Jane Yolen is a Jewish, but not very religious writer, although she minored in World Religions at college. She read the holy books of all the great religions and what she loved most were the stories, many of which she has retold over the years.
In her long career as a writer, having over 400 books published, her first came out when she was 24 years old, and she is now 83. This book is number 415. But who’s counting?). She has written around 30 books that have strong Jewish content. But good stories are fun to read, whatever culture they spring from.
Oscar T. Perez was born in Valladolid, Spain, and has worked in many jobs related to the creation of images, such as illustrating children's books. Some of his books have been translated and published in France, South Korea, Brazil, Canada, China, Poland, and elsewhere. Nowadays, he is busy working on exciting new projects and books—some coming your way soon!
“In the afterword, Yolen talks more about Chelm (and about human nature) and defines the word schlemiel as “a bungler or fool who usually falls victim to someone else’s tricks”—although our very own Schlemiel is the wisest of the wise. The world needs more people like him.” - Jewish Book Council
