Bibliographical information: 

Eric Kimmel, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (Holiday House, 1989)

Brief summary: 

A wanderer, Hershel of Ostropol, arrives in a village on the first night of Hanukkah, looking forward to fellowship and latkes.  However, the villagers have been forbidden from celebrating Hanukkah by goblins that haunt the old synagogue at the top of the hill.  Hershel outwits the goblins using only some eggs, a dreidl and a menorah.

Comments: 

This book doesn't tell the story of Hanukkah, but it helps children that the importance of celebrating the holiday is linked to the historical attempts to stop Jews from expressing their faith, whether in the ancient Near East or more recent Russia.  Hershel is clever and funny and the illustrations are wonderful--each goblin is a unique grotesque. 

Grade/Age level: 

This was a weekly standard at a Borders children's book hour in Santa Fe at holiday time, fascinating an audience that spanned ages 3-8.

Cautions: 

The first goblins are quite silly, but the last one is powerful and angry.  He is defeated, but some kids might get scared before this happens.

If you like this book, you might also like . . .

Patricia Polacco, Mrs. Katz and Tush (1994)

 --Elizabeth Hutchinson

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