By Wil Huygen
Illustrated by Rien Poortvliet
English translation published in 1977.
“To my amazement I have heard that there are people who have never seen a gnome. I can’t help pitying these people. I am certain there must be something wrong with their eyesight.”
~Axel Munthe
This book was first published in English in 1977 when I was
eleven years old; old enough to discern
the difference between fact and fiction, yet young enough (as I still am) to
imagine that the worlds of fantasy and truth somehow coexist.
I had always loved my dollhouse, made for me by my parents
from what was previously a television
cabinet my Dad had made. I imagined a real
family living in it as I rearranged the furniture and made accessories for the
tiny occupants.
It was no wonder, then, that when I first laid eyes on this
book I could fathom a world where these little human-like creatures quietly
roam.
This book is designed as a comprehensive guide to a gnome’s
life: his family, eating habits, work, hobbies, and how he raises his
children. As a child, I was occupied for hours by the detailed drawings . The convincing text
made the lines between fantasy and reality blur. I recall studying the diagram of the typical
woodland gnome’s home under a tree and mentally deciding how I would arrange my
own little gnome house.
I was envious of the gnomes’ close relationships with the
natural world. They can, of course,
communicate with wild animals, and often work cooperatively with the animals to
survive in the elements.
Lately, while browsing the internet, I’ve seen some
captivating photos of “fairy houses” that people have created in their
gardens. This has inspired me to create
my own little home under a tree for a garden gnome or fairy to
inhabit. With a little help (thanks,
Mike) I’ve used some found and natural materials to create this little habitat. Here are a couple of photos.
Can you imagine some little beings moving in? Why not? With a little imagination, you can envision anything!
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