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The Goblin and the Empty Chair

With Audio Recording

Illustrated by Leo Dillon and Diane Dillon

About The Book

In a time long past, in a land far away, a family has suffered an unspeakable loss.

But a lonely goblin has been watching. And he knows what to do to help them heal.

From internationally acclaimed picture book masters Mem Fox and Leo and Diane Dillon, here is a rich and moving original fairy tale about family, friendship, and the power compassion has to unite us all.

About The Author

Photo courtesy of the author

Mem Fox is an educator and international literacy expert, and her many acclaimed picture books for young children include Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug!; Hello Baby!; Baby Bedtime; I’m an Immigrant Too; the bestselling modern classics Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes and Time for Bed; and, for adults, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. She lives in Adelaide, Australia. Visit her at MemFox.com.

About The Illustrators

Leo and Diane Dillon are an award winning illustrator pair that have collaborated of book projects for more than fifty years, winning two consecutive Caldecott Medals for Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People's Ears and Ashanti To Zulu: African Traditions. They have also received five New York Times Best Illustrated Books Awards, five Coretta Scott King Honors and one Coretta Scott King Award and many other awards and distinctions. They live and work in Brooklyn, New York.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Beach Lane Books (November 19, 2013)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781439157428
  • Grades: K - 3
  • Ages: 5 - 8
  • Lexile ® AD550L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

"In this original fairy tale, acclaimed author Mem Fox tell the moving story of a lonely goblin...The illustrations by two-time Caldecott Medalists, Leo and DIane Dillon, are wonderfully expressive paintings for which the couple is famous...While the simple text can be read by children on their own, the pictures, story, and subject matter make this a natural for sharing aloud with children of all ages. Recommended."-Library Media Connection

"The Dillons' characteristic clean lines and controlled palette mirror the tender emotion of the tale while providing young viewers with plenty of visual cues to guide them along the story...this gentle read will...leave listeners safisfied."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Awards and Honors

  • Parents' Choice Award
  • Cleveland Public Library Celebrate With Books Selection

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

  • Author Photo (jpg): Mem Fox
    Photo courtesy of the author
    (0.1 MB)

    Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit

More books from this author: Mem Fox