(2) K-3 The title page of this adventure features both a unicorn and a rainbow, but things quickly shift from cutesy to a more absurd and sidelong tone. The unnamed teeny-weeny unicorn is the smallest member of his family. This is obviously a relatable condition for the potential reader or listener, but this unicorn really is small -- about the size of a chess piece, too small to jump over a taco. His siblings, Fancy Annie and Prince Butterscotch, are condescending and mean. But size is relative, and when our hero inadvertently steps on and squishes the sports car belonging to an even tinier, tough-talking gnome (who then demands a settlement of $250,000), he realizes that in gnome terms he's a giant. The debt gets sorted out, but even better, the teeny-weeny unicorn gets a day alone at his family's palace home playing games by himself -- and the realization that he's a perfect size just as he is. The illustrations, in oil pastel, feature a dynamic relationship between text and images and hefty lashings of pink. Harris (Have You Ever Seen a Flower?, rev. 7/21) again uses the smearing potential of pastels to great effect in showing the teeny protagonist accelerating from walking to trotting to cantering to galloping. This original take on unicorn life and troubles elicits a wry grin on every page.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Colin Jack. Buck and his friend Lizzie are fans of the much-loved fantasy series Triumphant Gnome Syndicate. When they attend the third book's release party, strange things happen, and the kids find themselves in the land of the stories, where it seems Buck himself just might be the hero. Buck's first-person narrative is sharp and funny, and the clever ending (with a girl-power twist) assures a sequel.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Laura K. Horton. Albert is the only gnome who can't grow facial hair, hence he can't participate in the annual Beards International Gnome-athlon (B.I.G.)--or can he? While the book is not noteworthy for its art or its lyricism, kids should appreciate its commitment to groan-inducing puns ("This really gets my goatee"), illustrations depicting beard-cutting as a topiary art, and easygoing weirdness.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Laura K. Horton. "Everygnome" is excited about the Winter Gnome Games, but especially Ginger, who seeks an opportunity to stand out for a reason other than her curly red hair. Unfortunately, judge Englebert seems to have it in for her. Like Go Big or Go Gnome, this follow-up features puns ("You're on thin ice!"), middling storytelling and art, and a pleasing peculiarity.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 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.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 Translated by Susan Beard. Illustrated by Eva Eriksson. Tomte Grump (The Yule Tomte and the Little Rabbits) is sad when his new bee friend leaves, but then a storm drives the forest animals into his home and he's no longer alone. The wedding of rabbits Binny and Rory and Grump's magical dance with a fairy complete their Midsummer festival. Soft, detailed colored-pencil illustrations accompany this lovely book perfect for reading aloud.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Adventures in Cartooning Jr. series. Sleeping ogres near the castle spell trouble to horse Edward and his dynamic knight (Gryphons Aren't So Great). The king has a plan to save the kingdom: the knight must peel lots of vegetables so the garden gnomes can make the ogres an enormous stew to enjoy when they wake up. Large comic panels advance the humorous tale, and endpapers provide entertaining drawing tutorials.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(2) YA The arrival of creatures called tightropers in ancient fairy city Ferrum escalates tension between fairies and gnomes into out-and-out war. Beckan, a fairy girl, strikes uneasy alliances with gnome prince Tier, his fiancée Rig, and tightroper boy Piccolo. Reminiscent of Holly Black and Laini Taylor, this gritty fantasy/war story is also an exploration of love in many forms and creating a family of choice.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2015

(3) 1-3 Fairy Bell Sisters series. Illustrated by Julia Denos. In these episodes in the adventures of Tinkerbell's younger sisters, Clara's magical powers manifest themselves at the annual Valentine's Games and Sylva and Poppy, given a magical dollhouse by Queen Mab, quickly discover that sharing treasure is challenging, even for best friends. McNamara's playful narration balances the sweetness factor, and her characters' realistic imperfections will resonate with readers. Gently shaded sketches add atmosphere. Review covers these Fairy Bell Sisters titles: Clara and the Magical Charms and Sylva and the Lost Treasure.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 1-3 Kingdom of Wrenly series. Illustrated by Robert McPhillips. While visiting the Stone Forest, Prince Lucas's cousin loses her dog and must rely on the gnomes and Lucas's dragon to find him (Forest). Clara proves her knight potential by outperforming an arrogant squire and winning the horse race at the kingdom's Grand Tournament (Games). Beginning readers will enjoy these accessible fantasies, even if the resolutions are predictable. Black-and-white illustrations appear throughout. Review covers the following Kingdom of Wrenly titles: Beneath the Stone Forest and Let the Games Begin.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) 4-6 A variety of parties are interested in the weapons potential of gnome Hector's invention, a mechanical giant that he intends as a communications device. When Hector lands in trouble, he's rescued by Kyani, a recently orphaned brass dragon. Adventure and a touch of mystery animate this fast-moving, if message-driven, fantasy that affirms the power of friendship and peace.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 4-6 Fans of Mr. Chickee's Funny Money are reunited with the Flint Future Detectives, who find themselves pulled through a mural and into a strange world where Russell must contend with a giant teddy bear to reclaim his dog. A smart-alecky magical dictionary, references to George Clinton lyrics and "Hairy Plodder," and gross-out humor that's actually funny all feature in this literary joyride.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Denys Watkins-Pitchford. An introduction by Julie Andrews opens this edition of the 1942 Carnegie Medal winner, a captivating tale of the last four gnomes in England. Although not every child will appreciate the slow pace and the lyrical descriptive passages, the thoughtful reader will find much to savor in the rich images and careful construction of the gnomes' world.

Reviewer: Terri Schmitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1949

(3) 1-3 Fairy Realm series. Illustrated by Raoul Vitale. Jessie's grandmother's house has a door to the Fairy Realm--Jessie goes to ask the mermaids for rain and to help a gnome save the fairy apple trees from extinction. The compact, well-shaped stories are perfectly sized for early readers, and the strong characterizations (and Vitale's exaggeratedly cute, soft-edged black-and-white art) make them attractive. [Review covers these Fairy Realm titles: The Last Fairy-Apple Tree and The Third Wish.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 In this nearly wordless picture book, a stiff garden gnome, merely another toy for a little girl by day, comes alive at night to tend the garden, befriend living and toy creatures, and escape burial by a dog. Dark watercolors combine realistic detail with close-to-surrealistic intensity. The minimal plot is easy to understand.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Convinced her new baby brother is a changeling, Amanda enlists the assistance of some garden gnomes in exchanging the goblin baby for her real brother. With help from the Queen of the Earth, both girl and goblins learn that kindness and patience are the keys to their quest. Precisely detailed watercolors aptly capture the diminutive otherworld.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute