THE NEWEST GNOME

The characters introduced in The Hidden World of Gnomes (2023) embrace a new addition, who makes an exciting self-discovery.

A mushroom circle forms, and Grolly Maru (who uses they/them pronouns) emerges through the parted moss. The gnomes of the Pocket, a warm and welcoming bunch, take it upon themselves to teach the newcomer about their love of their natural world and to explain their individual jobs. Cob Tiggy shows Grolly Maru some of his favorite hats, from a raspberry to a dandelion puff. Merry Pip schools Grolly Maru in animal sounds and “animal quiets.” When Grolly Maru’s belly rumbles, they join Bonnie Plum in baking a fruit treat and later get a lesson in “gnome numbers” from Puckle Swift. The gnomes stop by Mrs. Spider’s place as the arachnid takes a page out of E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web and spins an inspiring message: “Life is as mysterious as ever!” A gnome named Minoletta delivers a day’s-end paean to the oneness of the world. And finally, as the new inductee stands up to share their thoughts, they find themselves waxing rhapsodic about the moon—turns out Grolly Maru is a poet! Beginning readers might trip over the lengthier passages, but for the most part, this is another sweet immersion in a whimsical world populated by endearing residents who vary in skin tone. Soloy’s lovely, intricate vignettes, rendered in muted watercolors, brim with warmth.

Young naturalists will be utterly absorbed by the tiny delights here.