Gershon's Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year (by Eric A. Kimmel)

Gershon is not a nice man--he treats others badly. Every year Gershon sweeps up all his sins and throws them into the sea. But those sins are coming back to haunt him, and his children may pay their price. This old Hasidic legend, beautifully illustrated, keeps kids on the edge of their seats.

This rewarding folk tale is brought to life by Jon J. Muth's witty and powerful watercolor paintings. Gershon's sins are depicted as wicked little gremlins having an uproarious time. The monster, on the other hand, is no joke -- an overwhelming, if somewhat fuzzy, apparition that dwarfs the frightened children, and that may be a bit much for more sensitive small listeners.

Eric A. Kimmel tells the story straightforwardly, but, as demonstrated by Daniel Pinkwater on NPR, the text is designed for a spirited reader to have fun hamming it up. Young readers tackling it on their own may find it more of a challenge. For the youngest listeners, the message about the importance of genuine repentance may fly over their heads, but the story holds its own as a satisfying morality tale.

Author: Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication date: January 1, 2000
Number of pages: 29
Hardcover price: $16.95