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The Goblin And The Empty Chair (2009)

by Mem Fox(Favorite Author)

3.88 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1416985859 (ISBN13: 9781416985853)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Beach Lane Books

review 1: Goblin sees himself in a pond one day and hates how ugly and scary he looks. He decides to hide away from people and live a life where he won't be seen. In the forest he notices a farmer chopping wood. At night the goblin goes to help but ends up being seen. The next day he sees a woman gardening and he thinks she needs help, so at night he goes back and tends to the garden and the woman sees him. Another night he goes to the house and sees the little girl in her room. He sneaks in while she is sleeping but she wakes up and sees him. None of them run away or act scared of him. The goblin decides he will come back the following day during dinner. The family sees him and welcome him in to eat. They uncover his face so he doesn't have to hide and they become friends. The book... more has a simple story line but it is good for teaching acceptance of others who are different from us. Even though the goblin looked strange, the family still saw he was friendly and a good person and tried to include him. The cover of this book is attention grabbing and the illustrations are beautifully done with good details. The pages have a border at the top to help explain each scene better while below it is the main illustration. I thought this was a really good approach and the illustrations matched the text well. I would recommend this book for children in kindergarten through third grade.
review 2: Haunted by the image of his very own reflection, a goblin hides himself away from the rest of the world. He conceals his unsightly appearance to prevent others from terror. After many years in solitude, the goblin's fate takes a turn. While witnessing a saddened farmer cry, the goblin comes to the farmer's aid during the secrecy of the night. He chops the wood and paints the fence, proceeding to complete chores wherever he is needed. He continues providing a helping hand to the farmer's wife and daughter, but only in a surreptitious manner. The twist to this tale, is that while the Goblin believes he has successfully kept himself hidden, the farmer's family has discovered his presence. While eating dinner one evening, the family sets a place setting in front of an empty chair...welcoming the goblin into their home. Will his fear of rejection prevent him from accepting the invitation? The Goblin finds the courage to unveil his true being and discovers that who you are is not dependent on physical appearance.What an incredible vision to possess, when one thinks of every individual with an "empty chair"! This story delves beyond the surface of text and into the heart of morality. How many children, or even adults, feel just as the goblin did in this book? Furthermore, how many children or adults are open-minded enough to accept differences and diversity? Mem Fox illustrates an ideal example that can relate to young children and adults alike. Not only does the tale offer ethical considerations but can be used as a great tool in addressing literary elements. Repetition is prominently used throughout each page. Each time the goblin was seen, the words reiterated, "But in spite of his care, the goblin was seen." Teachers or parents could have a child sequence which character witnessed the goblin first to last. The author has provided a wonderful educational resource.In my own opinion, the conclusion of the story left room to be desired. The reader makes the assumption that the goblin has been well received, but I do not believe all individuals could make this inference. Though I admire the author for avoiding cliche' endings such as, "And they lived happily ever after", I would have enjoyed a more satisfying confirmation. From an overall perspective, it seemed abrupt. Leo and Diane Dillon have created intricate pictures that take the reader back in time. Without the author's direct say-so, one could hypothesize that the tale took place long ago. The bold colors and sharp features of the characters are reminiscent of a medieval time period. It's interesting to notice that the illustrators never actually reveal the entire face of the goblin. Even in the end, when he removes his damask, the viewer can only see his back. It is left to the imagination to create the missing piece. less

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