Hobgoblin and the Seven Stinkers of Rancidia

Hazy Fables #1

by Kyle Sullivan, Derek Sullivan (Illustrator)

Named a Best Book of 2019 by Kirkus Reviews, this pungent parody of Snow White modernizes (and stinks up) the themes of the classic fairy tale to serve as a timely parable of the virtues of inclusive democracy versus the evils of corrupt regimes.
Set in the faraway (and terrible-smelling) land of Rancidia, where it’s good to smell bad and bad to smell good, this hilarious middle-grade chapter book follows the adventures of the profoundly stinky Hobgoblin as he flees the jealous wrath of a monstrous, democracy-hating ogre tyrant named Fiddlefart. Along the way, he joins forces with the Seven Stinkers―an outcast band of foul-smelling creatures (Grody the bog monster, Yucky the skunk ape, Icky the sloth, Musty the mummy, Fusty the moldy pirate skeleton, Poot the sentient dung ball, and Toot, the dung beetle), the adorable barking spiders, and a mysterious squirrel known only as The Huntress. Visit hazydellpress.com for free education guides and activities perfect for schools, libraries, homeschool and stay-at-home learning. ★ "Readers will giggle through every page of this smart political satire. As the stench-loving Rancidians would It stinks!" ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Engages hard-to-please tween readers with imaginative adventure, fun illustrations [and] silly fart references...Read it together at bedtime to share laughter and a positive message of empathy and inclusivity." ― The Seattle Times "[A] hilarious second coming of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs…This story is like nothing you’ve ever read before…You’ll instantly fart with glee[.]" ― Literary Features Syndicate

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Humor

180 pages, Hardcover

Published September 17, 2019

About the author

Kyle Sullivan's board books, picture books and middle-grade chapter books have sold more than 150,000 copies worldwide. Featuring monsters and themes from world myths and folklore, Kyle's books promote empathy, inclusivity and imagination, while appealing to parents, guardians, and teachers as much as they appeal to young readers.

Reviews

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book to read with my little! She is a bit young for it but enjoyed my interpretation of characters voices and added sound effects.

For young readers who like comedy and adventure this is a great little chapter book!

[Holly Sparks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine, a snow white retelling. I had high hopes because we love cryptids, but even my kids were tired of the toot talk.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever retelling of Snow White, if she were a smelly farting but still good-hearted hobgoblin and the wicked stepmother were a head ogre who is threatened by the hobgoblin’s stinkiness.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

A hilarious adventure featuring a foul-smelling protagonist, a stinky take on a classic fairy tale, and a daring plot to reinstate democracy in Rancidia.

This book was delightfully gross. Perfect for fans of the style of humor of The Adventures of Captain Underpants and The Day My Butt Went Psycho. Hobgoblin is perfectly content living in the unincorporated mucklands, farming beans and hanging out with his trusty flies. But when King Finddlefart learns Hobgoblin has ousted his as the Grossest Smelling in the Land, he puts together a plan to get rid of Hobgoblin once and for all.

Loved the focus on coming together as a team. Despite the characters' differences, they all work together in order to help the land they love.

Fun, humorous artwork that pairs wonderfully with the text.

A weird, hilarious retelling of Snow White. This charming read is perfect for those who love gross-out humor.

[Gibi Manu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was full of humour and went another direction to what was in my head from the beginning. I still haven't decide between 3.5 or 4 stars. It definitely wasn't the best book but an entertained read! I was not a fan of the ending but I gave it a four because I think the story and the characters build up to it. Recommend but I suggest this book to grade 2 - grade 3 students or you will be bored.

[Karen Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and clever for the intended age group - ages 8-12, although by age 12 some might have outgrown the gross humor phase?
I like retelling of fairy tales, and appreciate the positive portrayal of democracy.

(I can only imagine how much fun the twin brothers had writing this book. And farting.)

[Jp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always trying to find books for the kids in my life to help getting them to read more.

This hits a hilarious sweet spot of absurd and engaging. It is a stinky retelling of Snow White with Hobgoblin as the stinkiest in all the land. The fart puns and potty humor is aimed at the little kids in your life, while the story keeps them reading.

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Some heroes aren’t really that brave, nor all that smart. Some heroes are hobgoblins who smell like a fart” p.5 This stinky version of Snow White will make you laugh out loud with smelly humor and characters like Poot & Toot (a dung beetle and his ball of poo) Grades 3-5

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this parody of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, an evil tyrannical ogre, who wishes to be the stinkiest creature in the land, pursues an even smellier hobgoblin.
Heavy on the fart humor, this story does have some clever moments. Overall not a bad tale.

[Dana Fontaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, farts are never NOT funny. Second of all, this book had no business being this good! There was the whole good vs. evil trope, funny characters, great vocabulary and just a good storyline retelling.

[Deirdre Lohrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg this is such a cute book!! I would love to read this for story time when libraries are fully reopened to their patrons. The characters were great !

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute & clever. Made my kids LOL 😆

[Jill CD · Rating 3 out of 5]

A retelling of Snow White for those that love potty humor. Grades 3 and up.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly and gross humor...the kind of thing my boys typically enjoy. Bad guy was maybe defeated a tad too easily for their taste. Monsters as the cute good guys.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kiddos (9 & 6) loved the potty humor.

[Trissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for kids , especially if they love fart jokes and a funny story.

[Angie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cute and funny book I read with my 6 year old Nephew and he love it.

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

So silly and fun! Looking for something for your Captain Underpants or Stinky Cheese Man fans? Look no further. Tons of smelly, potty humor that kid will just love (and parents secretly will too).

[aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most recent book that I read for bedtime with Fiona. This is a cute book that just happens to be all about fart, terrible smells and all manner of gross scents. I enjoyed how the author really weaved the story in with solid humor that kids will love. Also, there is a great moral in the book so I highly recommend this for your little one!

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss. I also received a signed hardcover copy at ALA Midwinter 2020.