The Goblin and the Empty Chair
Grade 1–3—Frightened by his own reflection, a goblin lives alone, hidden away from the world. One day as he watches from a distance, he sees a farmer who is so overcome with grief that he is unable to finish his work. The next day he sees the farmer's wife and the following day his daughter, both unable to set aside their sorrow and complete their chores. For three nights, the goblin does the family's work, unaware that each member in this silent, sorrowful family has seen him. At breakfast on the fourth day, as they stare at a chair vacant since the loss of a child in the winter, they rise and place another helping of food on the table. Then they open the door. Afraid to enter, the goblin hides, but when the family gets up to leave the table, food untouched, he joins them at breakfast. Each page contains a frame with a large square picture at the bottom and a top border illustration. Small goblin heads peer out from both sides of the frame. The stylized watercolor-and-ink illustrations, done in muted tones, are attractive but static, showing characters that seem to be posing rather than being caught in the action of the moment. Like the pictures, this quiet, simply written tale lacks real drama, but its message of kindness and compassion will appeal to many readers.—Barbara Scotto, Children's Literature New England, Brookline, MAEND