The Hidden World of Gnomes
The Hidden World of Gnomes by Lauren Soloy
A Book Review by Joanna from the SCRL Office (Cataloguing Services)
Genre: Junior Non-Fic. Folklore| Pgs: 96 | 5/5 Stars
Lauren Soloy introduces readers to the Hidden Folk that live all around us in her book "The Hidden World of Gnomes". These gnomes are portrayed as tiny round creatures with adorable names such as "Hotchi-Mossy" and "Puckle Swift", who take care of the plants and animals around them. Readers will learn about the secret lives of the gnomes, their celebrations and songs, their seasons that are based on each full moon (Snowdrop Moon, Strawberry Moon, Goose Moon, etc.), and their special skills and interests such as eggsitting, sed whispering, leaf riding, and moss farming. Each page is fully illustrated in beautiful earth tones and shoes the unique personality of each gnome we meet. This book highlights the simple joys in life such as "the joy of the feeling of the sun warming your eyelids" or "the joy of listening to the bees sing" and will inspire readers to appreciate everyday whimsy and the magic of nature.
Although this title is published for ages 3 - 9, I would recommend it for all ages - especially if you enjoy fictional field guides with gorgeous artwork. The charming and humorous writing style was a delight to read and I was completely enchanted by the detailed world this author has created. I also appreciated how the author strayed from more conventional portrayals of gnomes that you might see as a lawn ornament with a red hat and white beard. Instead, she drew them as something less human-like that only grow their "winter whiskers" when they hibernate for winter. "The Hidden World of Gnomes" is one of my favourite reads of the past year and I will definitely be rereading it many more times. Bonus points for this book being from a Canadian author and a Canadian publisher (Tundra Books)!
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