These rollicking tales of the Helmites--full of both merriment and wisdom--are guaranteed to delight children of all ages. The collection of Jewish folk tales that the New York Times called "a delightful little book . . . a classic of its kind . . . full of merriment and wisdom." Illustrated with whimsical drawings, these humorous stories are just right for children. Read along as the people of Helm are faced with foolish challenges and watch how they come together as a community to merrily overcome them. The collection of stories celebrates life in Helm where the townsfolk's well-meaning but often comical actions lead to unexpected and entertaining outcomes “Brilliance… imaginative vitality…ironic humor …The Helmites are often destitute, but they are never discouraged and - even more important - never dull.”  – Commentary “We must be grateful to Mr. Simon, who having fortuitously come upon the Town Record of Helm, faithfully transcribed it for us… he not only writes about rollicking episodes but also keeps in view the underlying truths of life…illustrations are delightfully refreshing and humorous…full of merriment and wisdom.”  – The New York Times Book Review “Especially recommended to storytellers.”  – Saturday Review of Literature “From the Treasure of Jewish folklore… they get down to basic elements in human nature - and in this case to the element that distinguishes out human species, the ability to laugh at ourselves.”  - New York Herald Tribune Book Review “Solomon Simon’s Wise Men of HelmI is a little town ‘deep in the forests of Poland,’ but suspiciously  like Gotham. The wise men, like the Gothamites, are fools of a lovable sort, and their misfortunes are merry. Folkloristic, if not folklore…”  – New York Folklore Quarterly