The Garlic Eaters

A whimsical and warmhearted picture book about displacement, belonging, and the magic of a shared meal.

Deep underground, a tight-knit Yiddish-speaking family lives inside a great garlic bulb: they sleep on garlic cloves, bathe in garlic juice, and wear garlic peels for clothes. But after a very hungry mole tears through their roof, the Garlic Eaters are forced aboveground into a world that isn’t sure what to make of them. 

Rooted in Jewish experiences of diaspora, The Garlic Eaters is a children’s story about what it’s like to find a new home, and how a special ingredient can make all the difference. Garlic has long carried meaning in Jewish kitchens and folk traditions, whether tucked into pockets, hung on doors, or shared with neighbors. Author and illustrator Madison Safer weaves this history into a tale of imagination and tenderness, introducing young readers to the universal experience of starting over somewhere new—and finding, against all odds, a community to call your own. 

The Garlic Eaters includes an author’s note on the Jewish diaspora, a glossary of Yiddish terms, and a recipe for the Garlic Eaters’ favorite soup to enjoy with the whole family.

Reboot Studios is a Presenting Partner on The Garlic Eaters, supporting its development, release, and educational impact.

The Garlic Eaters is a new title from Somewhere, a publishing imprint dedicated to children’s books, art books, comics, zines, and other graphic and illustrated works.

Illustrated by Madison Safer

Designed by Melissa Weiss

About the Author

Madison Safer is an illustrator who is happiest in a forest full of mushrooms. She is inspired by Jewish paper cuttings, quilt patterns, and the warmth of a fire after a very cold day. When she is not napping or drawing, Madison is most often found drinking tea, practicing her challah braid, or stealing flowers. She is the illustrator of many children’s books, including Before Music: Where Instruments Come From (written by Annette Bay Pimentel) and Bring Back the Babka! (written by Marilyn Wolpin). Her forthcoming books include Hanukkah Is Here, Good Medicine (written by Kate Hoefler). Madison lives with her mischievous pup, Virginia Woof, in the sleepy hills of Western Massachusetts.

Book Details
66 pages | $22.95 | Hardcover | 8.25 x 10.75 in | ISBN: 978-1-961814-36-3 | e-ISBN: 978-1-961814-37-0
Publication date: September 22, 2026