Important Facts:
- Born October 30, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY
- A.B. in English Literature from Lafayette College in 1967, M.A. from New York University in 1969, Ph.D. in Education from University of Illinois in 1973
- Assistant professor of education at Indiana University at South Blend from 1973-78, Professor of education at Portland State University, Portland, OR from 1978-94. Full-time write from 1994- PRESENT
- Some Awards include: Caldecott Medal Honor designation, Juvenile Book Merit Award, National Jewish Book Award, Sydney Taylor Picture Book Award, Joel A. Cavior Award for Notable Children's Book, Parent's Choice Award, Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award, etc.
- Best known for his adaptations and retellings of folktales from around the world.
- Uses sardonic wit, blended with traditional storyteller motifs such as: mistaken identities, tests of courage and intelligence, wise fools, and tricksters.
- First book was published in 1974, Tartar's Sword
- His books range, drawing from Middle-Eastern, African, Asian, Mexican, and South American folklore.
Full Biography
Books to Know
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
Kimmel, E. A., & Hyman, T. S. (1989).Hershel and the Hanukkah goblins ([1st ed.). New York: Holiday House.
"What are the poor villagers to do? The holiday-hating, hill-dwelling hobgoblins are bound and determined to ruin yet another Hanukkah for them. Every year the beasties snuff out the menorah candles, destroy the dreidels, and pitch the potato latkes on the floor. But these wicked wet blankets never counted on someone as clever as Hershel of Ostropol showing up. Using his wits and a few props--pickles, eggs, and a dreidel (a square-shaped top with Hebrew letters on each side)--Hershel manages to outwit all the creepy critters and break the spell. This fabulously creative adaptation of the ancient Hanukkah story in which the Syrians forbade the Jews to worship as they wanted, keeps the spirit of the original while adding a spine-tingling twist. Warmth and humor prevail, even in the midst of hopeless-looking circumstances."
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"What are the poor villagers to do? The holiday-hating, hill-dwelling hobgoblins are bound and determined to ruin yet another Hanukkah for them. Every year the beasties snuff out the menorah candles, destroy the dreidels, and pitch the potato latkes on the floor. But these wicked wet blankets never counted on someone as clever as Hershel of Ostropol showing up. Using his wits and a few props--pickles, eggs, and a dreidel (a square-shaped top with Hebrew letters on each side)--Hershel manages to outwit all the creepy critters and break the spell. This fabulously creative adaptation of the ancient Hanukkah story in which the Syrians forbade the Jews to worship as they wanted, keeps the spirit of the original while adding a spine-tingling twist. Warmth and humor prevail, even in the midst of hopeless-looking circumstances."
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The Chanukkah Guest
Kimmel, E. A., & Carmi, G. (1990). The Chanukkah guest. New York: Holiday House.
"Old Bubba Brayna, 97, still makes the best potato latkes in the village. So each year at Chanukkah, her friends and the rabbi come through the snow to share her cooking and hospitality. The first to arrive this year, however, is a grumpy old bear aroused from his cave by the delicious smells of cooking. The nearly blind Bubba mistakes him for the rabbi, welcomes him in and lets him keep his fur coat on against the chill. She carries on with enough chatter for two as the bear growls through the blessing, eats a huge platter of latkes, and bestows a lick on Old Bubba in thanks. When the rabbi and the villagers arrive, they and Bubba figure out who she has been entertaining, have a good laugh, and retire to the kitchen where Bubba begins to cook all over again."
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"Old Bubba Brayna, 97, still makes the best potato latkes in the village. So each year at Chanukkah, her friends and the rabbi come through the snow to share her cooking and hospitality. The first to arrive this year, however, is a grumpy old bear aroused from his cave by the delicious smells of cooking. The nearly blind Bubba mistakes him for the rabbi, welcomes him in and lets him keep his fur coat on against the chill. She carries on with enough chatter for two as the bear growls through the blessing, eats a huge platter of latkes, and bestows a lick on Old Bubba in thanks. When the rabbi and the villagers arrive, they and Bubba figure out who she has been entertaining, have a good laugh, and retire to the kitchen where Bubba begins to cook all over again."
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Gershon's Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year
Kimmel, E. A., & Muth, J. J. (2000).Gershon's monster: a story for the Jewish New Year. New York: Scholastic Press.
Rather than regret or atone for his everyday mistakes, baker Gershon simply sweeps them into his basement. Once a year on Rosh Hashanah, he stuffs these demon-shaped transgressions in a giant bag and dumps them into the Black Sea. Of course, Gershon must discover sooner or later that his selfish acts cannot be disposed of so easily. In spite of a pointed warning from a rabbi, Gershon refuses to realize that his behavior will come back to haunt him someday. It's only when he is faced with the monstrous bulk of his misdeeds that Gershon finally, truly repents."
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Rather than regret or atone for his everyday mistakes, baker Gershon simply sweeps them into his basement. Once a year on Rosh Hashanah, he stuffs these demon-shaped transgressions in a giant bag and dumps them into the Black Sea. Of course, Gershon must discover sooner or later that his selfish acts cannot be disposed of so easily. In spite of a pointed warning from a rabbi, Gershon refuses to realize that his behavior will come back to haunt him someday. It's only when he is faced with the monstrous bulk of his misdeeds that Gershon finally, truly repents."
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Cactus Soup
Kimmel, E. A., & Huling, P. (2004). Cactus soup. New York: Marshall Cavendish.
"When a group of hungry soldiers ride into San Miguel, the townspeople don’t want to share their food. They hide their tortillas, tamales, beans, and flour and put on torn clothes to look poor. But the Capitán is not fooled. He asks for a cactus thorn to make some cactus soup, and before long he has tricked the townspeople into giving him salt and chilies, vegetables, and a chicken as well!"
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"When a group of hungry soldiers ride into San Miguel, the townspeople don’t want to share their food. They hide their tortillas, tamales, beans, and flour and put on torn clothes to look poor. But the Capitán is not fooled. He asks for a cactus thorn to make some cactus soup, and before long he has tricked the townspeople into giving him salt and chilies, vegetables, and a chicken as well!"
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The Mysterious Guests: A Sukkot Story
Kimmel, E. A., & Krenina, K. (2008). The mysterious guests: a Sukkoth story. New York: Holiday House.
"Master storyteller Eric A. Kimmel spins a tale of Sukkot just in time for the Jewish harvest festival. It was the season of Sukkot, the Jewish harvest festival. Two brothers each built a sukkah, or shelter, to celebrate and share in the gifts of the earth. One brother was very rich; the other brother was very poor. He built a sukkah of found materials and leftover goods, yet he invited all to share the holiday with him. When three mysterious guests visit each brother on Sukkot, they leave behind a special blessing that recognizes the generosity of the heart."
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"Master storyteller Eric A. Kimmel spins a tale of Sukkot just in time for the Jewish harvest festival. It was the season of Sukkot, the Jewish harvest festival. Two brothers each built a sukkah, or shelter, to celebrate and share in the gifts of the earth. One brother was very rich; the other brother was very poor. He built a sukkah of found materials and leftover goods, yet he invited all to share the holiday with him. When three mysterious guests visit each brother on Sukkot, they leave behind a special blessing that recognizes the generosity of the heart."
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The Three Cabritos
Kimmel, E. A., Gilpin, S., & Asbjørnsen, P. C. (2007). The three cabritos. Tarrytown, NY: M. Cavendish Children.
"Once upon a time three cabritos (little goats) decide to go to a Mexican fiesta. But their mother is worried. She warns them about Chupacabra, the goat-sucker who lives beneath the bridge. And sure enough, as the goats cross the bridge, he jumps out! "Say your prayers. I’m going to eat you," he tells the goats. But they are clever. And they know how to play music—music that finally gets rid of that old goat-sucker forever! Pleasant illustrations rendered in pencil and digital techniques by Stephen Gilpin add to the story of the legendary creature, Chupacabra. An author’s note, glossary, and pronunciation guide are included."
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"Once upon a time three cabritos (little goats) decide to go to a Mexican fiesta. But their mother is worried. She warns them about Chupacabra, the goat-sucker who lives beneath the bridge. And sure enough, as the goats cross the bridge, he jumps out! "Say your prayers. I’m going to eat you," he tells the goats. But they are clever. And they know how to play music—music that finally gets rid of that old goat-sucker forever! Pleasant illustrations rendered in pencil and digital techniques by Stephen Gilpin add to the story of the legendary creature, Chupacabra. An author’s note, glossary, and pronunciation guide are included."
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The Lady in the Blue Cloak: Legends from the Texas Missions
Kimmel, E. A., & Guevara, S. (2006). The lady in the blue cloak: legends from the Texas missions. New York: Holiday House.
"For each Texas mission, there is a rich and complicated history. In the title story, from Mision de San Francisco de los Tejas, a mysterious woman in blue visits the Teas people to prepare them for the missionaries' arrival. In "Rosa's Window" and "The Bell" the love and grief of two couples torn apart in the making of the Mision de San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo manifest themselves in the very edifices of the mission. The Mision de Nuestra SEnora de la Purisma Concepcion de Acuna, named for and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was the scene of a remarkable salvation as the Teas workers tried to escape the heated pursuit of the Comanches in "The Miracle at the Gate."
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"For each Texas mission, there is a rich and complicated history. In the title story, from Mision de San Francisco de los Tejas, a mysterious woman in blue visits the Teas people to prepare them for the missionaries' arrival. In "Rosa's Window" and "The Bell" the love and grief of two couples torn apart in the making of the Mision de San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo manifest themselves in the very edifices of the mission. The Mision de Nuestra SEnora de la Purisma Concepcion de Acuna, named for and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was the scene of a remarkable salvation as the Teas workers tried to escape the heated pursuit of the Comanches in "The Miracle at the Gate."
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