Two evil spirits wreak havoc on the town of Brisk's Hanukkah celebration, until the town's wise rabbi puts a stop to their mischief.

Author Eric A. Kimmel spins an original Hanukkah fairy-tale in this entertaining holiday picture-book, following the story of two mischief-making devils and the chaos their spells cause in the town of Brisk one winter night. Peeking in the windows, their incantations of "Zigazak!" cause dreidels to sprout legs and latkes to fly, leading the terrified citizens to rush to their rabbi for help. Being a wise man, the rabbi is unafraid of the devils, even using his wits to get them to do some good magic, before tricking them into a form which he can banish...

Reminiscent in many ways of various folktales featuring devils and demons, who must be outwitted by the clever human hero, Zigazak!: A Magical Hanukkah Night presents an engaging tale, one of magic and hi-jinks at the holidays. The accompanying artwork by Jon Goodell is colorful and expressive - sometimes, as in the depiction of the devils as cockroaches, a little too expressive! - and accentuates both the humor and the fear of the story. With the proviso that alert parents and caregivers should perhaps avoid giving this one to timid or easily frightened children, I would recommend this one to those searching for fun, magical Hanukkah stories in picture-book form. ( )

Rabbis are often even more heroic than Puss in Boots, or Finn McCoul & wife. What a delightful book, even for this atheist! ( )

Some mischievous little devils try to ruin one town's Hanukkah celebration, but the quick witted rabbi tricks them and saves the day. Everyone is afraid, but the rabbi stays calm and gets rid of the evil spirits that are trying to ruin their celebration. ( )

SPOILER: As in Puss in Boots, the hero tricks the enormously powerful monsters to change shape into something small enough that he can destroy them, in this case cockroaches.

What made the book interesting to me was rabbi's reaction. While the townspeople are afraid of the objects that demons have suddenly brought to life on the first night of Hanukkah, the rabbi is delighted by them.
A quote that I think sums it up:
"Nothing is completely wicked," the rabbi replied. "Sparks of holiness exist in all things. Even in devils and their mischief. You came here to spoil our Hanukkah, but by recognizing what was beautiful and delightful in your tricks, I made them good." ( )