Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
Worth buying if: You enjoy Eric A. Kimmel’s folkloric storytelling and Jewish-themed picture books.
Skip it if: You expect modern secular holiday realism rather than folkloric magic and tall-tale humor.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780823411313. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
In this 1994 picture book, storyteller Hershel uses clever tricks and candlelit courage to defeat a succession of goblins who sabotage a synagogue’s menorah and the town’s Hanukkah joy.
Why this book now
Classic Hanukkah picture book traditions make Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins a timely read for family celebrations or classroom holiday units.
30-second preview
Two quick cards, fifteen seconds each.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You enjoy Eric A. Kimmel’s folkloric storytelling and Jewish-themed picture books.
- You want a theatrical, illustrated Hanukkah tale about menorahs, goblins, and clever tricks.
- If you favor lyrical short chapters, the relationship develops slowly and realistically.
- You expect modern secular holiday realism rather than folkloric magic and tall-tale humor.
- You prefer extended chapter books instead of a short 30-page illustrated picture book.
- You need the newest edition, freshest examples, or the most current framing.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780823411313
Worth buying if: You enjoy Eric A. Kimmel’s folkloric storytelling and Jewish-themed picture books.
Skip it if: You expect modern secular holiday realism rather than folkloric magic and tall-tale humor.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Quick Easy to move through
At roughly 30 pages, this illustrated picture book reads in a single sitting—perfect for bedtime, storytime, or a classroom reading aloud.
What stands out here
This Holiday House edition highlights Kimmel’s lively narrative and the book’s stage-like scenes that invite dramatic reading and discussion of Hanukkah traditions.
Best way to approach it
Read aloud with expressive voices for each goblin and pause at the menorah scenes to let illustrations and ritual details land for listeners.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780823411313
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.