Module 3: Caldecott Winners-Golem

Module 3: Caldecott Winners- 1990-2014

Book: Golem

Author and Illustrator: David Wisniewski

Plot

            The subject and study of The Holocaust is one I respect and regard with a sensitive touch. David Wisniewski’s picture book Golem is one I’d rather let tell for itself. Better than I could ever do, I will let Steve Barancik’s explanation of the plot be present here for, not being a Jew, I could never fully explain or put into words the book of Golem. “In Prague, Czechoslovakia, in the year 1580, Jews were consigned to a ghetto. More immediately, enemies of the Jews were spreading a "Blood Lie" (also known as Blood Libel) about them, namely that Jews were slaughtering Christian children for the purposes of Jewish rituals. The Blood Lie was being used to justify violence against the Jews of Prague. Enter, per the legend, Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the chief rabbi of Prague and a practictioner of Cabala (also Kabbalah), a form of Jewish mysticism. Inspired by a dream, and with the fate of his people at stake, the rabbi endeavored to create a Golem, a giant man "of untold power," made from clay. And, according to the legend, Golem did his job. By day, he was to masquerade as a "servant in the synagogue." But at night...

You will guard the ghetto...and catch those planting false evidence of the Blood Lie... You must bring them unharmed to the authorities. Golem did his job well, but his success only served to further inflame the ghetto's enemies. The story climaxes with them storming the gates of the ghetto. Golem then swells to truly monstrous size and angrily destroys the tormentors.

And with black and white morality, this could be easily justified. But author-illustrator Wisniewski captures both ways of looking at the creature. As he kills and maims, we see the hate in his eyes. We see that can't possibly be a good thing.”- Steve Barancik

Impression of the Book

            “My favorite definition of the religion of my birth describes it as an ethical religion. Many Jews would maintain that being Jewish doesn't even require the worship of - or even the belief in - God. It only requires a willingness to live one's life ethically, to consider seriously issues of right and wrong. And please know that Judaism doesn't tend to look at right and wrong as black and white. Our Talmud contains not only Jewish law, but, even more importantly, a discussion of the law, citing various and conflicting opinions on interpretation. It's from such a style of thinking that the story of Golem emerged. Wisniewski won the 1997 Caldecott Medal for this book featuring his cut paper renderings of the ambiguous creature. Cabala isn't something all Jews believe in, but the moral thoughtfulness of Golem captures the ethical soul of Judaism for Jews and non-Jews alike.”- Steve Barancik

            I loved the book and I loved researching about what other people thought about the book on academic and personal level. Many parents who read the book decided that Golem was far too scary and the story was complicated and too deep for their children; I beg to differ with such opinions. Stories from Hans Christian Anderson and the Brothers Grimm were just as scary but they dealt with Christian beliefs. In the Jewish culture, this book may very well be a book one introduces their children to it an early age because, truth is, this is the story of their past. There seems to always be this underlying lack of information regarding the history of the Jewish people but this book is a perfect gateway into multicultural literature. The illustrations are dark and ambiguous but so is the story. No, some children will not like this picture book but their parents will appreciate it, save it, and then give it back to the kids when they are older. What this book symbolizes is the author’s history and, knowing that, this book becomes more than just a picture book; it is a historical piece.

Usage in a Library

            During the days leading to Hanukkah, read this book but start by just looking at the pictures and asking the kids what they think is going to happen in the story based only on the illustrations and then read the book. At the end of the story time ask the children whether they thought the story turned out to be what they thought it would be. An activity would be to create their own Golem by doing the cut and paste method, like the book.

            With older kids and adults, this book is a great way to introduce the history of the Jews leading to the Holocaust and the eventual founding of Israel as well as its Social and Political standings (and implications) of modern day.

Reviews

“A monumental story of good and evil — and the gray areas in between — receives a dramatic presentation through Wisniewski's intricately cut colored-paper collage. The story takes place in sixteenth-century Prague, where Jews are being attacked mercilessly following the general acceptance of the "Blood Lie," a rumor that Jews are making their Passover bread from flour, water, and the blood of Christian children. To protect his people, Rabbi Loew decides to invoke the Golem, a giant made of clay. After creating the giant, the rabbi places the word emet (truth) on Golem's forehead. Every night Golem leaves the walled Ghetto, catching the men planting false evidence of the Blood Lie, and delivering them to the authorities. When Golem grows larger and more violent, killing many of his enemies, the emperor guarantees the Jews' safety if the rabbi will destroy Golem. Golem tries to hold on to his animated state, but the rabbi erases the first letter from the word on his forehead, changing emet (truth) to met (death), and Golem collapses into a mound of clay. Despite his violence, Golem is a sympathetic character; like King Kong or the monster in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (which this legend may have influenced), Golem is young and innocent, with a childlike ability to love and trust. The crisply cut colored-paper illustrations have been painstakingly created to show both small details and large landscapes. At times, some fussy detailing can distract the eye away from the main action, but not enough to dilute the power of the central character or the story. An extensive note provides origins and variations of the legend.” –Lolly Robinson, Horn Book Magazine

APA Citations

Barancik, S. (2014, February 19). Golem by David Wisniewski: Jewish Mysticism Circa 1580!. In Grown Up's Guide to the Best Children's Books Beacuse Reading Matters. Retrieved February 22, 2014, from http://www.best-childrens-books.com/golem-wisniewski.html

Robinson, L. (1997). Golem. Horn Book Magazine, 73(2), 208.

Wisniewski, D., Salsbery, L., & Clarion Books (New York). (1996). Golem. New York: Clarion Books.