Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke is a funny fantasy story that flips the classic hero dynamic on its head. Hatke tells the story of a goblin in a dungeon who enjoys a pleasant life counting treasure and spending time with the Skeleton King, when a band of ‘heroes’ barge into the dungeon, pillage his treasure and take his friend. This event sparks the goblin’s odyssey as he leaves the comfort of his dungeon to search for his friend, braving danger and fleeing pitchfork wielding farmers at every step. Eventually, the goblin ends up in a cave far from home, where he finds out that there are in fact, people who like goblins and want to help him on his quest.
Parents who are fans of fantasy and Dungeons & Dragons will instantly recognize the tropes that Hatke is utilizing and will likely be just as amused as the children. The illustrations are rich and vibrant, adding extra sly humor and detail to the story. In the end, Nobody Likes a Goblin is a story about courage, friendship, and heroism that demonstrates that friends can be found when and where you least expect them. Suggested for ages 4 – 8.