gnomes

2 New Outstanding Outdoor Picture Books

| Tasha

The Newest Gnome by Lauren Soloy 

Publisher: Tundra Books

Publication Date: October 7, 2025

Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley

ISBN: 9781774887202

Return to the world first shared in The Hidden World of Gnomes with this second book set in The Pocket. When a new mushroom circle is discovered, the gnomes know that a new gnome is about to arrive. It is Grolly Maru, a fuzzy brown gnome with stand up ears. The gnomes fall asleep under the stars, preparing to share their love of the world with Grolly Maru the next day. And my, do they share! They try various hats, scramble with squirrels, look at leaves, follow ants, make animal sounds, learn songs, bake a treat, and count all sorts of things. By the end of the day, the gnomes aren’t sure what sort of gnome Grolly Maru will be, until Grolly Maru demonstrates.

This entire book is wonderfully organic and infused with small natural wonders. The pages are warmly tan and show quiet moments of plant growth, bird song, spiders spinning, and fall weather. The stories and information shared by the gnomes will have children wanting to explore their own yards to find small things happening there or greet the worms at the start of the day themselves. The book reminds us to look around, learn about nature and find our own bits of magic. 

Merry, quiet and abundant, this picture book is a celebration of nature in small and large ways. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

The Night of the Hedgehog by Tanya Rosie, illustrated by Chuck Groenink 

Publisher: Candlewick

Publication Date: November 11, 2025

Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley

ISBN: 9781536245066

When the hedgehog came to their yard at night, the little girl’s father woke her up. This had happened before. They tiptoed out barefoot in the garden to watch. Silent and still, the two watched as the hedgehog came out of the bushes. Then they quietly went inside to fill a pan with water. Back to waiting silently in the dark and then they saw an entire hedgehog family come out for a drink. After drinking, the baby hedgehogs followed their mother to the “hog hole” which would lead them to the next yard. Then it was back to bed full of sighs and smiles for the special night.

This quintessentially English rhyming picture book offers American readers a glimpse into the joy of having wild hedgehogs in your neighborhood. Readers will love the coziness of the story, the wonder of going outside in the dark and then the joy of not only seeing hedgehogs but providing for them in different ways. The illustrations add to the joy of the special yet quiet night with their warm golden light and cool blue night. 

Just right for bedtime or an adventure to spy your own wild night creatures. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

2 Delightfully Detailed Picture Books

| Tasha

A Book of Maps for You by Lourdes Heuer, illustrated by Maxwell Eaton III (9780823455706)

From a map of the town with its orange groves, this book of maps explores neighborhoods, yards, the local school, the town library, the city park, and Main Street. At the end of the book, the person creating the maps heads away to a car and moving van and a new person finds the book of maps waiting as they arrive to what is their new home.

Full of wry details, this book offer the joy of maps large and small and exploring them on the page. An inspiring book that will have children creating their own maps. 

Appropriate for ages 4-6. Reviewed from library copy.

The Gnome Book by Loes Riphagen, translated by Michele Hutchison (9781782694687)

Kick is a gnome who wants to share everything about how gnomes live. Gnomes live in cities and villages mostly, between the walls. Kick shows readers how to make their own gnome hat, what clothes they have, and what pet insects they own. They share their collections and their favorite things as well as details about their family, school and life.

Filled with details to pore over, this Dutch picture book gives a humorous glimpse of the life of a tiny gnome that will have young readers glued to the page. Small touches throughout the book award a slow approach and deep reading. 

Appropriate for ages 4-6. Reviewed from library copy.