When Shlemiel Went to Warsaw: and Other Stories

In this collection of short stories, there is a mix of retellings of tales his mother told him as a child and ones that Singer created. The retellings are benign tales of tricksters, the foolish elders of the Polish village of Chelm, and the gullibility of poor Shlemiel. The stories that Singer made up are more reflective of his character and interests. There is the imposition of fate on imps, the complicated relationship between a rabbi and the local witch, vegetarianism, miracle workers, and fantastic dreams of other realities. The book was named a Newbery Honor Book. ( )

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Isaac Bashevis Singer's "When Shlemiel went to Warsaw" is a collection of 8 stories about the hapless denizens of a town called Chelm. They are sweet and humorous stories written with affection and wit. ( )