This is the real deal—a Caldecott Honor book that's earned its place as a Hanukkah classic. Hershel uses his brain to outwit scary goblins night after night, and kids genuinely find it exciting and a little frightening (in a good way).
The illustrations don't pull punches. These goblins are creepy, with leering faces and menacing presence. If your kid still gets nightmares from mildly spooky content, wait a year or two. But for kids who like a little thrill with their picture books, this delivers.
What makes it great is that Hershel wins through cleverness, not strength. Each night he faces a new goblin and has to think his way out. It's suspenseful, it's funny, and it introduces Jewish folklore in a way that feels alive rather than educational. The 25-year track record speaks for itself—families keep coming back to this one.






