PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase

Season 4 Finale: A Royal Wedding

Prince Charming and Cinderella’s wedding brings a fairytale ending for season 4! Or at least it might. The two royals come from very different backgrounds and can’t seem to agree on what traditions, customs, and creatures to include in the ceremony. They’ll need their friends (including a shockingly revealed rabbi) to help figure out what’s most important.

 

Credits

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Story Editor: Alli Thresher

Writer: 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

• Cinderella - Gwen D’Angelo
• Prince Charming - Mike D’Angelo
• Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
• Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
• Golem – Pat Bordenave
• Marion, The Not-So-Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe - Tianna Tagami
• Dolores the Donkey – Alli Thresher

Passover Playlist 2025

It's time for Passover! Settle in for a playlist full of stories featuring Passover traditions from all around the world. 

In Humpty Dumpty and the Passover Feast we’ll visit Humpty Dumpty as he prepares to host the seder for the first time. Next we'll Chase Joha Through Passover to see how families all over celebrate and get ready for Passover. And finally, we’ll settle down for a lovely Passover seder in Mashal in a special Story for Another Time.

Credits

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

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).

Humpty Dumpty and the Passover Feast

Cast

• Jacob – Cara Cabal Coniglio
• Evie – Sylvia Beth Schmitz
• Blue – Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Micah – Maxwell Glick
• Miri – Arianna Fox
• Auntie PJ – Madelaine Ripley
• Golem – Pat Bordenave
• Saifair – Tau Zaman
• Humpty Dumpty – John Henry Kurtz
• Hare – Daniel Amerman
• Goldilocks – Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Snow White – Laura Schreiber
• Chicken Little – Blair Which

Chasing Joha Through Passover

Cast

• Auntie PJ – Madelaine Ripley
• Evie – Samantha Philyaw
• Elijah – Nate DuFort
• Micah – Maxwell Glick
• Ms. Shouhed – Daniella Rabbani
• Farrah – Daniella Rabbani
• Joha – Ryan Abedi
• Mr. Fodor – Les Horovitz
• Catriella – Alli Thresher

Story for Another Time: Passover in Mashal

Cast

• Miri – Arianna Fox
• Evie – Samantha Philyaw
• Blue – Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Jacob – Caro Cabal Coniglio
• Joha – Ryan Abedi
• Elijah – Nate DuFort
• Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
• Micah – Maxwell Glick
• Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
• Marion Woman in Shoe – Tianna Tagami
• Chicken Little – Blair Which
• Snow White – Laura Schreiber
• Golem – Pat Bordenave
• Cinderella – Gwen D'Angelo
• Humpty Dumpty – John Henry Kurtz
• Dolores the Donkey – Alli Thresher

National Storytelling Month Playlist

In honor of National Storytelling Month, the PJ Library team has put together a small selection of "stories for another time" from Beyond the Bookcase seasons 4 and 5. Enjoy!

Golem Answers a Listener Question And Makes a Playlist

Beyond the Bookcase will return with new episodes this August! For now, enjoy a special note from Golem, a listener shoutout, and a playlist of our clay protector's favorite stories. 
For full cast information and credits, please go to pjlibrary.org/podcast

Emergency Alert! The Season 5 Premiere

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).

Cast:
Chicken Little: Blair Which
Bubbe: Edrie
Evie: Samantha Philyaw
Micah: Maxwell Glick
Snow White: Laura Schreiber
Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella
Various voices: Alli Thresher

The Kids Prepare a Rosh Hashanah Seder

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
Consultant: Rinat Hadad Siegel

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
• Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella
• Jacob: Rebecca Lee
• Mama Bear: Yolanda Spearman
• Mary Quite Contrary: Journee LaFond

 

Turn Around 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:

• Evie: Samantha Philyaw
• Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella
• Jacob: Rebecca Lee
• The Saifairs: Gregory David Barnett
• Golem – Pat Bordenave

The Rosh Hashanah Playlist

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
Consultant: Rinat Hadad Siegel

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):

• Snow White – Laura
• Golem – Pat Bordenave
• Mr. Saifair - Gregory David Barnett
• PJ - Laura Rondinella
• Elijah – Nate DuFort
• Kitten 1 - Malcolm Villaverde
• Kitten 2 - Molly Villaverde
• Kitten 3 - Blair Which
• Pigs 1, 2, 3 – Rich Wentworth

The Kids Prepare a Rosh Hashanah Seder

• Evie: Samantha Philyaw
• Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella
• Jacob: Rebecca Lee
• Mama Bear: Yolanda Spearman
• Mary Quite Contrary: Journee LaFond

Turnaround Teshuva

• Evie: Samantha Philyaw
• Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella
• Jacob: Rebecca Lee
• The Saifairs: Gregory David Barnett
• Golem – Pat Bordenave

The Three Little Pigs and the Very Tall Community Sukkah

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.

To learn all about sukkot - and figure out how to build your very own teeny tiny sukkah like Miri and Micah, head to pjlibrary.org/sukkot.

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

• Micah – Maxwell Glick
• Miri – Arianna Fox
• PJ - Laura Rondinella
• Famer Serach -- Daniella Rabbani
• Various little pigs -- Alli Thresher

 

Bonus Episode: Golem Meets a Monster Hunter

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

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library

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

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

More for kids who love monsters and folklore: 

Jewish Picture Books for Kids Who Love Monsters
Og Goes Rogue: A Modern Folktale About Og the Giant (mentioned in the show)
Meet the Land of Mashal's Farmer Serach in the Season 2 finale