Shlemiel Crooks

If the fools of the fabled village of Chelm knew any better, they might be a little jealous of the attention Olswanger pays to a pair of bumbling thieves in her amusing if convoluted debut picture book. In 1919 St. Louis, the two shlemiel crooks of the title plan a heist of Reb Elias's new shipments of Passover wine, egged on by the ghost of the Pharaoh that had enslaved the Israelites in Egypt. Fortunately for Reb Elias, the ""lowlife"" klutzes make enough noise to rouse the sleeping neighbors and are forced to flee the scene of the crime, leaving the goods--and their horse and cart--behind. Inspired by archival newspaper accounts of a similar event experienced by one of her forebears, the author stirs bits of family history, Jewish heritage and humor into her literary stew, with an unusual recap of the Passover story added in. Unfortunately, the result is a mish-mash of digressions and confusing plot elements that will likely puzzle younger readers. The predominant Yiddish inflection and phrases are sure to give adults a chuckle, but may prove tiresome to the picture-book crowd. Newcomer Koz delivers arresting woodblock print artwork featuring thick black lines and a deep, jewel-tone palette. Her attention to old-world detail and a few funny scenes of the crooks in action or on the run give this project plenty of visual charm. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)