Reviews

The Goblin and the Empty Chair by Leo Dillon, Diane Dillon, Mem Fox

jillycat's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

While I love the story and the illustrations, one aspect is disturbing. They young girl allows the goblin, a complete stranger, to soothe her in her bed at night. She simply pretends she doesn't see him. Do we really want young children to think that the should ignore a stranger who enters their bedrooms and touches them the think it's okay?

snazel's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Odd, quiet book about grief, and acceptance, and love. Worth keeping on the shelf to explain helping when bad things happen.

faeriedrumsong's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

The goblin hates who he is, but the people he helps see past that...

Very nice book with a lot of applications in a wide age range.

beththebookdragon's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Beautiful, unique fairy-tale-like story of a goblin who hates himself because of his ugly face, but reaches out anonymously to help a grieving family.
Leo and Diane Dillon's illustrations are marvelously drawn and colored as always, and fit the fairy-tale style.
A lovely story to read to mature preschoolers and young elementary-school kids, with several subtly expressed messages.

devafagan's review against another edition

Go to review page

Loved the illustrations in this picture book.

maidmarianlib's review

Go to review page

5.0

Stunning pictures with a traditional fantasy feel and a great story.

amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I didn’t enjoy these illustrations much. I didn’t like the message that some people need to hide from the world until they prove their worth. I wish there had been more backstory to the goblin.
More...