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Nobody Likes a Goblin
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Picture Books (2016)Goblin, a cheerful little homebody, lives in a cosy, rat-infested dungeon, with his only friend, Skeleton. Every day, Goblin and Skeleton play with the treasure in their dungeon. But one day, a gang of "heroic" adventurers bursts in. These marauders trash the place, steal all the treasure, and make off with Skeleton—leaving Goblin all alone!
It's up to Goblin to save the day. But first he's going to have to leave the dungeon and find out how the rest of the world feels about goblins.
It's up to Goblin to save the day. But first he's going to have to leave the dungeon and find out how the rest of the world feels about goblins.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2016
26 people are currently reading
3657 people want to read
About the author
Ben Hatke
24 books1,200 followersBen Hatke is an author and illustrator of graphic novels and picture books. Most notably he is the creator of the Zita the Spacegirl graphic novel series.
He posts art and stories online at:
www.benhatke.com
He posts art and stories online at:
www.benhatke.com
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March 25, 2024
Well I have a new storytime favorite. Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke--big Hatke fan here--is such a quirky and charming little tale that puts a nice twist on the classic fantasy tale. It’s also a sweet little message about being yourself and not worrying what other’s think about you, but also a chastisement of society for the hate and fear they show to those who are different. Plus its about an adorable goblin and his best friend: a super dead talking skeleton.
The story follows Goblin as he travels over the hills and far away on a rescue mission. His dreary little cave full of treasure has been plundered but not by your usual fantasy villains. No, in a fun little reversal it is the band of adventurers we usually think of as the heroes:
I really love Hatke’s art style and how he embraces the creepy and monstrous characters in his stories. Plus the ghost we see in the Julia's House for Lost Creatures series makes a little cameo, as does the troll.
This is very short but quite cute and has a nice message about how even when you think nobody likes you, there is still someone who cares. A delightful little read you’ll want to share with the young readers or pre-readers in your life.
The story follows Goblin as he travels over the hills and far away on a rescue mission. His dreary little cave full of treasure has been plundered but not by your usual fantasy villains. No, in a fun little reversal it is the band of adventurers we usually think of as the heroes:
I really love Hatke’s art style and how he embraces the creepy and monstrous characters in his stories. Plus the ghost we see in the Julia's House for Lost Creatures series makes a little cameo, as does the troll.
This is very short but quite cute and has a nice message about how even when you think nobody likes you, there is still someone who cares. A delightful little read you’ll want to share with the young readers or pre-readers in your life.
first-second-publications
June 10, 2016Ben Hatke lives in DC, so when he turned this book in, he took the bus up to New York and gave us the art for it in person.
It was awesome!
Seeing the watercolors for this book all laid out on our conference room table was a marvelous experience -- and the book looks even better.
It was awesome!
Seeing the watercolors for this book all laid out on our conference room table was a marvelous experience -- and the book looks even better.
October 3, 2016
Goblin is perfectly happy in his cave, thank you very much. He has pet rats, a tasty boot to eat, and the companionship of Skeleton, his very best friend who lives in the Treasure Room. When a band of adventurers loot Gobin's cave, he's presented with a quest.
The adventurers took everything.
They took the gold.
They took the maps, the books,
the gems, and the scrolls.
And they took Skeleton.
So Goblin put on his crown
and walked out into the wide
world to find his friend.
With alluring watercolor illustrations, the author brings to life a world where trolls and elves and adventure await. Nobody Likes a Goblin has a treasure-filled cave, haunted swamp, talking skeleton, and a sweet message that home can be found where one's friends are.
The adventurers took everything.
They took the gold.
They took the maps, the books,
the gems, and the scrolls.
And they took Skeleton.
So Goblin put on his crown
and walked out into the wide
world to find his friend.
With alluring watercolor illustrations, the author brings to life a world where trolls and elves and adventure await. Nobody Likes a Goblin has a treasure-filled cave, haunted swamp, talking skeleton, and a sweet message that home can be found where one's friends are.
March 23, 2024
Do you know who else likes a goblin?
ME
September 6, 2018
My toddler loves Julia's House for Lost Creatures, and we were thrilled to find this book at the library. It's a blast and inverts the classic D&D-style adventurer party plundering a dungeon narrative (even though my kid obviously doesn't know anything about that). Touching, sweet, and the illustrations are gorgeous. A++ great goblins, great fun.
March 28, 2018
This turns the fantasy story upside down on it's head. What happens when you are happy and content in your dungeon and a group of loud adventurers burst in and steal all your stuff and your best friend and off they go? Well, you go get them of course.
This book was so much action and fun and heart. I dare anyone to resist the charms of Nobody Likes a Goblin. I think everyone will like the Goblin King after reading this story. This reminds me a little of the Ugly Duckling. Everyone chases you and is hating on you for being different until you find your people. This is a big little story. I see many layers here.
The kids both loved this and there was a chorus of Read it Again and again. Bravo Ben Hatke.
This book was so much action and fun and heart. I dare anyone to resist the charms of Nobody Likes a Goblin. I think everyone will like the Goblin King after reading this story. This reminds me a little of the Ugly Duckling. Everyone chases you and is hating on you for being different until you find your people. This is a big little story. I see many layers here.
The kids both loved this and there was a chorus of Read it Again and again. Bravo Ben Hatke.
September 20, 2017
This was a super cute read, I really loved the determined look on Goblin's face when he put his crown on to go get his friend back! I was kind of confused about the wench tied up in the adventurer's cart and how a small horde of goblins could possibly scare an adventuring party away, rather than getting slaughtered.
Sorry, I'm a D&Der, this is really cute, but not true to how a gaming group of adults works. I guess for a kids' group, but I never played in a kids group, so I couldn't say.
Four stars because the artwork is gorgeous, the story is cute and goblin is just precious! Definitely recommended. :)
Sorry, I'm a D&Der, this is really cute, but not true to how a gaming group of adults works. I guess for a kids' group, but I never played in a kids group, so I couldn't say.
Four stars because the artwork is gorgeous, the story is cute and goblin is just precious! Definitely recommended. :)
March 7, 2016
In the interest of full disclosure, I received a complimentary advanced electronic copy of NOBODY LIKES A GOBLIN through Netgalley.
Something tells me that before Ben Hatke wrote this book he took out his 20-sided die and won his saving throw against writer’s block because NOBODY LIKES A GOBLIN is in the top five best children’s books I have ever enjoyed. If you have ever enjoyed role-playing games, Tolkien novels, or just cheering for the underdog, you have no reason to read further. Just buy the book (or read further if you would like). Hatke’s storytelling can appeal to any child, though.
There I was, a teenager hopped up on Mountain Dew. My level one druid heard a noise in the hallway. The adventuring party was worried because we had already been chased out by a troll that we knew we could not handle. There they were--two goblins walking down the hallway. Without any discussion, we attacked and won. We took what little treasure we found and ran out of there. That’s the life of a goblin in role-playing games, and NOBODY LIKES A GOBLIN starts out in the same manner (but without the killing). One day Goblin is living large. The next day an adventuring party takes his stuff.
Hatke tells this story from the Goblin’s perspective, and he does a masterful job humanizing the lowest humanoid of the fantasy world. You cannot read this book without feeling sympathy for Goblin and cheering for him as he decides to go out into the world even though he gets disrespected by everyone he meets. Trolls. Villagers. Elves. Adventuring parties. Nobody likes a goblin!
The book, though brief, tells such a great story with a great premise, wonderful plot, and even a fun subplot. Some children’s authors seem to write for the adults reading with too many references to things that a kid just won’t get. Most children’s authors write to children with their adult readers as an afterthought. It’s cool, I am reading children’s books for my daughter’s sake. Hatke is one of those rare authors who can write a book that children will understand while keeping adults (who are into fantasy) entertained.
While the jokes might be better appreciated by “fantasy nerds,” that is not a requirement for enjoying the book. My five-year-old daughter never even heard of a goblin, and she loved it. From the perspective of someone who does not get the background context, this is a book about an underdog who overcomes some not-so-nice people (and others).
Like the story itself, the illustrations are not too cartoonish but not serious either. They are not scary, but each of the illustrations is appropriate for the different emotions that Goblin experiences. There is no violence in either the writing or the pictures, and even though nobody in the story likes a goblin, young readers will after they read this book.
Something tells me that before Ben Hatke wrote this book he took out his 20-sided die and won his saving throw against writer’s block because NOBODY LIKES A GOBLIN is in the top five best children’s books I have ever enjoyed. If you have ever enjoyed role-playing games, Tolkien novels, or just cheering for the underdog, you have no reason to read further. Just buy the book (or read further if you would like). Hatke’s storytelling can appeal to any child, though.
There I was, a teenager hopped up on Mountain Dew. My level one druid heard a noise in the hallway. The adventuring party was worried because we had already been chased out by a troll that we knew we could not handle. There they were--two goblins walking down the hallway. Without any discussion, we attacked and won. We took what little treasure we found and ran out of there. That’s the life of a goblin in role-playing games, and NOBODY LIKES A GOBLIN starts out in the same manner (but without the killing). One day Goblin is living large. The next day an adventuring party takes his stuff.
Hatke tells this story from the Goblin’s perspective, and he does a masterful job humanizing the lowest humanoid of the fantasy world. You cannot read this book without feeling sympathy for Goblin and cheering for him as he decides to go out into the world even though he gets disrespected by everyone he meets. Trolls. Villagers. Elves. Adventuring parties. Nobody likes a goblin!
The book, though brief, tells such a great story with a great premise, wonderful plot, and even a fun subplot. Some children’s authors seem to write for the adults reading with too many references to things that a kid just won’t get. Most children’s authors write to children with their adult readers as an afterthought. It’s cool, I am reading children’s books for my daughter’s sake. Hatke is one of those rare authors who can write a book that children will understand while keeping adults (who are into fantasy) entertained.
While the jokes might be better appreciated by “fantasy nerds,” that is not a requirement for enjoying the book. My five-year-old daughter never even heard of a goblin, and she loved it. From the perspective of someone who does not get the background context, this is a book about an underdog who overcomes some not-so-nice people (and others).
Like the story itself, the illustrations are not too cartoonish but not serious either. They are not scary, but each of the illustrations is appropriate for the different emotions that Goblin experiences. There is no violence in either the writing or the pictures, and even though nobody in the story likes a goblin, young readers will after they read this book.
November 13, 2016
Each year I and my family read and rate all the Goodreads picture book nominees. This one is nominated for 2016. I make a few comments and then add their separate ratings and a comment from each of them. There's 20 (15 first round and 5 new ones for the semi-final round) and this is the fourteenth being rated. My rating might be somewhat influenced by the family, naturally.
This was published by comics publisher First Second and done by a comics/illustrator guy. Fantasy story for kids. I thought it was good, a little amusing
Tara (my wife): 4 stars. It was cute. And relevant today because everyone hated them for being different even though they did nothing wrong.
Harry (11): 4 stars. It was really funny.
Hank (10): 3 stars. I would have liked it better if I were younger.
Lyra (9): 3 stars. I like how everyone but other monsters and one girl liked Goblin.
This was published by comics publisher First Second and done by a comics/illustrator guy. Fantasy story for kids. I thought it was good, a little amusing
Tara (my wife): 4 stars. It was cute. And relevant today because everyone hated them for being different even though they did nothing wrong.
Harry (11): 4 stars. It was really funny.
Hank (10): 3 stars. I would have liked it better if I were younger.
Lyra (9): 3 stars. I like how everyone but other monsters and one girl liked Goblin.
February 10, 2016
I think I may be the odd voice out here, but this picture book will probably appeal more to nerd/geek parents (or aunts/uncles; grandparents) than children. While I enjoyed it, and loved the pictures, I really cannot see a general appeal here since I doubt the majority of children (or parents) are overly familiar with the character classes that inhabit the world of D&D and RPG's.
Still, a lovely little book with a relatively positive message about self-image and self-acceptance. "Relatively" because the adventurers never being heard from again was a bit ominous and the goblin lying about being a goblin king was slightly detrimental to any character lessons one might draw from the text. However, I truly think the author's point was purely to create a picture book for avid gaming parents/babysitters/aunts/uncles/etc. to introduce wee little ones to a taste of the world they love. As a picture book homage to gaming, the author hit the nail on the head :-D
Thank you to the publisher for providing an electronic galley proof of this book for review purposes. I need to go see what else the author has penned for an older audience...
Still, a lovely little book with a relatively positive message about self-image and self-acceptance. "Relatively" because the adventurers never being heard from again was a bit ominous and the goblin lying about being a goblin king was slightly detrimental to any character lessons one might draw from the text. However, I truly think the author's point was purely to create a picture book for avid gaming parents/babysitters/aunts/uncles/etc. to introduce wee little ones to a taste of the world they love. As a picture book homage to gaming, the author hit the nail on the head :-D
Thank you to the publisher for providing an electronic galley proof of this book for review purposes. I need to go see what else the author has penned for an older audience...
January 10, 2022
I can honestly say that I have never felt so much joy while reading a book in my entire life.
September 6, 2017
Cute story about a little goblin who goes out into the big world to save his friend, Skeleton. Not much to it, but cute nonetheless. I'm sure little kids will love it.
April 5, 2017
I read this to Evie while Gabe was making dinner the other night.
You'll note that she is looking to see where the goblin is going to land when he falls off the edge of the book. She hates gobble-ums, just hates them. No, not as much as she hates yuckoons because they mock her, after all, but gobble-ums are right up there because they want to eat her (I may have told her there were goblins outside waiting to eat her and that's why she has to stay indoors at night and when I'm not home)
At any rate, I read this to her because I thought it might be relevant to her interests, as she is one of the nobodies who don't like goblins. Gobble-ums. Whatever.
So, Ben Hatke is a giant NERD.
Exhibit 1:
Check out those dice, yo.
Nerd dice.
And those are probably Magic: The Gathering cards, too.
Nerd cards.
But look at that skeleton? Is he not the cutest ever? HE IS! He's Goblin's best friend and I can see why. He indulges in Goblin's nerdiness, he let's Goblin wear his crown, and just look at that faaace! ADORBS!
Exhibit 2:
Who knows what this represents?
Well, he tells you on the page. It's an ADVENTURING PARTY.
It's nerds. It's a bunch of nerds at a table with graph paper pretending to be a rogue (or, if you play World of Warcraft, a rouge), an elven (half orc?) warrior? She might be a paladin but I don't think so. A dwarven warrior type and a magic-user. I'm not sure where the healer is. Maybe that one already died. They're usually pretty fragile. I don't know, I'm not nerdy enough to understand this nerd stuff.
But Hatke clearly is.
Nerd.
And yet, his ghosts are so cute
and look at the springtime-ish shirt this troll sports:
That's dapper so I'll forgive all the nerdness going on in this story...that I actually enjoyed quite well.
Evie? Not so much. She found the ending to be particularly gross.
You'll note that she is looking to see where the goblin is going to land when he falls off the edge of the book. She hates gobble-ums, just hates them. No, not as much as she hates yuckoons because they mock her, after all, but gobble-ums are right up there because they want to eat her (I may have told her there were goblins outside waiting to eat her and that's why she has to stay indoors at night and when I'm not home)
At any rate, I read this to her because I thought it might be relevant to her interests, as she is one of the nobodies who don't like goblins. Gobble-ums. Whatever.
So, Ben Hatke is a giant NERD.
Exhibit 1:
Check out those dice, yo.
Nerd dice.
And those are probably Magic: The Gathering cards, too.
Nerd cards.
But look at that skeleton? Is he not the cutest ever? HE IS! He's Goblin's best friend and I can see why. He indulges in Goblin's nerdiness, he let's Goblin wear his crown, and just look at that faaace! ADORBS!
Exhibit 2:
Who knows what this represents?
Well, he tells you on the page. It's an ADVENTURING PARTY.
It's nerds. It's a bunch of nerds at a table with graph paper pretending to be a rogue (or, if you play World of Warcraft, a rouge), an elven (half orc?) warrior? She might be a paladin but I don't think so. A dwarven warrior type and a magic-user. I'm not sure where the healer is. Maybe that one already died. They're usually pretty fragile. I don't know, I'm not nerdy enough to understand this nerd stuff.
But Hatke clearly is.
Nerd.
And yet, his ghosts are so cute
and look at the springtime-ish shirt this troll sports:
That's dapper so I'll forgive all the nerdness going on in this story...that I actually enjoyed quite well.
Evie? Not so much. She found the ending to be particularly gross.
April 28, 2016
Got a freebie through Goodreads.
A light, cheerful picture book with charming art. And some tweaks that any D&D player will know. . . 'cause Goblin is living in his cave (without monsters in the complex) until adventurers clean out the cave complex , including his best friend Skeleton. So Goblin sets out.
Nice touches like a pair of small dragons watching him along the way.
A light, cheerful picture book with charming art. And some tweaks that any D&D player will know. . . 'cause Goblin is living in his cave (without monsters in the complex) until adventurers clean out the cave complex , including his best friend Skeleton. So Goblin sets out.
Nice touches like a pair of small dragons watching him along the way.
January 9, 2016
This was fantastically cute. This is the sort of book that you get for your D&D-loving comrade when they procure offspring.
Goblin's friend Skeleton is kidnapped by adventurers who raided their dungeon seeking loot. They grabbed up skeleton (who wears a crown and armor) and toss him on a cart of loot, along with much gold, treasure chests, a goose who was friends with a troll, and a surly young maiden. The adventurers are assholes, seeking only "loot" and nothing else. Yet everyone hates a goblin!
This story is a nice turnabout from heroic adventurers gathering loot and glory, trampling the icky bad guys underfoot. The normally "bad" characters -- or those you plow through as you level up -- are focused on and empathetic.
Sweet, polite goblin reaches out to those on its way, seeking his best friend Skeleton.
Awkward interactions ensue:
"I'm looking for my friend Skeleton", said Goblin.
"ACK!" shrieked the farmer.
"A FILTHY GOBLIN!"
At the end Goblin will find there are others who like him, and we have a great closing image of him and his new friends eating dinner together, even the surly maiden, who is no longer surly after fighting with Goblin and the others as they bested the adventurers in the end. It was a nice touch.
The art is fantastic and the text isn't overdone. This is a good book to own, especially if you're into D&D, fantasy RPGs and the like. Even if you or the potential reader aren't into those things they'll still enjoy the cute illustrations, story and message that expectations for a person can be horribly unfair, and that even if you are expected to be evil/gross/scary there are still those who will see you for you and love you.
I got the review copy from NetGalley, but I'll be buying it for a comrade who recently procured offspring.
Goblin's friend Skeleton is kidnapped by adventurers who raided their dungeon seeking loot. They grabbed up skeleton (who wears a crown and armor) and toss him on a cart of loot, along with much gold, treasure chests, a goose who was friends with a troll, and a surly young maiden. The adventurers are assholes, seeking only "loot" and nothing else. Yet everyone hates a goblin!
This story is a nice turnabout from heroic adventurers gathering loot and glory, trampling the icky bad guys underfoot. The normally "bad" characters -- or those you plow through as you level up -- are focused on and empathetic.
Sweet, polite goblin reaches out to those on its way, seeking his best friend Skeleton.
Awkward interactions ensue:
"I'm looking for my friend Skeleton", said Goblin.
"ACK!" shrieked the farmer.
"A FILTHY GOBLIN!"
At the end Goblin will find there are others who like him, and we have a great closing image of him and his new friends eating dinner together, even the surly maiden, who is no longer surly after fighting with Goblin and the others as they bested the adventurers in the end. It was a nice touch.
The art is fantastic and the text isn't overdone. This is a good book to own, especially if you're into D&D, fantasy RPGs and the like. Even if you or the potential reader aren't into those things they'll still enjoy the cute illustrations, story and message that expectations for a person can be horribly unfair, and that even if you are expected to be evil/gross/scary there are still those who will see you for you and love you.
I got the review copy from NetGalley, but I'll be buying it for a comrade who recently procured offspring.
October 1, 2019
When Goblin's quiet life in a dusty dungeon is disrupted by a band of adventurers, who kidnap his best friend Skeleton and make off with the entire contents of his subterranean home, the little creature sets off in pursuit of the interlopers, determined to rescue his friend. After a long eventful chase, one in which he encounters many people who don't like goblins, he succeeds in rescuing Skeleton, and together the two escape to a cave. Will the two be safe here, or will the adventurers find them? And what will the residents of the cave have to say about it...?
Like his previous picture-book, Julia's House for Lost Creatures , Ben Hatke creates an engaging tale of magical hi-jinks in Nobody Likes a Goblin, which turns a number of fantastic themes on their head. I was reminded of the work of such authors as Tolkien, only here the questing companions - the wizard, the warrior, the elves, and so on - are the marauders, rather than the heroes, and the goblins are the innocent victims. I enjoyed that inversion, as I enjoyed the artwork, created with pens and watercolor. Although I don't know that I loved it quite as much as its predecessor, this was still a thoroughly charming little book, one I would recommend to those looking for picture-books featuring fantastic creatures and their adventures.
Like his previous picture-book, Julia's House for Lost Creatures , Ben Hatke creates an engaging tale of magical hi-jinks in Nobody Likes a Goblin, which turns a number of fantastic themes on their head. I was reminded of the work of such authors as Tolkien, only here the questing companions - the wizard, the warrior, the elves, and so on - are the marauders, rather than the heroes, and the goblins are the innocent victims. I enjoyed that inversion, as I enjoyed the artwork, created with pens and watercolor. Although I don't know that I loved it quite as much as its predecessor, this was still a thoroughly charming little book, one I would recommend to those looking for picture-books featuring fantastic creatures and their adventures.
November 30, 2016
Excellent!! A wonderful fantasy tale that pokes a little fun at fantasy tropes while entertaining with a good solid story with amazingly beautiful art! Also I enjoyed the way the story ended quite a bit!
September 28, 2016
Super cute, and best tiny dragons ever. Also friendship. (These reviews are really struggling. Just read it, okay?)
February 14, 2023
خیلی سرگرم کننده
July 13, 2023
One of my favorite fantasy children's books of all time. This is an adorable little romp that will be heartily enjoyed by nerds of the genre.
November 8, 2021
I love Ben Hatke's Julia books (Julia's House for Lost Creatures) so perhaps my expectations were a bit high for this, or perhaps I'm just not quite the target audience. I appreciated it more than actively liked it. I think it will have great appeal for those who love Tolkienesque fantasies, Renaissance faires, Pirates of the Caribbean and the like (check out the cool author photo of Hatke with that bow and arrow!)
September 3, 2016
Yey for minorities! It was nice to see the point of view of the goblin and his friends and I felt a little ashamed for roaming caverns and dungeons to fight the poor creatures and steal their treasures. The characters and adventures were introduced in a nice way, with some suspense, and nothing was frightening which was nice as these characters are usually on the creepy side. The story was well paced and the art worked well. It's really always a pleasure to read something by Ben.
December 28, 2017
Ben Hatke has hit a home run with this ode to fantasy and friendship. The illustrations are amazing and the message is golden.
May 14, 2025
My son is a bit over two years old and he loves this book, which is good because I do too! It’s a charming, endearing story with breathtaking artwork. Each page holds something new to fall in love with and (spoilers) every goblin is designed uniquely enough for everyone to have a favorite! (My son’s favorite is the owl-like goblin)
March 4, 2022
The most fun I've had reading a book in a long long time.
June 28, 2016
In his newest picturebook, "Nobody Likes a Goblin", author and illustrator Ben Hatke turns traditional folklore upside down and sets out to defend a character that's usually portrayed in an unfavorable light. From Tolkien's Middle-earth to Warcraft to Dungeons and Dragons, nobody's ever liked the goblins. They're the villains, the lowlifes, and the scoundrels. But in Hatke's story, the goblin is the hero.
This book is truly a work of art, and the illustrations merit study and attention. In fact, the careful observer might even discover little surprises throughout the story or notice subtle references to Hatke's other books. Characteristic of his distinctive illustration style and what I like to call "friendly fantasy", Hatke utilizes a pleasing color palette of greens, blues, and yellows, which becomes striking when set against the bleak darkness of Goblin's cave. White and black space are both applied to their full effect, and give the convincing impression of emerging from underground into the light of day. This transition from one to the other also helps to emphasize the dramatic differences between Goblin and those who live above his cave.
The blended watercolors used exclusively to color the images and paint the sparse backgrounds contribute a soft, surreal atmosphere of another world and another time - one which belongs to elves, skeletons, trolls, and adventurers. With compelling ink outlines and Hatke's distinguishing brush strokes, the characters in this story project a strong sense of life and personality. The pen of a graphic novelist becomes evident on several pages, in which separate frames within the overall drawing add additional detail and emotion. In this way, Hatke plays to all of his strengths and blurs the line between the picturebook and the graphic novel.
As Goblin determinedly embarks on a quest of his own to search for and rescue a friend, his story suggests that perhaps the goblin is, after all, just a misunderstood and misjudged mythical character. For anyone who's ever been judged on appearance, stereotypes, or their past, little Goblin is certainly a hero worth rooting for. Welcoming the outcast is a theme found frequently in the other Hatke works, such as "Julia's House for Lost Creatures." In both stories, the characters create for themselves a family of misfits. And this is where they finally find a place of acceptance.
This book is truly a work of art, and the illustrations merit study and attention. In fact, the careful observer might even discover little surprises throughout the story or notice subtle references to Hatke's other books. Characteristic of his distinctive illustration style and what I like to call "friendly fantasy", Hatke utilizes a pleasing color palette of greens, blues, and yellows, which becomes striking when set against the bleak darkness of Goblin's cave. White and black space are both applied to their full effect, and give the convincing impression of emerging from underground into the light of day. This transition from one to the other also helps to emphasize the dramatic differences between Goblin and those who live above his cave.
The blended watercolors used exclusively to color the images and paint the sparse backgrounds contribute a soft, surreal atmosphere of another world and another time - one which belongs to elves, skeletons, trolls, and adventurers. With compelling ink outlines and Hatke's distinguishing brush strokes, the characters in this story project a strong sense of life and personality. The pen of a graphic novelist becomes evident on several pages, in which separate frames within the overall drawing add additional detail and emotion. In this way, Hatke plays to all of his strengths and blurs the line between the picturebook and the graphic novel.
As Goblin determinedly embarks on a quest of his own to search for and rescue a friend, his story suggests that perhaps the goblin is, after all, just a misunderstood and misjudged mythical character. For anyone who's ever been judged on appearance, stereotypes, or their past, little Goblin is certainly a hero worth rooting for. Welcoming the outcast is a theme found frequently in the other Hatke works, such as "Julia's House for Lost Creatures." In both stories, the characters create for themselves a family of misfits. And this is where they finally find a place of acceptance.
February 3, 2017
Found this today at the library and was absolutely wowed! The story is fabulously fun. We get to see the story of adventurers and wizards and elves from the side of the goblin.... When they sneak into this quiet little goblin's cave and steal not just the things, but his best friend Skeleton, Goblin knows he must go after them. And so he goes. And along the way he finds out that Wizards and Elves and Adventurers just aren't very appreciative of goblins. But, you know who DOES like a goblin? A goblin's friends! And boy does this little goblin earn a lot of them!
The pictures in this book were hilarious. Such beautifully whimsical drawing and colour-choices! We see that not everybody that those high-handed adventurers and wizards deal with appreciate those dealings, as the goblin is helped in his rescue of his friend by a frustrated "damsel" who didn't appear to be in much distress before she was "rescued" by the adventurer and crew.
The final picture had me in stitches.... Soooo beautifully done! Going to be recommending this story to a LOT of friends!
The pictures in this book were hilarious. Such beautifully whimsical drawing and colour-choices! We see that not everybody that those high-handed adventurers and wizards deal with appreciate those dealings, as the goblin is helped in his rescue of his friend by a frustrated "damsel" who didn't appear to be in much distress before she was "rescued" by the adventurer and crew.
The final picture had me in stitches.... Soooo beautifully done! Going to be recommending this story to a LOT of friends!
April 27, 2016
What a delightful picture book. I love that the Goblin is the hero of this story and the adventurers are the bad guys. People going on quests should think about who they are stealing from. And in this case they stole not only the Goblin's gold, but his best friend, Skeleton. So Goblin goes off in search of his friend, but nobody likes a goblin, so he keeps being chased.
Children will love this. Adults will love it as well, especially if they have to read it over and over.
Thanks to Goodreads and First Second for providing this book for an honest review
Children will love this. Adults will love it as well, especially if they have to read it over and over.
Thanks to Goodreads and First Second for providing this book for an honest review
November 26, 2019
Charming!
A sweet little story told from the other side of the classic "adventurers and treasure hunters" tales , showing how all the poor dragons, trolls, and especially goblins feel when their precious things - or even precious friends - are stolen away by those meddlesome hero types. Tucked into the inventive plot are important points about self-esteem, self-empowerment, and, of course, the power of friendship. Add all this to the utterly adorable illustrations - the kind you can spend time looking at in order to find all the details - and you've got a book worthy of repeated reading/viewing.
A sweet little story told from the other side of the classic "adventurers and treasure hunters" tales , showing how all the poor dragons, trolls, and especially goblins feel when their precious things - or even precious friends - are stolen away by those meddlesome hero types. Tucked into the inventive plot are important points about self-esteem, self-empowerment, and, of course, the power of friendship. Add all this to the utterly adorable illustrations - the kind you can spend time looking at in order to find all the details - and you've got a book worthy of repeated reading/viewing.
January 29, 2025
Super rolig. Som dnd-spelare är igenkänningen stor 😅
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