Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The classroom garden is ready for harvest, and everyone is excited-especially Gnome, a garden gnome who could have easily wandered in from a vintage Golden Book. But the class's communal spirits falter as it becomes clear that Gnome has almost zero impulse control. After making a mess of the garden beds and spraying his unamused classmates with the hose, Gnome reaps what he sows: "At recess, no one would play with him. And at the end of the day, no one said good-bye." Suddenly Gnome is a lot more sympathetic, but Anstee (Are We There, Yeti?) emphasizes that apologies, however heartfelt, won't be enough; the only way to repair the social fabric is for Gnome to roll up his sleeves and get the garden looking gorgeous again. While the story doesn't plumb great emotional depths, Anstee's bright, retro illustrations effectively convey what's both funny and wrong when Gnome goes wild. And most children will know a Gnome-or know that they're capable of Gnome-like behavior from time to time. Ages 4-8. Agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Gnome is excitable, particularly when it comes to the garden he and his fellow students at Greenthumb Elementary have been growing. When Gnome is assigned to weed, he pulls up too many plants. He is assigned to water but plays with the hose. He is supposed to stand still and hold a basket but chases animals all around the garden and is sent inside for his misbehavior, where he is shunned for the rest of the day. Feeling regretful, Gnome finds a thoughtful way to undo all of the problems he has caused, and the class is able to have a successful harvest. Anstee's gouache and Photoshop illustrations are full of color, energy, and life. Young children will appreciate the humor in this story and will chime in on the "No, no, Gnome!" refrain. VERDICT A charming book for storytime and a general purchase.-Liz Anderson, DC Public Library © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Only one student at Greenthumb Elementary disrupts everyone's gardening efforts: Gnome ignores the teacher, goes berserk with the hose, etc. But when he realizes his behavior is alienating his classmates, he becomes a garden(ing) gnome. The book is funny, playfully illustrated, and unobtrusively message-y: the multiracial cast of human and rabbit classmates unblinkingly accepts bearded, white-haired, probably-elderly Gnome as one of their own. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
It's time to harvest the school garden, and a young gnome has difficulty controlling his excitement. The class at Greenthumb Elementary is decidedly diverse. Not only do the children display a variety of skin tones, there are also a few anthropomorphic rabbit students (also apparently of different ethnicities), plusone gnome. The white-bearded youngster has a bulbous nose, huge smile, and unbridled enthusiasm. So much so, in fact, that he wreaks havoc on the garden. Mr. Waters first instructs Gnome to pull weeds. But soon his eagerness takes over, and he uncontrollably begins ripping everything from the ground, crops included. This causes the students to cry out in dismay, "No, no, Gnome!" (an all-too-familiar refrain for them). By the time Gnome's bursts of energy are finally calmed, the garden is in ruins. The other students droop as dejectedly as the tattered plants. No one wants to speak to Gnome. He must figure out a way to earn their forgiveness. In a solution that encourages readers to repair their mistakes (even if it's a bit unrealistic that a whole garden could be fixed in a single afternoon), Gnome's smile shines brightly again. The warm, gouache illustrations showcase a bountiful harvest of produce and friendship. A lighthearted glimpse into a hyperactive, impulsive tot's world and a possible learning tool to encourage social-emotional growth. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
