PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase

PJ Library
  • 4.5 (155)
  • Stories for Kids
  • Updated Monthly

Deep in the basement of congregation Sofer Shalom, there’s a dusty library that’s really the home of a magical portal to another world. Join siblings Miri and Micah as they explore a mysterious land, where stories come to life! Enjoy fairytales with unexpected twists and Jewish lessons as Miri, Micah, and their friends, encounter golems, book worms, giants and even talking animals! For full credits and accompanying activities, visit pjlibrary.org/podcast.

  1. 1d ago

    A Great, Great, Great Adventure

    Supplies in hand and bellies full, Jacob and Blue follow Luna out into El Reino de lo Místico in search of a lost grape. It's part of a very important Rosh Hashanah tradition. Suddenly our crew finds themselves right in the middle of a monarch butterfly migration. Mari Posa and family help the kids take flight.   Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer Stempel 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: Jacob: Rebecca Lee Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle Luna: Belén Moyano Mariposa: Amanda D'archangelis Announcer: LD Castro

  2. Aug 18

    Time to Explore El Reino de lo Místico!

    Jacob and Blue head to the library for help with a school project, Jacob's "About Me" poster. Rather than steer them to the autobiographies, PJ recommends the kids check out a vibrant book about alebrijes and magical and mysterious things start to happen. Join Blue, Jacob, and new friend Luna in an adventure through El Reino de lo Místico. A special Beyond the Bookcase adventure created in partnership with Jewtina y Co. begins now. ¡Dale!   Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library Writers: Jan Schwaid and Jennifer Stempel 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: Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella Jacob: Rebecca Lee Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle Mr. Saifair: Gregory David Barnett Golem: Pat Bordenave Luna: Belén Moyano Mami: Jasmine Romero Papi: LD Castro Pedro: Luis E. Mora

  3. Season 6 Trailer

    Beyond the Bookcase Season 6 Trailer

    PJ Library’s award-winning original podcast series Beyond the Bookcase returns to the PJ Library Presents podcast network with new episodes this August. The four-episode special is produced in collaboration with Jewtina y Co., a vibrant global community dedicated to celebrating, elevating, and expanding Latin-Jewish community while strengthening identity, leadership, and connection to Global Jewry. Listeners will meet new characters such as Luna, an alebrije, who leads fan favorites Blue and Jacob on a tour through El Reino de lo Místico, a new area in the magical realm of Mashal.

  4. Mar 17

    A Very Mashal Bat Mitzvah

    One of Marion’s kids is getting ready for her Bat-Mitzvah, but she’s so nervous. The kids are there to help – along with special guests Cinderella and Prince Charming. For more about preparing to have a bar or bat mitzvah, head to pjlibrary.org/blog for expert advice and tips from Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal.    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:  Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella  Micah: Maxwell Glick  Miri: Arianna Fox  Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle  Evie: Sylvia Beth Schmitz  Jacob: Rebecca Lee  Mr. Saifair: Gregory David Barnett  Marion: Tianna Tagami  Shoshana: Lori Hoch Stiefel  Golem: Pat Bordenave  Cinderella: Gwen D’Angelo  Charming: Michael D’Angelo

  5. Mar 3

    To Bee or Not to Bee: A Shavuot Story

    Blue is feeling a little let down by their friends this week – can a trip to Mashal, and a chat with Queenie and Mr. Saifair help?   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:  Blue: Maya Aoki Tuttle  Micah: Maxwell Glick  Jacob: Cara Cabal Coniglio  Auntie PJ: Laura Rondinella  Mr. Saifair: Gregory David Barnett  Queenie: Niki Luparelli

  6. Feb 17

    Marion’s Mashal Adventures

    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  Micah – Maxwell Glick  Miri - Arianna Fox  Jacob - Cara Cabal Coniglio  Evie - Sylvia Beth Schmitz  Blue - Maya Aoki Tuttle  Auntie PJ – Madelaine Ripley  Golem - Pat Bordenave  Mr. Saifair – Tau Zaman  Goldilocks - Maya Aoki Tuttle  Baby Bear - Rich Wentworth    Story for Another Time: Passover in Mashal  Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson  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, the Woman in the 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    Mermaid Murmurs  Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson  Cast  Elijah – Nate DuFort  Rapunzel – Daniella Rabbani  Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett  Kid/Daughter – Alli Thresher  Junie the Mermaid – Yolanda Spearman  Prince Charming – Mike D'Angelo  Cinderella – Gwen D'Angelo  Marion the Not-So-Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe – Tianna Tagami    Golem's Challah  Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson  Cast  Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella  Elijah – Nate DuFort  Marion, the Not-So-Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe – Tianna Tagami  Kids 1,2,3 - Alli Thresher  Golem – Pat Bordenave  Don Swan – LD Castro

  7. Feb 3

    Mr. Saifair’s New Golem

    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

  8. 12/09/2025

    Hanukkah Playlist (Re-air)

    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).

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Deep in the basement of congregation Sofer Shalom, there’s a dusty library that’s really the home of a magical portal to another world. Join siblings Miri and Micah as they explore a mysterious land, where stories come to life! Enjoy fairytales with unexpected twists and Jewish lessons as Miri, Micah, and their friends, encounter golems, book worms, giants and even talking animals! For full credits and accompanying activities, visit pjlibrary.org/podcast.

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