A Gnome's Christmas

by Bruce Goldstone, Rien Poortvliet (Illustrator)

A mysterious box found in an old barn in Finland contains papers which detail how gnomes celebrate Christmas with games, music, food, and stories.

Genres: Christmas, Fantasy, Picture Books, Childrens, Art, Holiday, Fiction

48 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2004

About the author

Bruce Goldstone is the author of several books, including 100 Ways to Celebrate 100 Days, Great Estimations, Greater Estimations and The Beastly Feast. He has worked in educational publishing for nearly twenty years. Growing up in Ohio, Bruce fell in love with reading and the magic of words, and even back then he knew he wanted to be a writer. Books have always been an important part of his life, from buying used paperbacks to his first job, shelving books as a library page. He now lives in New York City with a plethora of pets including one dog, three parakeets, and an aquarium.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/bruceg...

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a mysterious box is found in a Finnish barn, its contents are revealed as a chronicle of Gnomish Christmas customs. From the arrival of Sinterklaas and his assistant Little Piet on December 6th, through the Christmas Rounds done on Christmas Night, and concluding with Edda Night on January 6th, Christmas in Gnomish culture is a month-long celebration. With games and songs, presents and plays, the merry and generous Gnomes celebrate with one another, and with all the animals of the natural world, who are in their care...

This delightful little fantasy guidebook contains lots of descriptions of Gnomish customs, a few Gnomish songs (complete with musical notation), and a few Gnomish teaching tales. The text is from American children's author Bruce Goldstone, and the artwork from Rien Poortvliet, co-creator, together with Wil Huygen, of the celebrated Dutch children's classic, Gnomes . A delightful little book, A Gnome's Christmas is the perfect holiday title for readers who love stories about little gnomes or tomten. The cover is decorated in red velvet, and there is a Gnome decoration included in an envelope at the rear. Although I have not yet read Gnomes (it has been on my to-read shelf for many years), I picked this one up with anticipation, given my usual enjoyment of this kind of story, and I was not disappointed! Recommended to anyone looking for magical Christmas books featuring these gentle and merry caretakers of the natural world.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! If you love gnomes, don't miss this!!! Chronicles the Christmas activites of gnomes--festivities, food, music, gifts, stories... all with a focus on home, family and kindness to others. The artwork is fabulous, too! A gem. Suitable for children, too.

[Shannon Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought it to read for my kids, I love reading Christmas stories with them. The art is beautiful!

[Camille Tinnin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is adorable. Probably not great to read aloud to kids-- it's written in more of an ethnography style, giving insight to the world of Gnomes at Christmas. There are even little Gnome Christmas Carols in it!

[Jamie Jonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some beautiful jewels come in the form of books. And 95% of the work that Mr. Poortvliet did in his life certainly bears that statement out. With his ultra-charming little look at the Christmas traditions of that Scandinavian faery, the gnome, he gives a transcendent look at what the world would be if we all could just get along and be happy. Though it's true that a scattered few of the animal illustrations here are not up to Poortvliet par--particularly that of a pig fallen through the ice towards the end of the book, which is barely recognizable as a pig--the work as a whole is gorgeous and heartwarming enough that it's easy to forgive a very small let-down in quality. (In fact, I think it's definite that another, lesser artist was involved in portions of this book, since my research shows the author died in 1995 and the copyright year is 2004.) I plan to read this to my grandson when he's old enough--and I fervently hope he appreciates it.

[Gina House · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated Christmas book all about the habits of gnomes during the holidays. It wasn't the most amazing read, but it was totally worth it for the lovely gnome-y feeling. There are songs, short stories, and lots to learn about what gnome families due to get ready (and how they celebrate) the festive season. I love gnomes, so this is a fun book to add to my collection.

[Adrianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the illustrations. I love reading these gnome books. Guess it all started with David the Gnome. It has a little recipe and several songs with sheet music to accompany. If you enjoy the other books or just love to tickle your fancy with the subject I highly recommend.

[Dashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated but read more as a guide to what Gnomes do instead of a story. Just not what I was looking for. But it did include sheet music which was a nice surprise. Gorgeous but just not for me.

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so stinking cute.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enchantingly cozy.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super sweet Christmas gift from my Dutch Auntie - adorable animal imagery throughout!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was so charming and cute, and way more detailed than i was expecting

[Stacy Tourangeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sitting on our coffee table for some time. One day, I decided to have peek at it before work. I was quickly drawn into a fascinating and charming story with very refreshing and soothing drawings.

Throughout this book, I surprised myself to start believing in those intriguing creatures.

I definitively recommend reading this book with your favorite hot beverage. It's a delight.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. Those of us who remember the wildly successful Gnomes will enjoy reading it to or with the kids. I wouldn't enjoy being a gnome, but the idea that they spend a month in winter at home with their families or out helping animals is charming. Interestingly, the focus is much more on the adult gnomes, including a sweet bit about parents kissing. Little bits about food and songs and games. And this is the only time I haven't been offended by Little Piet: the part is played by a mole.

Library copy.

[Aria Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable book containing illustrations by Rien Poortvliet, the Dutch artist famous for his gnomes. Like his other books, this one pretends to be an actual presentation of the way of life of gnomes. Here we learn about the habits, food, songs etc. of gnomes during Christmas.

4/5 because the book is rather short, but the content will delight all fans of the gnomes! :-)

[Jenny Sparrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Книжка-малышка про то, как гномы справляют Рождество, традиции, игры и угощения.
У меня есть все энциклопедии из этой серии, но по случаю Нового года прочитала первой эту. Очень нравится, как детально прописывается жизнь гномов, даже по этой небольшой книжечке видно, что остальные энциклопедии читать будет очень интересно. Ну и иллюстрации обалденные, конечно.

[Jaime the Wizzard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo cute! I love Poortvliet's gnome books and this will be great for my daughter when she's older. We even have an old Gnome tree ornament, so that will tie together nicely in our Christmas traditions.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who, dear reader, does not want to hear how the gnomes celebrate Christmas? This is a darling book filled with songs, poems, stories and lore. And tucked in a red envelope at the end, is a cute little gnome, ready to hang on the tree. This book is pure joy!

[Charlotte Fairchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

The outside is real velvet. The inside has beautiful illustration and a story that is fanciful and gentle. It is funny and happy. Gnomes play harps.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book, light reading, beautifully illustrated.