"Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins"
by Eric A. Himmel is my kids' favorite Hanukkah book for many reasons but mainly for the goblins. This book rocks. It takes some of the traditional ideas of Hanukkah like the dreidel game and lighting of the menorah and gives them a fun spin (no pun intended). On the first night of Hanukkah Hershel of Ostropol, starving and exhausted from travel, happens upon a town thinking it would be full of holiday merriment only to discover a silent, dark village. Finding out from the village rabbi that they're being tormented by a rowdy band of anit-Hanukkah goblins Hershel vows to rid them of their paranormal problem. Pointed in the direction of their haunted synagogue Hershel is set to task determined to outwit the goblins and save Hanukkah for the village once and for all. Beautifully illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman the pages are filled with pictures of a dark village and its angry and concerned villagers and goblins that are as creepy as they are goofy. The story is a great mix of suspense and silliness that's sure to delight. The book concludes with a nice explanation page on the Hanukkah holiday. Don't be surprised if after reading this fun-filled story your kids are so psyched they beg for a plate of latkes and their prized dreidels so they can get to work practicing their mad spinning skills in preparation of the celebration.
