Tashi and the Golem

0.0

Nobody knows for sure when golems were first thought of, but they’ve been around in Jewish culture for thousands of years. Back then, a golem was a half-formed creature – a kind of spirit. Later on, in the Middle Ages, people became very interested in magic and they tried to make persons from clay or wood. Legend tells us they called these images golems. The usual way to make one was to write the word truth on a slip of paper and put it in the mouth or on the forehead of the image while a secret formula was said. The golem stories grew very popular in the 16th century, when the world grew even more dangerous than usual for Jewish people. The golems became their protectors. The most famous golem was made by Rabbi Judah Low of Prague, in the 1500s. And from that time, every generation had a favourite golem to help in time of need. In most legends the golem can’t speak, he simply obeys. But before we knew it, our golem had a voice and a mind of his own. And we really like him that way. ANNA FIENBERG ‘The Golem surged to his feet and towered about us. He was as tall a ship. "I am hungry." he said.’ Tashi and his friends use clay and magic to make a golem who will stand up to the big bully boy called Bang Bang, but will their Golem obey them. And they rescue Little Sister when Bang Bang’s trouble-making brother gives her to the River Pirate. Sometimes there’s no time to think – Tashi just has to act fast! About The Author Anna and Barbara Fienberg write the Tashi stories together, making up all kinds of daredevil adventures and tricky characters for him to face. Lucky he’s such a clever Tashi. Kim Gamble is one of Australia’s favourite illustrators for children. Together Kim and Anna have made such wonderful books as The Magnificent Nose and Other Marvels, The Hottest Boy Who Ever Lived, the Tashi series, the Minton pictures books, Joseph, There once was a boy called Tashi, and The AmazingTashi Activity Books.