FICTION

Santa, Please Bring Me a Gnome

by An SWERTS
tr. from Dutch. illus. by Eline Van Lindenhuizen. 32p. Clavis. Sept. 2017. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781605372754; pap. $9.95. ISBN 9781605373898.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—The only thing Tess wants for Christmas is a real gnome—a tiny friend with whom she can go to school, play on the swings, and read books. She shares her wish with her grandparents, who outfit a small house to her specifications with little wooden furniture and a teeny quilt. On Christmas day, she wakes up to a hamster instead, but the accompanying letter from Santa offers a more than satisfactory explanation. This may not be a surprise to any child who has taken a look at the cover art, which depicts a hamster riding in Tess's backpack, but the story is sweet and appealing, as are the cartoon illustrations of Tess and her round-faced, smiling family.
VERDICT This is a good choice for libraries seeking heartwarming Christmas picture books that don't feature wisecracking elves, animal-filled barns, or too much treacle.
Reviewed by Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library , Oct 01, 2017

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BLOGS

Magic City, a guest post by R. M. Romero
by Amanda MacGregor
BLOGS

Book Review: The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon
by Amanda MacGregor
BOOKS

The Storyteller
by Bonilla, Lindsay
BOOKS

Not a Smiley Guy
by Horvath, Polly
BOOKS

The Blue Pickup
by Tripplett, Natasha
BOOKS

Nana in the Country
by Castillo, Lauren
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?