&sq=&lang=&file=File:Wil_Huygen_-_Gnomes.jpeg) English cover | |
| Author | Wil Huygen |
|---|---|
| Original title | Leven en werken van de kabouter |
| Illustrator | Rien Poortvliet |
| Language | Dutch |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Van Holkema & Warendorf |
Publication date | 1976 |
| Publication place | The Netherlands |
Published in English | 1977 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 212 |
| ISBN | 9026949588 |
| OCLC | 4188345 |
| LC Class | PT5881.18.U9 L47 |
| Followed by | The Secret Book of Gnomes |
Gnomes, originally published in Dutch in 1976 as Leven en werken van de kabouter (lit. 'Life and work of the gnomes'[1]), then released in English in 1977, is a fiction book written by Wil Huygen and illustrated by Rien Poortvliet. The book explains the life and habitat of gnomes in an in-universe fashion, much as a biology book would do, complete with illustrations and textbook notes.
The book was well received by critics. Huygen's writing, which mixed physiology with fiction, and Poortvliet's drawings, which used a natural style and watercolor, were both praised. Gnomes sold almost a million units after its first year of being published in the United States. Its financial success led to the creation of several spin-off books about the same fictional creatures, as well as many other products, such as toys, clothing and games.
- ^ Dektar, Joan (6 May 1979). "Keeping up with gnomenclature". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved 1 October 2020.