Santa, Please Bring Me a Gnome by An Swerts Illustrator: Eline Lindenhuizen
Published by Clavis on September 15, 2017
Source: NetGalley
Genres: Childrens, Christmas, Picture Book
Pages: 32
Format: eARC
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Dear Santa... That's how Tess starts her letter. You don't have to bring me any toys this year. The only thing I want is a real gnome. Full of anticipation, Tess looks forward to the day her new friend arrives: a friend she can take everywhere, and with whom she can share everything. With Grandpa and Grandma's help, she gets everything ready. Grandpa builds little pieces of furniture, Grandma sews a little blanket, and Tess prepares a welcome meal. And then it's finally Christmas Eve ... Will Santa bring a real gnome?
A heartwarming picture book with wonderfully funny illustrations.
Santa, Please Bring Me a Gnome is a sweet little Christmas story. I love how Tess’ grandparents play along, building furniture and making a blanket for the gnome that Santa will surely bring. Of course, Santa doesn’t bring a gnome, but he does bring a darling little hamster who needs a home. And the becomes her best friend of course.
The illustrations are sweet and gentle, like the cover. It would be a nice read to book to share with kids. But I’m not a big fan of animals as Christmas presents. It made for a heart-warming ending here, but animals, even hamsters, are a big commitment not something to buy on impulse because your daughter is expecting a gnome on Christmas. But kids won’t look at it that way, they’ll just enjoy the story and maybe ask for a gnome or hamster of their own.
About An Swerts
An Swerts (1973) grew up in Geel, Belgium. After studying pharmacy she taught at the college for lab assistants and dieticians. Then she could no longer deny she was drawn to journalism. In 2007 she graduated from the Advanced Academic Education of Journalism (Lessius College). Her final paper was turned into a book. An worked for Clavis Publishing for a while. Today she spends most of her time on journalism and writing. Picture books, though, are her biggest passion: “I don’t know where my passion for picture books came from; I’ve loved them ever since I was a little girl and that feeling stayed with me when I became an adult.”
Sounds like a good book and one that kids would love.
I think you kids would like it. It’s cute.
I know what you mean about animals as gifts. Still, this sounds like a sweet story.
I twas. Maybe I just remember the hamsters we had. One was sweet as anything and one was just nasty.
Aww adorbs. Wants
I used to love kids books when Amber was little.