Review: Golem Loves Latkes

Golem Loves Latkes: A Tasty Hanukkah Tale

by Doreen Klein Robinson, illustrated by Anna Krajewska

Intergalactic Afikoman, 2025

Category: Picture Books

Reviewer: Rebecca Klempner

 

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Golem Loves Latkes is a slapstick picture book kids will enjoy. Our narrator, referred to affectionately as "Bubbeleh," usually loves to visit her bubbe in Schmoozeville. But when she arrives just before Hanukkah, the neighbors who prefer sour cream with their latkes are at war with those who prefer applesauce. Instead of schmoozing amicably, everyone is screaming at each other. Bubbeleh and Bubbe make latke batter, and while Bubbe fries those latkes up, Bubbeleh starts crafting. First, she makes a dreidel. Then she makes a golem. It comes to life when it smells the delectable scent of the latkes. It eats them with sour cream, applesauce, and even with ketchup. When it runs out of latkes in Bubbe's house, it runs to the neighbors. It eats up their latkes, too! Finally, Bubbeleh catches up with the golem. It has a tummyache from eating too many latkes. The neighbors are still fighting ("His tummy hurts from the applesauce!" "No, it's the sour cream!") until Bubbeleh shames them by reminding them it's time to celebrate Hanukkah miracles rather than fight each other. Everyone gathers at Bubbe's for the candles, dreidel, gelt...and more latkes. The logic of this story is a bit thin...but the gleeful absurdity largely makes up for it. Colorful, whimsical illustrations add to the wacky good cheer.

There's a lot of delightful Jewish representation in the book. Not only do we have Bubbe, but the nameless narrator is referred to as "Bubbeleh" by her grandmother, both Yiddish terms. In fact, Yiddish is sprinkled throughout the book. Characters have common Ashkenazi last names. We have the referrence to Jewish folklore in the golem. We have references not just to Hanukkah items like latkes, hanukiyot, and dreidels, but also songs like "I Have a Little Dreidel." These are woven in beautifully...until we get to a somewhat clunky explanation of Hanukkah's origins. While any reader will enjoy the book, the frequent references to Ashkenazi cultural touchstones will best be appreciated by Jewish readers who will recognize them. I like the Jewish joy throughout the book and the inclusivity of Jews of Color in the illustrations. 

 

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Reviewer Rebecca Klempner has traditionally published four books for Jewish children. Her newest, How to Welcome an Alien, came out in 2023, and her previous book, Adina at Her Best, is a PJ Our Way pick. Her 100+ stories, essays, and articles for adult audiences have appeared in print and online, including on Tablet, The Layers Project Magazine, The Jewish Review of Books, The Wisdom Daily, Hevria, The Jewish Press, Hamodia and JewishFiction.net. In addition to writing, Rebecca edits, gardens, and runs very slowly on the streets of Los Angeles.