Review by Booklist Review
This spinoff of the wondrously beautiful The Hidden World of Gnomes (2023) reintroduces readers to the enchanting, natural world of The Pocket by following a young gnome, Grolly Maru, as they are introduced to the many sweet, harmonious ways of their people. Striking a familiar, hypnotically peaceful cadence, Soloy draws readers deep into her world, one lesson at a time, as Grolly Maru learns about the many circles found in nature (acorn caps, rabbit poop, Pearl Pigeon's eyes); Cob Tiggy's best hat ideas (a snail, a raspberry, a dandelion puff); Rose Gladly's favorite leaves (oak, clover, rose); plus various games, songs, stretches, snacks (including a real, kid-friendly recipe embedded into the text), and more. Between these episodic introductions, interstitial spreads give readers a nice, long breath, presenting a pair of wordless, six-panel pages that simply show a natural progression of some sort: clouds shifting, strawberries ripening, birds gathering. At every step, the wonder, beauty, and mystery of nature is on display, with Soloy's soft, endearing artwork delighting on every earthy, cream-colored page. The wonderfully busy day is capped off by a poetic reflection from Grolly Maru, adding a new layer of meaning to this lovely reverie of a book. A gorgeous blend of imagination and appreciation that will entertain, inform, and inspire anyone with a heart.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
This follow-up to The Hidden World of Gnomes re-introduces the gnomes who call their forest home "The Pocket." No white beards or red caps here: these hand-holding gnomes look a bit like children (with a range of skin tones) on a stage -- their peanut-shaped outfits even resemble homemade costumes. Upping the kid-friendly factor are their names, which sound straight out of Beatrix Potter. After the moonlit arrival of new gnome Grolly Maru (referred to as they/them), Burley Bell sings a lullaby and the group curls up on the ground, like it's naptime at daycare. The next day, the gnomes show the fresh recruit around and explain their different jobs in the forest. At day's end the newcomer expresses their gratitude, and the gnomes realize Grolly Maru's skill is poetry. As at preschool, there are lessons (blueberries are yum; rabbit poop is not yum), playtime (Squirrel Scramble and Follow-the-Leader, with ants), and a snack (baked apple with blackberries; recipe included). The warm, earth-toned illustrations are as cozy as the story and include interspersed spreads of paneled vignettes that mimic time-lapse photography (a dandelion opening; a strawberry ripening). Soloy's (Tove and the Island with No Address, rev. 1/25) message that "each unique being is part of a greater whole" is naturally conveyed in this sweet but not sappy tale. Jennifer M. BrabanderNovember/December 2025 p.57 (c) Copyright 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
The characters introduced inThe Hidden World of Gnomes (2023) embrace a new addition, who makes an exciting self-discovery. A mushroom circle forms, and Grolly Maru (who usesthey/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'sCharlotte'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.(Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
