Zigazak!: A Magical Hanukkah Night [Library Binding]

Eric A. Kimmel (Author), Jon Goodell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

“The most imaginative Hannukah tale of the season.”—Publishers Weekly

On the first night of Hanukkah, two tricky devils arrive in the town of Brisk to cause mischief. They use a magic word — Zigazak! — to make dreidels dance and latkes fly. The good citizens of Brisk panic and appeal to their wise rabbi for help. He triumphs over the devils in a contest of wits, and soon sends them packing. But his real triumph is the ability to see the good in all things, even devils’ tricks, helping the townsfolk enjoy their most magical Hanukkah ever.

“The breezy text and expressive humor of the illustrations make this a fine choice for Hanukkah storytimes.”—School Library Journal

An Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Young Readers


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Is Hanukkah really all about dancing dreidels and high-flying latkes? Maybe not, but Eric Kimmel and Jon Goodell have put these devilish phenomena to good use in a lighthearted story that teaches Hanukkah traditions--from kazatzkas to gelt--along with a wise, timeless moral. The tale's decidedly unscary antagonists are a couple of bumbling devils determined to cause Hanukkah-night mischief in the village of Brisk. Goodell's clearly having fun as he sends five dreidels into a tight little jig, launches latkes around Hannah Leah's kitchen, and sets off some menorah pyrotechnics in Menachem Mendel's home. But Brisk's frightened villagers need not worry: they've got a clever rabbi who's not only unafraid of the devils' antics--he enjoys them! When dreidels sprout legs and dance on his table, "he laughed and clapped his hands. 'Delightful!' he exclaimed. 'Show me more.'" As with the misadventures of Fat Albert, kids reading Zigazak! should be careful--otherwise, they just might learn something. And that goes for both Hanukkah minutiae and the wise rabbi's moral: "Sparks of holiness exist in all things, even in devils' tricks. And if we look hard enough, we can find the good in all living creatures." (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes --This text refers to an alternate Library Binding edition.

From Publishers Weekly

In the most imaginative Hanukkah book this season, Kimmel (Gershon's Monster) peoples an old-world town with mischievous demons, easily alarmed villagers and a wise and crafty rabbi. The brio of the storytelling doesn't shy from a moral: "Sparks of goodness exist in all things, even in devils' tricks." Goodell (Mice Are Nice) portrays the demons as ugly monsters, the goofy gleam in their eyes only partially dampening their scariness, and his humans are mildly grotesque. A dark palette adds to the shiver-inducing effect. Ages 4-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an alternate Library Binding edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers (November 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038590004X
• ISBN-13: 978-0385900041
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 0.3 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,137,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric A. Kimmel is well known for the tales he has retold from around the world. Some of his best-known titles are "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins" (a Caldecott Honor book), "Gershon's Monster", "Anansi and the Talking Melon", and "The Runaway Tortilla". A former professor of children's literature, he lives in Portland, Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marvelous Hanukkah Fable....., November 10, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zigazak! A Magical Hanukkah Night (Library Binding)

One winter night during Hanukkah, two devils flew over the old-world village of Brisk, and decided to wreak a little havoc on the poor townspeople. With the magic word of ZIGAZAK, dreidels sprouted arms and legs and began to dance, latkes flew off their platters and soared around the room, Hanukkah candles exploded like fireworks, and musical instruments began to play songs all by themselves. The villagers were terrified, and ran to the Rabbi's house for help. The Rabbi looked at all that was going on and laughed. A little holiday mischief didn't scare him, for he was a very wise and holy man, with a few tricks of his own up his sleeve..... Eric Kimmel has written a very entertaining and satisfying Hanukkah fable, with a simple message that won't be lost on young readers. His engaging and amusing text is only outdone by Jon Goodell's bold and expressive illustrations that will mesmerize youngsters with their wonderfully busy detail. Together, this dynamic duo teaches all of us that "sparks of holiness exist in all things, even in devils' tricks." Perfect for children 5-10, Zigazak is an enchanting tale, and definitely one of the best new Hanukkah stories, this year.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an unusual Hanukkah tale that ends with the right msg, November 25, 2001

By 

Larry Mark "editor of MyJewishBooks.com" (nyc) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zigazak! A Magical Hanukkah Night (Library Binding)

It just isn't a Jewish holiday without a new book by Mr Kimmel. Kimmel (the author of Gershon's Monster) tells the story of how there are sparks of good and "light" in all things. It is an unusual Hanukkah tale of magic and mischief. As the residents in the shtetl of Brisk prepare to celebrate the start of the eighth day of Hanukkah, two mischievous creatures descend upon the town. They recite the magic word of ZIGAZAK and they make dreidels dance and latkas fly. The town's residents, rich and poor, young and old, run to the rabbi, who helps them to understand that when life gives you bad-apples, you make applesauce. The monsters do not scare the rabbi, and flying latkas are just as tasty as ones that are still. Using reverse psychology the rabbi might beat the monsters at their own game, and teach everyone that one should bring light from darkness... thus the message of the holiday.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful story stresses power of faith and love over evil, November 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Zigazak! A Magical Hanukkah Night (Library Binding)

As a Catholic committed to multiculturalism and to multidenominational appreciation, I enjoyed this story and its lessons immensely. It reflects the power of faith and love over evil through the words and actions of a Rabbi who teaches Jews of all ages that nothing is completely evil and that there is good in everything and in everyone. Although written for ages 4-8, this book is as well-written and beautifully illustrated as it is meaningful for readers of all ages. After reading it, I ordered two more copies for gifts.