Hershel and the Hanakkah Goblins

Kimmel, Eric. (1985), Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Ill. Trina Schart Hyman. New York: Scholastic

Hershel travels to a new town expecting to be greeted by Hanukkah but the town is dark. Inquiries result in Hershel going to stay in the synagogue to break the hold the goblins have on the town.

This is a traditional trickster tale. The protagonist learns that the town is held in bondage. He decides to do something about it. At first he deals with minions; tricking them proves simple. But on the last day he must face the goblin leader, a gruesome and violent entity. Hershel nearly loses courage but he rallies and tricks the goblin, having him light the candles and breaking the bondage on the town. With the breaking of the control over the town, the synagogue is cleansed through destruction, leaving only the alter (table) remaining.

Like many folktales, this one is a religious tale. According to the author, Eric Kimmel, it represents the bondage of the Jews by the Syrians, who would not allow them to worship by traditional means. The Syrians were defeated by a small army of Jews. The illustrations are detailed and beautiful. At one point, the illustrator uses shadows and monochromatic colors to emphasize the hold the goblins have over the synagogue.

Children's Literature
Can Hershel really rid the village synagogue of goblins? He successfully uses his wits to oust the eight creatures haunting the old synagogue and who are preventing the villagers from celebrating Hanukkah. Kimmel provides a humorous, entertaining and just slightly scary story for all young readers. Hyman's illustrations emphasize all of the tension with dark scenes of the goblins and their attempts to frighten Hershel. A Caldecott Honor Book.
Alternative Family - Bobbie Combs
Hyman's pictures are filled with drama, expressive people and ugly goblins, and on the last page there's an author's note with an explanation of the history and symbols of Hanukkah.


This is an excellent book for comparative religious literature or trickster themed literature unitsl