Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

 Enjoy my latest book review!

Book Review #6, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

1.       Bibliography: Kimmel, Eric. Scholastic Inc., 1990. ISBN: 0590440578.

2.       Plot Summary: This is a tale about how a village can no longer celebrate Hanukkah, due to goblins that cause trouble whenever the village people try to do things, such as light candles, or make latkes. One man, Hershel, decides that he will try to help the people, thinking it will not be too difficult. Hanukkah is celebrated over eight nights, so the story unfolds over those eight nights. Each night, Hershel works hard to outwit the goblins. All appears to go well, until the king of the goblins arrives early. Although he is scary, Hershel still works very hard to trick the king, allowing the villagers to enjoy the last night of Hanukkah.

3.       Critical Analysis: This is a fun story to share to celebrate Hanukkah. The story has traditional folktale elements, including a hero who is good at outsmarting others, a problem, some magic, a vague setting of a small village, and a moral. This would probably best be described as a trickster tale, due to the hero character outsmarting the villains. The illustrations are realistic in this tale, such as showing the villagers gathered around the Rabbi and Hershel in the beginning. Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, the illustrations of the goblins are especially fun and imaginative. The goblins are mostly silly looking, to reflect them being so easily outwitted by Hershel. The greedy goblin from the second night is particularly goofy and sloppy looking, with bulging eyes and his tongue smacking his lips to show hunger. The king of Goblins is drawn as a dark and shadowy figure, very ominous and scary looking. Text accompanies this, stating, "Even in the darkness he could see the outline of a monstrous shape filling the doorway, a figure too horrible to describe". This aligns perfectly with the drawing, as readers can only make out fiery looking eyes , wings, and a thorny head. Young children might actually be afraid of this part of the story, giving empathy to Hershel, who must defeat this goblin or lose. This story also teaches readers about Hanukkah, how it is eight days long, the food that is eaten to celebrate, and games that people enjoy during the holiday. The ending illustration shows Hershel in solitude by the menorah, symbolizing how he, alone, defeated the goblins. In the distance, readers can see the villagers await his return.  There is also an author’s note at the end that further explains this information. This is a welcome addition, as sometimes it is difficult to find Hanukkah stories. The moral that good prevails over evil is strong in this tale.

4.       Review Excerpts:

·         1990 Caldecott Award Medal

·         From Booklist, “This is a story whose essentials- cleverness, bravery, and otherworldly happenings- always attract readers.”

·         From Kirkus, “Rarely are author and illustrator so in tune.”

·         From The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, “Both are and history are charged with energy.”

5.       Connections: Display with other holiday folktale books.

·         DePaola, Tomie. The Legend of the Poinsettia, ISBN: 9780399216923

·         Brett, Jan.  Trouble with Trolls, ISBN: 9780698117913

·         Scholey, Arthur. Baboushka: A Christmas Folktale from Russia, ISBN: 9780763616199

Teach children about Hanukkah. Display items such as a menorah and dreidel. If time allows, also host a latke making demonstration and allow children to try them.

Have children imagine and draw their own goblins that could have been featured in the story.

Ask children to extend the story by imagining what happens after the story ends. They could write or discuss their own ideas.

 

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