THE LITTLEST GNOME AND THE FAIRY KING'S GIFT

A gnome’s quest for adventure puts him face to face with a fairy king and a royal curse in this debut children’s book.  

There’s no question that Peter is the smallest of all the gnomes in his village. Residents call him Pipsqueak and ignore him unless they need him to retrieve something in a tiny place only he can squeeze into. Peter wants to be something more and doesn’t think he can do that in his forest home. So he packs his satchel and goes off on his own. The world beyond the woods is filled with scary things that think Peter is food as well as friendly insects the same size as the little gnome. But Peter turns his attention to King Blackthorn, who cursed a farmer’s land after the human cut down the trees where the monarch’s fairy people lived. Peter believes he can convince Blackthorn to lift his curse so the farmer and the fairies will all be happy again. But how can he show the king that the farmer may simply not know the wonder of the fairies’ smaller world? Koenig’s short narrative boasts a compact but vibrant cast, including Benjamin the helpful bumblebee and “sassy” ladybug Laticia. Even Blackthorn is sympathetic, as his anger over the loss of the fairies’ home is understandable. The author breathes life into such visuals as a newly emerged butterfly and the king’s royal attire of a “jewel-encrusted coat” and “exquisite boots.” Likewise, the author’s multicolored sketches throughout the book parade the beauty of insects, winged fairies, and nature’s marvels. Meanwhile, the hero will surely enlighten readers with his compassion and confidence. Peter knows he’s capable of much more than what people see, and he strives to inspire others to believe the same about themselves. While the wrap-up is satisfying, the ending hints that further escapades await the intrepid gnome.

An engaging moral tale as cheerful as it is profound.