Madeleine

Can y’all believe that we are still milking posts from that baby’s birthday party a few weeks ago?

Well, we are.

We had to give little Madeleine a gift worthy of a woodland themed first birthday.

Like the Gnome Book that was my absolute favorite as a child…

I devoured every inch of this book when I was a kid, so much so that it literally fell apart,

It did.

This is my second copy,

and, as y’all can see…….my new one is a little ~~worn~~ well-loved too.

For more than 35 years this beautifully illustrated book has brought joy and wonder to readers of all ages.

This delightful Dutch book was first published in Holland in 1976, and translated for the English-speaking market in 1977. It was an immediate hit. (It’s a little know fact that it was Martha Stewart’s husband, Andy, who was the publisher responsible for bringing the book to American audiences.) Writer Wil Huygen and illustrator Rien Poortvliet perfectly document the gnome population living in Holland at the time. They cover all areas of gnome culture: architecture, education, courtship, medicine, industry, and even relationships with other mythical creatures.

I can’t emphasize enough just how much artistry went into every corner of this book. But it isn’t just the illustrations, the attention to detail in imagining this complete world of wood gnomes is absolutely heart warming.

See for yourselves……

When I was a boy, I made an exact replica of this house out of cardboard and balsa wood scaled to the gnome Christmas ornaments we had. (Still have those ornaments, BTW)

Order one for yourself, or someone special, today.

There’s a deluxe edition that was released in 2011 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the book….but its iconic cover has been replaced with single, laughing, pointing gnome.

I prefer the original….

Find that version here.

Yes, we realize that Madeleine is only a year old ……… and this book may be a bit advanced for her right now. But one day she will be old enough to discover this book……

…..and will no doubt, love it as much as I do.

I’m pretty sure that y’all will too.