A fun folktale about a sassy carp who slaps the community leader of Chelm, Gronam Ox, across the face with its tail. Such an insult cannot stand, the fish must be punished, but shall be done? Gronam Ox must ponder long and hard to find an answer, and when he does, it's a doozy! Kids will enjoy the silliness of these "wise" men and the "punishment" they come up with, and the illustrations are colorful and fun.

NetGalley, April Gray

This was just brilliant.
My seven year old son has loved listening and reading this with me.
He has read page after page and was excited.

NetGalley, Karen Andrew

Based on a Yiddish folk tale, The Wise Men of Chelm and the Foolish Carp is an amusing story of village elders out to rebuke a fish who insults their leader. The carp, who slaps Gronam Ox across the face with his tail, grows fat in custody while the so-called wise men decide his fate. Ultimately, punishment is meted out to the fish who, in my favorite illustration of the whole book, appears smugly to have anticipated his fate all along.

NetGalley, Sharla Desy

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Cleverly written, Isaac Bashevis Singer has created a story about a carp who is able to outwit the Jewish elders.
Gronam Ox of Chelm is presented with a large living carp in honour of his great wisdom. Set just before the sabbath, the story explains to the reader about the significance of the fish and the sabbath, and the old folktales say that the size of the carp's tale is indicative of its brain size. The carp commits a seeminglý foolish carp slaps its tail into the face of the Gronam Ox. The people of Chelm are outraged and the fish is kept imprisoned until a fitting punishment is decided upon.
This is a cleverly written tale where the reader has many questions to answer, was the Carp being foolish? Why was the Carp treated in such a way during and after its punishment? What would the reader have done instead if they were the Carp or the elders?
This book could be easily adapted as a classroom resource or just read to younger readers for pleasure. It teaches children about some Jewish customs as well as providing them with things to think about. The illustrations are beautiful and I'm sure many children will enjoy creating their own versions of them.

NetGalley, Kristina Watts

I really enjoyed this story and it is probably my favourite of the stories of Chelm I have read so far!

The stories of Chelm are always great for teaching morals to young children and this one was no different - it also has some stunning and beautiful images too which bring the story to life!

This story is an updated version of a classic Yiddish folktale and I love that this series allows me a brilliant opportunity to introduce my daughter to tales from different cultures. This book was easy to read, enjoyable for us both and one we will read again and again, it is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended and a pleasure to read and enjoy!

NetGalley, Donna Maguire

This is an interesting book about a carp and what happens to him. The illustrations are really done well.

NetGalley, Kaitlyn Waller

This updated version of the classic Yiddish folktale features outstanding illustrations. It’s release also presents a wonderful opportunity to introduce tales from different cultures to young children. The humor will entertain both children and adults. This is one of my favorites.

NetGalley, Morris Morgan

The stories of Chelm are always great for teaching morals to young children. In this story, part of the fun for the kids is the juxtaposition of the wise fish against the foolish men....after all, they try to drown a fish as punishment!
The kids get riled up by that and it usually starts a conversation.

NetGalley, Yvie Field