Gnomes-

I adore this book. I flipped through the pages of this book countless times throughout my childhood. I am like a magnet to detailed illustrations with handwritten notes around them, and pages fashioned like an old scientific information illustration. Wonderful addition to my home library.

I'm so very sorry to have to rate a purchase negatively but this particular copy of a wonderful book (I've known the book since childhood) smells so strongly of mildew/mold that it should not have been sold. I've been trying to air it out but the smell persists. Disappointed and will try to return it/seek a credit.

This isn't a book that would normally make its way into my reading pile but I am glad it did. I remember growing up and watching a show called David the Gnome and this book helped my to capture a little bit of my lost youth. It is wonderfully written and illustrated. The descriptions are so well written and so detailed that you shouldn't be surprised to find yourself absently staring at your own garden trying to capture a glimpse of the Gnomes yourself. This is a great read and would make a wonderful present for yourself or someone you know looking to add just a little bit of magic to their lives.

I was enchanted when I first pored over this as a six-year-old, and am equally enchanted today, 30 years later. The illustrations and writing are not only timeless, but ageless as well... I suspect I will be equally moved 30 years hence!

This book is fabulous. It has an in depth background about gnomes and the illustration is amazing! I've picked it up so many times and learned something new each time. After reading it I had to bring some gnomes home to hang out around the house. I do see little things they work on around the yard he-he. We've passed the book all around to friends and family to look through and enjoy.

I was first introduced to this book as a young child. It was one of my grandma's coffee table books. I poured over page after page of the amazing illustrations. I looked at it so much, my grandma eventually gave the book to me. This book actually makes you believe in gnomes. In addition to the awesome pictures, this book covers everything on gnomes and I mean everything...anatomy, physiology, medicine, transportation, family life, types of gnomes and where they live...and much, much more. My favorite part is the illustration of the house. This is a great book for children, for the young at heart, and for those interested in "imaginary" beings. **FYI, there are pictures of naked gnomes, so you may want to look through this book before allowing young children to see it. **

Everyone should own this book - it is utterly irresistable! It has magical characters, magnificent finely drawn illustrations, and presents an overall philosophy of life that we could all learn lessons from. Please don't be fooled into thinking that it is just a children's book - it is a wonderful addition to any library. It has a believable and detailed discussion of the food is are most loved by gnomes, how they raise their children, when they marry, where they live, what sorts of pets they have (cute mice in little baskets!) and how they tend to animals in the wild. The section which shows a cut away of their house is worth the purchase price alone - the imagination and thought that has gone into this book is amazing.So if you want a little whimsy in your library, or on your coffee table, this is the book for you. If you want a book with magnificently detailed ilustrations, this is a book for you. Overall I think it is a book for everyone who is young at heart, or who likes a little magic in their everyday lives.