Gershon's Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year by Eric A. Kimmel (Retold by), Eric A. Kimmel, Jon J. Muth (Illustrator)

Children's Literature

Gershon and his wife live on the shores of the Black Sea "many years ago" in this retelling of a very old Hasidic legend. Gershon has made mistakes in his life, but never regretted or apologized. He has simply swept the bad deeds into the cellar. Once a year, on Rosh Hashanah, he bags them and tosses them into the sea. But "there is always a price to pay." When Gershon and his wife finally have the twin children they have wanted for so long, he is warned that he will lose them because of his thoughtlessness. A monster from the sea threatens the children, so Gershon offers himself instead, finally sorry for his wickedness. Spared, he leads a better life in the future. The author's note explains the relationship of the story to the Jewish New Year theme of repentance. Muth's jacket/cover sets up the ethical struggle. A properly bearded Gershon, all in black, drags a huge sack down a deserted beach, a bag crawling with cavorting little black demons. Full page, naturalistic watercolors depict Gershon's activities and moods as he goes about his selfish business. As the children play on the beach, the frightening waterborne monster is effectively thrust into our faces before we reach the compassionate blue sky of the end. 2000, Scholastic Press. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

School Library Journal

K-Gr 4-In this retelling of a Hasidic legend, the baker Gershon never repents for any of his wrongdoings. Instead, on Rosh Hashanah, he gathers them together and throws them into the sea. When he and his wife seek help for their childlessness, Gershon visits a tzaddik, or "wonder rabbi." The rabbi writes a charm and tells the man it will bring him and his wife twins but due to his careless acts they will die on their fifth birthday. When the day arrives, Gershon is able to save his children from the monster created by his sins by truly repenting. Despite its obvious moral, the story flows well, and Kimmel's language glows, while retaining the flavor of a traditional tale. The watercolor illustrations work well, with the baker's sins represented as small, black, ghoulish monsters and the beast created from the sum of his misdeeds as a looming, serpentine sea monster. Muth brings Gershon to life with a truly human expressiveness. The characters are depicted with the traditional Hasidic side curls and tallith hanging out of their shirts, rooting them firmly in the Jewish tradition. Kimmel's light hand makes the lessons easy to take, and despite repetitions of the message, the telling remains an enjoyable read.-Amy Lilien-Harper, Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

New York Times Book Review

This Hasidic story of how the baker learns t'shuvah -- repentance -- is beautifully told and illustrated.

Kirkus Reviews

Kimmel (Kimmelman, Leslie DANCE, SING, REMEMBER: A Celebration of Jewish Holidays Illus. by Ora Eitan HarperCollins (48 pp.) Oct. 31, 2000

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