Five Little Gefiltes

by Dave Horowitz

When five curious young gefilte fish have the chutzpah to sneak out of their jar and set off to explore the world, they are followed by a loud OY VEY!—Mama Gefilte isn’t too happy to see her little ones leaving the nest. But she’s taught them well, and at the end of their adventures, each one proves himself a mensch—making Mama one proud gefilte indeed. Dave Horowitz’s playful rhyming tale, its illustrations packed with comic asides, will have readers giggling out loud and looking for opportunities to practice their Yiddish—with help from the handy glossary at the end of the book.

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Cultural, Religion

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

My name is dave horowitz. I grew up in Smithtown, New York in the 1970s. Instead of paying attention in school I drew pictures of my teachers. Then I went to a famous art college in Rhode Island and studied coloring.

In 1992 I graduated and went to Oregon to play drums and drink coffee. Then I moved to New York City and worked next door to the Twin Towers. Then I learned how to climb rocks and got fired.

Then I climbed rocks.

I moved up to the Hudson Valley and then to California and then to New Hampshire and then back to the Hudson Valley. Then I got a job as a “professional” rock climber. Then I got too old for that.

I still live in the Hudson Valley where I write and illustrate picture books. Also, I'm a paramedic. So far so good…

Reviews

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and fun introduction to the Yiddish language and culture. The definition of a gefilte in the beginning and the glossary of Yiddish terms in the back of the book are both extremely helpful without interfering with the story. A great way to share Yiddish culture with children.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five little gefilte fish head out into the world one by one in this hilarious rhyming picture-book from author/illustrator Dave Horowitz, and although their concerned mother keeps up a refrain of "Oy vehs!," fewer and fewer of them come back. Eventually Mama Gefilte is left on her own, making her solitary way to the park. But what's this?! Her gefiltes have been well trained, and prove themselves true mensches by visiting their mother...

Using the classic children's song about the Five Little Ducks as a jumping-off point, Horowitz creates an entertaining Yiddish adventure in Five Little Gefiltes, one that will introduce young children to quite a bit of vocabulary from that language, while also keeping them engaged with a silly sing-song story. I enjoyed the main story here, as well as the little speech-bubble asides, and appreciated the inclusion of a Yiddish glossary at the rear. Recommended to anyone in the market for humorous sing-song picture-books in general, or Yiddish-themed tales specifically.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

They went to a deli and crashed the buffet.
Such Chutzpah
Such a cute book. I fell in love with five Gefiltes.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, but totally went over my students’ heads.

[☺Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the stars! So fun to read aloud!

[Beth Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is clever and entertaining. There are small touches in the illustrations that will delight adults, and a lovely smattering of Yiddish words, along with a glossary at the end of the book. The mama crying "oy vey!" filled me with delight. A fun book for a grownup or a child.

[BookOfLife]

Hear an interview about Five Little Gefiltes with author dave horowitz (yes, he prefers lower case) on The Book of Life podcast's March 2007 episode at www.jewishbooks.blogspot.com.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story made me laugh all the way through. Love the inclusion of yiddish throughout, very cute rhythm and storyline.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Goodreader hasn't exactly been longing for a picture book about gefilte fish, but when I saw these five fishy characters were the stars of this book, I laughed out loud.

Fellow Goodreaders, what if you've never eaten this treat? You might want to take yourself to a grocery store and buy yourself a jar. Yum! But might I suggest? Only give yourself that treat after you finish reading this delightful book, because it's a treat too.

THE HUMOR, THE HUMOR!

The author's sense of humor bursts out in the first line of the Acknowledgments at the front of the book:

My mother likes to say, "As the pot stinks, so stinks the broth."
It's the Yiddish way of saying... well, I don't know what exactly.
So here's to everyone who helped make this book stink so good.

Reader's Tip: Look out for the talking kosher pickles later in this story. Definitely note the headgear.

SMALL CONTROVERSY: RESPONDING TO ONE PART OF THE BOOK

According to the author, gefilte fish are "like matzo balls made out of fish."

True, and yet this Goodreader can't stand matzo balls. Whereas gefilte fish are a delicacy, even better than blintzes.

RATING THIS PICTURE BOOK

I laughed. At the end I even teared up a bit.

Definitely, I'm giving this book FIVE STARS.

[Myklyn Reakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five gefiltes fish snuck out of their jar! The children are balls of chopped fish that are being served in a Jewish meal. They wanted to explore the world, so they head off to New York City and do many different things. Their mom is not happy when she finds out what her children have done. Do they return? Or do they stay out in the world? This is a humorous book for young readers!

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a gag gift but it ended up making me laugh so hard, I had to keep it. In a world increasingly rife with antisemitism, it does my heart good to read Yiddish. Funny, punny, and any Jewish mother will see herself in it.

[Journeywoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is adorable and my daughter loves it.

[McKendra Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book with interesting story. Great for wanting to teach/ learn about Yiddish culture/words.

[Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing makes me miss living in New York more than reading a book so full of love for New York and for Yiddish!

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly entertaining.

[Shoshanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute! Has lots of Yiddish words. Very silly!

[Danielle Matlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun little book that keeps Yiddish language alive.

[LauraR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was selected as a 2008 notable social studies books for young children. This book tells the story of five gefilte fish and their mother through a tale of Yiddish Culture. This creatively designed story is a tale of how five gefilte fish went out each day and day after day, one less came back home. Yiddish culture shines through in this story as words such as "oy vey", "mensch", and "kvelling" are used. This is a fantastic story to teach young children about this culture through humor.
This is a great picture book to use in any pre-kindergarten class through fifth grade. The pictures are large and the images of the characters remains consistent throughout. The mood of the pictures changes as the tone of the story changes, which allows the characters to laugh or feel sad depending on what is happening on that page. This story is also great to use because it is somewhat predictable. Every time one of the mother's gefiltes disappears, she says, "oy vey". Students are expecting that and can tell by the time the third child disappears, that is what is going to happen. Finally, older students in second-fifth grade could utilize this book in a different way than just learning about the Yiddish culture. Since there is a repetition to this book, students could write their own version in groups utilizing the same format. A great book and a definite recommendation for a school library!

[Jean Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Five Little Gefiltes by Dave Horowitz from the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (2008). A parody of Five Little Ducklings, Five Little Gefiltes is the silly story of 5 gefilte fish balls that leave their jar to visit various fun places in New York City (the theater, for example). After each trip, one gefilte decides not to return home, to which the mother exclaims “oy vey!”. Horowitz’s website claims “you don’t have to be Jewish to love this book—but it couldn’t hoyt!” This unique picture book (the illustrations and asides are hilarious) is full of Yiddish phrases that gives teachers/parents the opportunity to teach young children new expressions. Thankfully there is a glossary!

[Lauren Barone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can honestly say I have never heard of a gefilte before I read this story. I had no idea it was a type of fish. This was an interesting book to read and I liked the way some of the versus rhymed. It conveyed the message of curiosity and what can happen when curiosity takes control. The illustrations were exciting to look at and it was interesting to see where each little gefilte ended up the next day. It was like a guessing game.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oy, such a cultural reference sillyness-- we got this through PJ Library and are passing it on to another child. Based on Five Little Ducklings, which we don't like all that much, the gefiltes wander off and have Yiddish-filled adventures. (Our version had an explanation of what gefilte was in the front, and a glossary of the Yiddish terms in the back.) Probably a good replacement for The Carp in the Bathtub, though.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gift to me from a dear friend who works in Penguin's art department and wanted to brighten my day. It was a complete success! It's cleverly written, brilliantly illustrated, and even includes a Yiddish glossary in the back for Gentiles like myself. Recommended to anyone who needs a reason to smile.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3-year-old got this book from the PJ Library. Hilarious! Filled w/Yiddishisms. My son is now walking around the house pretending we're all gefiltes and saying "what are you talking about?". I can't get him to mimic the Yiddish accent though. He especially likes the "play" in the book, "Little Miss Matzoh."

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a used book store for $1. my daughter and I LOVE reading it and have easily read it together 25x.

the story is sweet, and funny, all while teaching a bit of Yiddish. try to read it aloud WITHOUT a classic New York accent.

In addition to the sweet story, the illustrations are wonderful.

what a treasure!

[jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'd probably have to be Jewish and grown up in NY to get this one, but it's great. Fun to find the little gefiltes hiding... Also, makes me want to do a study of Jewish picture books to see how New York appears as a "character" across stories.

[Yapha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely hilarious book! It is perfect for Passover and all year round. It is a super cute counting book for young children, plus all of the side notes will keep the adult readers amused. Just perfect for your favorite Jewish preschooler.

[Erica Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very cute and the pictures went wonderful with the story. I also liked how they have the good faces and that they talked. Also this book teaches you about a Jewish food. And also has some Jewish words which is a wonderful way to learn about someone else's culture

[Shari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute take on Five Little Ducks. It is just before a holiday and Mama loses track of her gefilties, one by one. Filled with Yiddish phrases and Jewish tradition it introduces a minority culture with humor.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to conversational Yiddish, and the incredible amount of guilt a Jewish mother is able to lay upon her children. Fantastic details really evoke a memorable and believable pre-Giuliani New York City.

[Vivienne Gucwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Such a nice book." I was drawn in by the cover art and perfect quote. It's a smile-inducing read with wonderful illustrations. I loved the usage of extremely New York City phrases. I live on the Lower East Side and this feels like it's an homage to everything old-school New York City.