"A Most Gentle Golem for a New Generation"– a review in Judith Magazine

Many thanks to Erica Lyons for her wonderful review of Kai and the Golem in Judith Magazine:

"Kai and the Golem, by Carol Matas, is a golem tale like you’ve never heard before. Matas weaves Jewish folklore, tradition, and adventure into a story that captivates young readers. Elisa Vavouri’s lively illustrations perfectly pair with this sweet multi-generational story.

Rich in imagination and grounded in Jewish tradition, Kai and the Golem teaches young readers the Jewish mitzvah of visiting the sick. The narrative also suggests ways to manage disappointment and strong emotions.

Kai is a thoroughly relatable protagonist whose hopes and frustrations will resonate with children. By the final page, readers are sure to be eager for Kai's next adventure with his extraordinary golem companion." ... click here for the the full article, including book illustrations and author bio

Something Special

I have a very special cover reveal! A book that is very dear to me has been picked up by PJ Our Way and will be sent out to readers in June. 

Why so special? It was originally published by my oldest friend in the world, Morri Mostow, by her independent press, Fictive Press, when traditional publishers passed on it. We were delighted when it was shortlisted for the National Jewish Book Awards – the first time any of my books had made that short list despite the many honours many of them had received. 

Sadly, Fictive Press closed a few years ago. However, a short time ago, PJ Library got in touch to say they would like to publish it.

Set in 1882 Arizona, Tuscon Jo features the spunky character, Josephine, a young woman unafraid to push the boundaries. When her father runs for mayor and wants her to behave like a perfect young lady, she would rather ride horses and defy her father by wearing trousers. In the process, she questions what freedom means. Does one person's freedom mean another person loses theirs? Can freedom mean equality? And does being Jewish mean you have less freedom than others? A rollicking Western ride with lots of fun and some tough questions thrown in. Tuscon Jo is also an excellent book for teaching civics in today's complex world.