the golem feel regret. But things are made right again with the golem assuming a spot of honor. Along the way other children make clay dreidls, sing songs, read a book, and celebrate the first night of Chanukah. An author's note gives some historic background for the golem legend and explains the "clay connection" between dreidls and golems.
Is It Any Good?
Chanukah picture books present a particular challenge: how to get past cliches and offer a story that is respectful, illuminating, original, and fun. That rare blend is achieved in Golem, Golem, Golem: (Or How Chanukah Was Saved). The loose multi-media art boasts energy and emotion as a boy, bored with making a clay dreidl every year, decides to fashion a hand-sized golem instead. It is eager to spin into Chanukah celebration, but, instead of joy, chaos ensues. Both the boy and the golem feel remorse, but thankfully, things are set right again. Holiday foods, songs, and customs fill the pages along with Hebrew letters gracefully integrated into the telling. Carmel Ben Ami's cheerful art features a lively, diverse neighborhood where many Jews of color live. Embedded in this light-hearted holiday romp are sound lessons about remorse and amends. This delightful mash-up of the golem legend and a modern holiday story celebrates Chanukah along with good times, good feelings, and good values.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about their own winter holiday traditions after reading Golem, Golem, Golem: (Or How Chanukah Was Saved.) What and how do you celebrate?
Boredom comes up in the story. Are you ever bored? If so, what do you do about that? Does it take a certain courage to move forward on your own?
Have you ever accidentally caused a problem and regretted it like the boy and golem? If so, what and when? Were you able to make amends? If so, how did you feel when things were made right again? Did you feel gratitude like the boy and the golem did?
The boy in the story gets curious about Jewish legends. What makes you curious? How do you find out about what you want to know?
The last question in the author's note is a good one: What would you do with a lump of clay? Discuss!
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Carmel Ben Ami
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Family Stories , Holidays ( Hanukkah )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Gratitude
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Roaring Brook Press
- Publication date : September 1, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 6
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 26, 2026
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