You know her, you love her – she's Marion, the not-so-old woman who used to live in a shoe. Sometimes she still does... mostly she lives in a giant pumpkin with her many MANY children. Season 5 has a special surprise in store for our friend Marion, so let’s take a walk down memory lane through some of her most memorable episodes. Enjoy!  

And don’t forget to leave PJ Library Presents: Beyond the Bookcase on your favorite podcast platforms. 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library. 

Production: Producer, Alli Thresher; Digital Coordinator, Megan Bagala 

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA 

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore. 

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments). 

Episode credits:  

Goldilocks and the Tzedakah Project: 

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson 

Cast 

Story for Another Time: Passover in Mashal 

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson 

Cast 

Mermaid Murmurs 

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson 

Cast 

Golem's Challah 

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson 

Cast 

Rules are important – but are they fixed? Are there ever circumstances where a rule can or should be broken? Are there ways to reinterpret rules, even if they’ve been around for a very long time? The kids explore these questions with Queenie, Golem, and… another Golem?!  

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library 

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Petey Gibson 

Production: 

Executive Producer: Alli Thresher 

Digital Production Coordinator: Megan Bagala 

Audio Editing, mixing, mastering and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA 

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore. 

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments) 

CAST: 

Evie: Samantha Philyaw 

Micah: Maxwell Glick 

Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella 

Golem: Pat Bordenave 

Golem 2.0: Pat Bordenave 

Queenie: Niki Luparelli 

Chag Sameach! Enjoy a Hanukkah gift from PJ Library: a curated playlist of stories just for you. Whether you enjoy these on the way to a gathering with friends or snuggled up enjoying the light of the candles, we wish all of our listeners a wonderful Hanukkah.

For more Hanukkah fun, download our free guide, A Time to Hope or visit pjlibrary.org/hanukkah.

Episode Credits

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Producer: Alli Thresher

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

November is Mizrahi Heritage Month - celebrating the culture and customs of Mizrahi Jews - those with heritage from around the Middle East, Southwest Asia and North Africa. In this playlist, listeners will attend a Persian Passover, celebrate Chag Habanot with the mermaids of Mashal, and prepare a special dish for Shabbat. To learn more and to find books featuring Mizrahi characters and stories, visit pjlibrary.org.

The background music in the intro is licensed through Epidemic Sound.

It's Chag Habanot

Spice Up Your Life

Hi listeners! While the Beyond the Bookcase team works on the second half of Season 5, we have a very special bonus episode: a chat with a real-life monster expert! Join Golem and producer Alli as they sit down with Jack Zaientz from JewishMonsterHunting.com. 

If your children are into monsters, magic, and folklore, this episode features a creative look into the background of some of the creatures and characters living in the magical land of Mashal. 

This episode was written by Alli Thresher and Jack Zaientz. You can check out Jack and John Baltisberger's podcast for grown-ups at https://waywardchildren.buzzsprout.com

Jewish Picture Books for Kids Who Love Monsters

It's Sukkot in Mashal - what could be more fun? Join Miri and Micah as they are welcomed into the community sukkah by Zev, Farmer Serach, and some very boisterous little piggies.

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writers: Petey Gibson and Jan Schwaid

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments)

Hi Listeners,

Did you know that it’s almost time for Rosh Hashanah? The Beyond the Bookcase team sends your family wishes for a High Holiday season and new year full of love, health, happiness, and (of course) great Jewish stories – just like the Rosh Hashanah-themed ones in this playlist.

For more ideas - and to download our free holiday guide, visit pjlibrary.org/RoshHashanah   Shanah Tovah!

Credits:

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Petey Gibson

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments)

A Fairytale Feud (cast):

The Kids Prepare a Rosh Hashanah Seder

Turnaround Teshuva

Evie and Jacob are getting on each other's nerves--to save their friendship, Auntie PJ sends the kids on an errand to Mashal. Come along as Mr. Saifair, Golem, and special guest, Dafi Saifair, help the kids make amends, and return to their best selves in the new year. 

Credits

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writers: Petey Gibson and Jan Schwaid

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

Cast:

The kids pop over to Mashal to deliver some Rosh Hashanah cards (and try to cheer up Jacob). While Mama Bear and Mary Quite Contrary prepare for a seder, the kids learn all about the simanim, symbolic foods of Rosh Hashanah, and receive some perfect advice for starting the year off right.

Credits

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Petey Gibson

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

Cast:

Welcome back listeners! Today Chicken Little has a feeling, Bubbe has a vision, and Snow White has a handy solution. Join the crew as we learn about the mitzvah of visiting the sick in the Season 5 Premiere of Beyond the Bookcase. 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).