Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Doubleday Books for Young Readers (2001), Hardcover, 32 pages
Description
Two evil spirits wreak havoc on the town of Brisk's Hanukkah celebration, until the town's wise rabbi puts a stop to their mischief.
Awards
Sydney Taylor Book Award (Mass Import -- Pending Differentiation)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member STBA
A pair of devils make mischief in the shtetl of Brisk but the rabbi puts an end to their escapages. This jolly story transmits the tradtional message that sparks of holiness can be found in unlikely places.
LibraryThing member Wosret
I got this book partly to balance out the Christmas books in our library. We're not religious, and in North America Christianity is "the norm". We celebrate a secular Christmas (for lack of a better word - Santa day?). I feel that my kids should learn about lots of different religions.
The other
It's a cute story with a heartwarming message, even for the secular family.
The other
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reason I picked it up was for the illustrations. I'm a sucker for great children's book illustrations! The little demons are very well done. My kids really enjoy seeing each shape the demons take as they try to trick the Rabbi. It's a cute story with a heartwarming message, even for the secular family.
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LibraryThing member SJoachim
Some mischievous little devils try to ruin one town's Hanukkah celebration, but the quick witted rabbi tricks them and saves the day. Everyone is afraid, but the rabbi stays calm and gets rid of the evil spirits that are trying to ruin their celebration.
LibraryThing member raizel
SPOILER: As in Puss and Boots, the hero tricks the enormously powerful monsters to change shape into something small enough that he can destroy them, in this case cockroaches.
What made the book interesting to me was rabbi's reaction. While the townspeople are afraid of the objects that demons have
A quote that I think sums it up:
"Nothing is completely wicked," the rabbi replied. "Sparks of holiness exist in all things. Even in devils and their mischief. You came here to spoil our Hanukkah, but by recognizing what was beautiful and delightful in your tricks, I made them good."
What made the book interesting to me was rabbi's reaction. While the townspeople are afraid of the objects that demons have
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suddenly brought to life on the first night of Hanukkah, the rabbi is delighted by them. A quote that I think sums it up:
"Nothing is completely wicked," the rabbi replied. "Sparks of holiness exist in all things. Even in devils and their mischief. You came here to spoil our Hanukkah, but by recognizing what was beautiful and delightful in your tricks, I made them good."
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LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
Rabbis are often even more heroic than Puss in Boots, or Finn McCoul & wife. What a delightful book, even for this atheist!
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Author Eric A. Kimmel spins an original Hanukkah fairy-tale in this entertaining holiday picture-book, following the story of two mischief-making devils and the chaos their spells cause in the town of Brisk one winter night. Peeking in the windows, their incantations of "Zigazak!" cause dreidels to
Reminiscent in many ways of various folktales featuring devils and demons, who must be outwitted by the clever human hero, Zigazak!: A Magical Hanukkah Night presents an engaging tale, one of magic and hi-jinks at the holidays. The accompanying artwork by Jon Goodell is colorful and expressive - sometimes, as in the depiction of the devils as cockroaches, a little too expressive! - and accentuates both the humor and the fear of the story. With the proviso that alert parents and caregivers should perhaps avoid giving this one to timid or easily frightened children, I would recommend this one to those searching for fun, magical Hanukkah stories in picture-book form.
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sprout legs and latkes to fly, leading the terrified citizens to rush to their rabbi for help. Being a wise man, the rabbi is unafraid of the devils, even using his wits to get them to do some good magic, before tricking them into a form which he can banish...Reminiscent in many ways of various folktales featuring devils and demons, who must be outwitted by the clever human hero, Zigazak!: A Magical Hanukkah Night presents an engaging tale, one of magic and hi-jinks at the holidays. The accompanying artwork by Jon Goodell is colorful and expressive - sometimes, as in the depiction of the devils as cockroaches, a little too expressive! - and accentuates both the humor and the fear of the story. With the proviso that alert parents and caregivers should perhaps avoid giving this one to timid or easily frightened children, I would recommend this one to those searching for fun, magical Hanukkah stories in picture-book form.
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ISBN
0385326521 / 9780385326520
Other editions
Zigazak! : A Magical Hanukkah Night by Eric A. Kimmel (Paper Book)
Zigazak!: A Magical Hanukkah Night by Eric A. Kimmel (Hardcover)