The White Goblin

The Rainbow Goblins #2

by Ul De Rico

After the destruction of the Rainbow Goblins, the White Goblin rouses the Cave Goblins to go out into the world and seize its colors, and they eventually pollute everything they touch

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction

36 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

aka Ulderico Gropplero di Troppenburg

Reviews

[Atziri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I was really surprised about the story line in this book. I love his first book titled "The Rainbow Goblins" which was published in 1977. This one was produced twenty years after. The drawings are just as beautiful as the first book, but the story line is a bit dark.

In this story the eighth goblin, the white one, comes back to enjoy the world of color. he had been banished to the ice world by the 7 goblins who are now dead. The white goblin convinces the Cave Goblins to leave the "underworld" and enjoy and feed themselves on all the beautiful colors that the world has to offer. These cave goblins start devouring the world until it is colorless. Somehow it makes me think that Ul de Rico captured his feelings about the world today through this story.

[Mely · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book wasn't as great as The Rainbow Goblins that we read before. But it is still a fantastic read. The illustrations are stunning and I wish this writer would have put out more books in his career. This is a book for older children as the writing is a little lengthy and the storyline is a bit complex. As an adult, I highly recommend it!

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is supposedly about evil cave goblins, but honestly it is an allegory for greedy humans and it really hit home. Capitalism, environmentalism, deforestation, corporate growth and outsourcing - so much can be deduced and condemned from this brilliant work. I had no clue that the Count also was the visionary behind "The Neverending Story" but it makes sense with how creepy his characters are.

[Carla Marasco · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this out of curiosity since I grew up with the Rainbow Gobblins book. Although I'm glad to own it, I feel like the book was written to make up for the gruesome end of the first book. Both books are collection worthy in my opinion, although it may just be nostalgic.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is beautiful but dark - darker than The Rainbow Goblins. I am convinced the Cave goblins are allegories for humans. Recommended.

[Chalice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm... very interesting. A rather strange story, with a pretty on the nose message.
Illustrations were epic, though.

[Abner Rosenweig · Rating 5 out of 5]

De Rico's illustrations are beautiful, vivid, imaginative, enchanting, and they always induce a deep, transportive calm when I see them, like sitting in front of a cozy fireplace in the middle of winter or looking at sacred paleolithic art amid the quiet darkness of an ancient cave.

The White Goblin is an outstanding allegory about the greediness of modern man and the imminent collapse of industrial civilization. I've read hundreds of articles and books on these complex subjects; de Rico's book distills them to a fine, beautiful essence and highlights the issues with more emotion and energy than most of the other books I've read combined. In this way, The White Goblin is a testament to the power of art.

If you have a chance to read The White Goblin, take it.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, still undecided about the lesson that may be trying to be taught here.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two decades after The Rainbow Goblin comes this sequel which is visually more breathtaking than the first. This would actually go perfect with other Earth Day books because of its message.

[Amber Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.