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Available
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Publication
Scholastic Press (2000), Edition: 1st, 32 pages
Description
When his sins threaten the lives of his beloved twin children, a Jewish man finally repents of his wicked ways.
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, began two days ago - Shanah Tovah to all who celebrated, and may you enjoy a wonderful 5772! - reminding me to take down my copy of Gershon's Monster, Eric A. Kimmel and Jon J. Muth's lovely picture-book retelling of a traditional Hasidic tale related to this
This story offers an interesting perspective on the Jewish custom of tashlich, in which the previous year's sins are symbolically cast off into a body of water, on the first afternoon of Rosh Hashanah (see April Halprin Wayland's New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story for another picture-book about tashlich), in that it implies that the casting off, in and of itself, is not enough. True understanding, of the nature of the transgression, and repentance for it, are also obviously necessary. By the same token, the narrative seems to imply that the ritual (which is not named in the story) cannot be used as an excuse for misdeeds throughout the year (no "Oh, who cares if I break my word? I'll atone for it later" kind of thinking). A thoughtful story, one that can be used to encourage real ethical discussion with children, when it comes to the question of how we deal with our own mistakes and misdeeds, Gershon's Monster is also a beautiful book, with gorgeous watercolor illustrations from Muth, who is best known for his picture-books about Stillwater, a panda-bear Zen instructor.
All in all, this is an immensely evocative, thought-provoking book, one with an engrossing story, and delightful illustrations (not to mention an author's note about source material, which is always welcome!), and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for such stories for children, or for anyone in need of Rosh Hashanah selections.
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important time of the Hebrew calendar. The story of Gershon, a man who, rather than repenting of his various small transgressions, and making amends for them, sweeps them into the basement, collects them, and dumps them into the sea every Rosh Hashanah, it presents the important idea that we are never really free from the consequences of what we do, and how we treat others. In Gershon's case, his growing legacy of unrepented misdeeds eventually becomes a monster, and although he has not hitherto cared very much about his behavior, he does care about his children, who are the ones threatened by that monster...This story offers an interesting perspective on the Jewish custom of tashlich, in which the previous year's sins are symbolically cast off into a body of water, on the first afternoon of Rosh Hashanah (see April Halprin Wayland's New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story for another picture-book about tashlich), in that it implies that the casting off, in and of itself, is not enough. True understanding, of the nature of the transgression, and repentance for it, are also obviously necessary. By the same token, the narrative seems to imply that the ritual (which is not named in the story) cannot be used as an excuse for misdeeds throughout the year (no "Oh, who cares if I break my word? I'll atone for it later" kind of thinking). A thoughtful story, one that can be used to encourage real ethical discussion with children, when it comes to the question of how we deal with our own mistakes and misdeeds, Gershon's Monster is also a beautiful book, with gorgeous watercolor illustrations from Muth, who is best known for his picture-books about Stillwater, a panda-bear Zen instructor.
All in all, this is an immensely evocative, thought-provoking book, one with an engrossing story, and delightful illustrations (not to mention an author's note about source material, which is always welcome!), and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for such stories for children, or for anyone in need of Rosh Hashanah selections.
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LibraryThing member STBA
When his sins threaten the lives of his beloved twin children, a Jewish man finally repents of his wicked ways.
LibraryThing member jpeer
A Jewish tale about a man named Gershon who like all people makes mistakes but the difference is he does not fix them. He sweeps them into his cellar untl the new year and throws them out to sea to forget them. He and his wife yearn for a child and are granted twins by the "mircle rabbi" but is
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told in five years they will be taken away due to his mistakes. Confused and upset Gershon leaves and forgets all that is said by the rabbi. Five years later, he remembers what was said and rushes to save his children for the monster he has created in the sea from his mistakes and self-sacrifices himself to save his children. He finally sees what wrongs he has done and that recognition rids him of the monster. I love the illustrations and details of this book. It captures many details about the Jewish culture in the pictures and some text. I think the message is wonderful in teaching us to solve our mistakes and apologize for our wrongdoings. Show Less
LibraryThing member allie_mansfield
I like how there was a great depiction of jewish tales, Rosh Hashanah. The illustrations were just beautiful. After many thanks to god, there was a good moral to the story of forgiveness.
LibraryThing member sunnyburke
This is a wonderful and haunting story of how important it is to understand the mistakes you may have made in a year and how to ask to forgiveness. The lesson is a classic one that follows the theme of beginning anew each year. The illustrator does a great job of portraying all of the main
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character's sins or mistakes as little black monsters that he can't seem to escape from. It also tells how even the smallest, selfish mistakes or sins can deeply effect oneself and the people around you. Show Less
LibraryThing member nzfj
Library Thing Part C # 8 Traditional Literatures
Kimmel, Eric A., Jon J, Muth, and Shem Ṭov Baʻal. Gershon's Monster: a Story for the Jewish New Year. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Print.
Eric Kimmel retells a Hasidic legend that was told to him by his grandmother. The story is about a prosperous
Jon J. Muth’s watercolor illustrations are most definitely an integral part to the text. There are the folktale elements of simplistic plot and industrious characters with a hint of the trickster element. Gershon’s character at the beginning of the story changes and is a strong contrast to the Gershon at the end of the story. A monster presents itself, a conflict, and finally a sacrifice is offered and accepted. Each of these folktale elements are rendered clearly on each page by each of the illustrations that depict the rise and fall of suspense from watching Gershon move through the story. Most enriching are the panels that show Gershon’s visit with the tzaddik. The characters expressions, the swinging door hitting the table and knocking over candle sticks and a picture hung on the wall. The clock at midnight and the tzaddik chanting prayers over a lit candle, Gershon’s gesture at receiving the written parchment from tzaddik and the panel with tzaddik in the forefront looking pensive, head looking down, and Gershon in a wagon driving away in the background. Powerful illustration with the contrasting light foreground around the tzaddic and the tzaddic’s black clothes, the above distant background of green hills and Gershon’s figure moving away. A powerfully illustrated Jewish folktale for the Jewish New Year and it speaks to all people as well. The message of pride and misdeeds v.s. an honorable and conscientious life. A definite must buy for any library folktale collection. Curriculum connection and audience age would be kindergarten to high school; language arts, read a loud, readers theatre, art appreciation.
Kimmel, Eric A., Jon J, Muth, and Shem Ṭov Baʻal. Gershon's Monster: a Story for the Jewish New Year. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Print.
Eric Kimmel retells a Hasidic legend that was told to him by his grandmother. The story is about a prosperous
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baker, Gershon, and his wife, Fayga, who live in a city on the Black Sea. Gershon never apologized for his mistakes and never had any regrets for “thoughtless acts” or the way he treated others. Every Friday he swept his indiscretions into the cellar and on Rosh Hashanah he put them in a sack and threw them away into the sea. The couple wanted children and were unable to conceive. Fayga asked Gershon to search for a tzaddik (wonder rabbi) and perhaps he could help them. The tzaddik does help Gershon and Fayga and also confronts Gershon with his guiltless and reckless past behaviors that have been thrown into the sea. A prophecy is given to Gershon concerning his two children to be and five years later the prophecy comes to pass. It is at this moment Gershon asks forgiveness and is willing to sacrifice himself for his childrens safety and lives. He is forgiven and returns home with his children a renewed man. Jon J. Muth’s watercolor illustrations are most definitely an integral part to the text. There are the folktale elements of simplistic plot and industrious characters with a hint of the trickster element. Gershon’s character at the beginning of the story changes and is a strong contrast to the Gershon at the end of the story. A monster presents itself, a conflict, and finally a sacrifice is offered and accepted. Each of these folktale elements are rendered clearly on each page by each of the illustrations that depict the rise and fall of suspense from watching Gershon move through the story. Most enriching are the panels that show Gershon’s visit with the tzaddik. The characters expressions, the swinging door hitting the table and knocking over candle sticks and a picture hung on the wall. The clock at midnight and the tzaddik chanting prayers over a lit candle, Gershon’s gesture at receiving the written parchment from tzaddik and the panel with tzaddik in the forefront looking pensive, head looking down, and Gershon in a wagon driving away in the background. Powerful illustration with the contrasting light foreground around the tzaddic and the tzaddic’s black clothes, the above distant background of green hills and Gershon’s figure moving away. A powerfully illustrated Jewish folktale for the Jewish New Year and it speaks to all people as well. The message of pride and misdeeds v.s. an honorable and conscientious life. A definite must buy for any library folktale collection. Curriculum connection and audience age would be kindergarten to high school; language arts, read a loud, readers theatre, art appreciation.
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LibraryThing member fonsecaelib530A
Kimmel, E. A., & Muth, J. J. (2000). Gershon's monster: a story for the Jewish New Year. New York: Scholastic Press.
Grade 2 and up
Gershon has never repented for anything he has even done. Careless and inconsiderate, he sweeps his mistakes and tosses them down the cellar. Once a year, he drags them
Gershon's monster: a story for the Jewish New Year is a cautionary tale to warn those who go through life without repenting that sooner or later, their misdeeds will catch up with them. It represents well the motif of the supernatural being in the monster born of Gershon’s misdeeds. This traditional Hasidic legend for the Jewish New Year reminds readers of the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and asking for forgiveness. The illustrations are essential in telling the sorry. Muth is s renowned graphic novel artist, and the pictures he creates are highly influence by this genre, with special attention to the varying perspective that gives the action a dynamic quality. Gershon’s careless ways are represented by the image of the baker sweeping little monsters into the cellar, and the more he sins, the more daring the creatures become. In one illustration, they pull the baker’s hair and beard, big grins on their black faces. The use of different points of view give the story a dynamic character, and the climax of the story is depicted in a two-page spread, the huge black monster of Gershon’s sins looming over his children. The book is a tool to teach readers about the repenting; the last page defines the six steps to be followed for a righteous life. A wonderful book that openly targets the Jewish community but can be enjoyed by all religions.
Grade 2 and up
Gershon has never repented for anything he has even done. Careless and inconsiderate, he sweeps his mistakes and tosses them down the cellar. Once a year, he drags them
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to ocean, where he tosses them. He and is wife long for a baby, so when Gershon hears that a tzaddik,a wonder rabbi who lives in a nearby town, he travels to meet him and ask for a child. When he arrives at the rabbi’s home, he enters without knocking and demands a child. For the sake of Gershon’s wife, a good woman, the rabbi offers his help. The rabbi urges Gershon to be thankful for what he has, but the man will not hear him. So the rabbi blesses the family with twins but warns him that his wayward ways will cost him the lives of his children. The rabbi shares with Gershon a prophecy and sends him on his way. The couple has twins, and Gershon continues with his careless behavior until on the morning on the children’s fifth birthday, the prophecy comes true. The ocean rises as a monster covered in scales, each scale one of Gershon’s misdeeds. He throws himself in front of his children and offers how own in exchange of his children’s. The monster melts into raindrops. Gershon has finally repented, and from then on, he learns to live a righteous life.Gershon's monster: a story for the Jewish New Year is a cautionary tale to warn those who go through life without repenting that sooner or later, their misdeeds will catch up with them. It represents well the motif of the supernatural being in the monster born of Gershon’s misdeeds. This traditional Hasidic legend for the Jewish New Year reminds readers of the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and asking for forgiveness. The illustrations are essential in telling the sorry. Muth is s renowned graphic novel artist, and the pictures he creates are highly influence by this genre, with special attention to the varying perspective that gives the action a dynamic quality. Gershon’s careless ways are represented by the image of the baker sweeping little monsters into the cellar, and the more he sins, the more daring the creatures become. In one illustration, they pull the baker’s hair and beard, big grins on their black faces. The use of different points of view give the story a dynamic character, and the climax of the story is depicted in a two-page spread, the huge black monster of Gershon’s sins looming over his children. The book is a tool to teach readers about the repenting; the last page defines the six steps to be followed for a righteous life. A wonderful book that openly targets the Jewish community but can be enjoyed by all religions.
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LibraryThing member Rachel_Cohen
I think that is book is great in that it has a great moral and is also educational. It tells about the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah and some of the other customs older Jewish people may have had. I think the story also has a great moral that you should be careful what you do and to say thank you,
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and other things like that. It would be a great book to use for kids when learning about different holidays or for even for kids to learn just to have manners. The illustrations in the book were very nice, and depicted the people they were going for. Show Less
LibraryThing member ssmith93
While this story is informational, I think it is depressing. The illustrations depict the text very well and the reader gets a sense of the setting. The story explains a little bit about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and other customs of the Jewish culture. I do not know that I would
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recommend this book for younger children. The depiction of the sins (monsters) being cast out of the body was a bit alarming. I am not sure that young children would take well to those images. The plot of the story may be a bit over their heads as well. I am not sure they could grasp the concept of how a Rabbi could grant the couple a child or not. I thought the response of the Rabbi was harsh in that if the couple had children they may die because of all the terrible things their father had done and said to people. I understand the concept of the story and why some may think it appropriate for the theme, but maybe for an older group of children definitely not Kindergartners. Show Less
LibraryThing member MaryAnnBurton
I really appreciated this book. The illustrations were a wonderful representation of the Jewish culture and the settings for time and place.The story is wonderful, with a very meaningfull and important message. This is a book that I would have in my home and in my classroom because it is rich in
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values and culture. Show Less
LibraryThing member raizel
It's about tashlich, but also about how our thoughtless actions harm others; in this case, the sins of a father are visited on his sons. When I mentioned to a rabbi that I found this troubling, he explained that children are affected by their parents' behavior.
I always warned younger children that
I always warned younger children that
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it might be a bit scary---a giant monster arises from the water---but they didn't mind. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Sydney Taylor Book Award (Winner — 2000)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2000)
National Jewish Book Award (Finalist — Children's Picture Book — 2000)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
32 p.; 9.5 inches
ISBN
043910839X / 9780439108393