Good Night, Garden Gnome [Hardcover]

Jamichael Henterly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001 | Age Level: 4 and up

Depicts a gnome at work and play in his garden.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-A lush, bountiful garden is the setting for this almost wordless fantasy about the adventures of an ornamental statuette. With her dolls and stuffed animals in tow, a girl spies the gnome and adds him to her brood, but doesn't notice when a small bear tumbles from her red wagon. After an enjoyable day, the child replaces the lawn statue and takes her playthings home. At dusk, when the stars appear in the night sky, the gnome comes to life, tending the garden and caring for the animals that venture out after dark. Upon discovering the lost bear, he delivers him, at great risk, to the child's bedroom windowsill. Vivid watercolor illustrations, predominantly of intense greens, depict plush, velvety animals reminiscent of Jane Hissey's creatures, and lavish nature close-ups with every veined leaf and blade of grass clearly delineated. The pastoral scenes play host to a variety of wildlife, including birds, slugs, mice, rabbits, and an inquisitive caterpillar that appears in the majority of paintings. A magical tale of an enchanted garden.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; First Edition edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803725310
• ISBN-13: 978-0803725317
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,124,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Instant Classic of Children's Garden Literature, October 4, 2001

By 

brainiacbooks (Staten Island, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good Night, Garden Gnome (Hardcover)

Although this is a story without words (except the "Good night, Garden Gnome" that divides the 2 parts of the story), it deserves a place in the pantheon of the best of children's garden literature. Henterly's rich, detailed, and deeply saturated watercolor paintings fill each page, sometimes in a 2-page spread. The narrative has drama, comedy, pathos, and a supernatural slant that captures the garden as a place of magic. The Garden Gnome has a great work ethic; he smiles through his labors. He's obviously filled with love as he aids all the garden creatures of the night, saves a lost teddy bear, and suffers various humorous indignities. I bought this book for my little niece, but I'll have to keep it for myself and buy her another copy. I think I would encourage little children to tell their own version of the story aloud as they turn the pages -- to switch places and "read" it to whomever usually reads them their stories. You'll never pass a garden gnome again without smiling to yourself!

5.0 out of 5 stars free-form fun, February 14, 2010

By 

Catherine Reynolds "childcare extraordinaire" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Good Night, Garden Gnome (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book with no words but excellent illustrations. The pictures follow a garden gnome though his day of being dragged around by a little girl. He gets a bath in the bird bath and put in a pink frilly dress, among other things. Then at night, he comes to life and helps to take care of the garden and the little girl. He brings back her teddy, which she lost in the garden. There are a ton of little things to find on each page; the one I remember best is a little worm. The kids I "read" this with love to point out the "wormie." It's also nice to be able to make up your own story to go with the pictures. It's a great book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of character and beauty, November 28, 2003

By 

Lu (seattle, wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good Night, Garden Gnome (Hardcover)

Books that have no words are rare but a real treasure as they allow the child's (and adults!) imagination to flourish. This book also has lively, vibrant illustrations. All the characters are portrayed gently with compassion and tenderness. We have also found this book to hold some humorous elements, as well. Really an unusual, fun book to share with a child. My toddler loves it.