1990 Caldecott Honor Book, 1989 National Council for the Social Studies Notable Book, 1990 National Council of Teachers of English Notable Book, 1992 Colorado Children's Book Award, 1992 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
What are the poor villagers to do? The holiday-hating, hill-dwelling hobgoblins are bound and determined to ruin yet another Hanukkah for them. Every year the beasties snuff out the menorah candles, destroy the dreidels, and pitch the potato latkes on the floor. But these wicked wet blankets never counted on someone as clever as Hershel of Ostropol showing up. Using his wits and a few props--pickles, eggs, and a dreidel (a square-shaped top with Hebrew letters on each side)--Hershel manages to outwit all the creepy critters and break the spell. This fabulously creative adaptation of the ancient Hanukkah story in which the Syrians forbade the Jews to worship as they wanted, keeps the spirit of the original while adding a spine-tingling twist. Warmth and humor prevail, even in the midst of hopeless-looking circumstances. Award-winning illustrator Trina Schart Hyman creates lively and witty pictures that pair perfectly with Eric Kimmel's words to create this Caldecott Honor Book. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Beautifully written tale:
This well-written story is as relevant today as it was centuries ago, and the illustrations are imaginative and fun for children and adults too. Parents will enjoy reading this book aloud. One of the best Hanukkah books I've read. Proof is the kids liked it and stayed captivated throughout. Best for ages 3 through 12. Teens might like reading it to younger siblings.
Wordy:
It's wordy! People got impatient for the next page. Yet picture of Goblin King very cool.
Not Just for the Jewish:
I love books and I do not discriminate. This is a book about a simple man who looked monsters in the eye, and bested them all. He believed in himself and his God and triumphed. As an African-American and a Christian the value of this lesson is no less impressive to me.
Great stuff:
My parents had a copy of this when I was growing up, and now I'm finally getting a copy of my own. (My brother has the old one.) I kept telling my husband about this book, and it's about time we bought it. It's a great story of a clever person outwitting the bad guys, and it's about Hanukkah. There are plenty of stories about How Someone Saved Christmas, but this is the only one I know of with Jewish characters. It is a particularly good book for non-Jewish kids to read, since it's educational in an... more info
