Hersheland the Hanukkah Goblins (Folklore) by Eric Kimmel

Bibliography:
Kimmel,Eric. 1989. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. New York: Holiday House. Hyman, Tina Schart (illustrator). ISBN 0823407691

Plot Summary:
Kimmel's Yiddish folklore uses a trickster by the name of Hershel of Ostropol to tell how Hanukkah was saved for a village. Hershel is traveling the first night of Hanukkah longing to reach the village where he looked forward to bright menorah lights and delicious potato latkes (potato pancakes) to eat. But when he arrives at the village it is dark and quiet. The villagers explains to him how they have been robbed of Hanukkah by mean goblins haunting the old synagogue, preventing them from celebrating Hanukkah. They (the goblins) refuse to allow them to celebrated Hanukkah because these goblin hate Hanukkah. Hershel is disappointed that Hanukkah was not being celebrated and offered to help. In the village there isn't anyone brave enough to stand up to the goblins. The village people explain to Hershel that rid the synagogue of the goblins he must stay in the old haunted synagogue for eight days, lighting the candles on the menorah. Hershel is very clever and deceives the goblins. He is even able to deceive the king goblin on the eight night and saves Hanukkah.

Critical Analysis:
Kimmel's character Hershel of Ostropol in his book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is very clever folklore. Hershel is clever and have very quick wit. He outwits all the goblins, all eight nights to rid them of the synagogue. The first night he tricks the smallest goblin into believing he was strong enough to crush rocks. When he was really crushing his dinner a hard boiled egg. The little goblin trembles with fear and allows him to light his candle, warning him that the next night a bigger goblin was coming. this warning only left Hershel to dig deeper into himself and develop a more clever trick to outwit the next goblin and he did. each night he became more clever than the first night. finally he outwits the king of the goblin by making him think he was not afraid and can not see him. He tells him "Don't be silly. You're one of the boys from the village. You're trying to scare me." This really upsetting to the king goblin, leading him to fall right into Hershel plan. He lights the last candle so Hershel can see him, which in turns brakes the spell, saving Hanukkah for himself and the village.
Eric Kimmel's Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is a Caldecott Honor Book, with great lively illustrations of goblins and people.

Review Excerpt(s):
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.

Connect:
Eric A.Kimmel's book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblin can be used as a winter project of how different people celebrate different holidays around the world. Students read this book and other folklore about different holidays and do a report or compare and contrast of how people celebrate different holidays around the world.