THE HIDDEN WORLD OF GNOMES

Tiny gnomes’ life goals center on experiencing as much joy as possible.

More emotive and less instructive than Owen Churcher and Niamh Sharkey’s A Field Guide to Leaflings (2023), this book introduces similar elusive beings who live “all around us.” Inventive names like Hotchi Mossy, Merry Pip, and Cob Tiggy help individualize Soloy’s thumb-size creatures, who have bulbous bodies, stick appendages, and kind, squarish faces in shades from light to brown. The gnomes each have an “important job,” like storytelling, eggsitting for birds, and planting. They ride leaves while wearing acorn helmets, enjoy chases astride squirrels and hares, and seem to be vegan. Gnomes love celebrating, singing and circle-dancing when a mushroom appears or a shiny rock is found. Unlike the lollipop watercolors of Leaflings, the art here features heavy lines and earthy colors that will perhaps inspire some young copyists. The book aims to make readers more attentive to nature as a source of joy: Rose Gladly’s seed library or Abel Potter’s “woody pig” (i.e., woodlouse) might help readers find pleasure in what they see outdoors. There are joys for every sense, including a recipe for gnome cookies. And there are more subtle forms of happiness to appreciate, like “the joy of sitting with another person, not talking, together.” The final message is direct: “You can choose to look closely. You can choose to see the magic in the world. You can choose to believe.” (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Gnomish “heart-seeing” might be the best way to appreciate this winning tribute to euphoria.