Grumpy Gnome by Peter Wiholm, Illus. Alejandro Segura Baron. Pub. Self published.

All children know what being grumpy is so there is an immediate connection with this superbly written and illustrated picture book.

The old gnome has good reason to be grumpy. His neighbour’s the ducks have driven him out of his mind with their endless quacking but they have a story to tell that is going to make him grumpier. The humans who now occupy the farm that Grumpy Gnome has looked after for years, are making a total pigs ear of it and gnome is going to have to rescue them albeit reluctantly given his mood.

It is a gnome’s job however to clean up in the background without humans knowing but when it is unappreciated this rankles and it rankles with Gnome. He saddles up his large pig and goes to check out the scene but if you want to know how he gets on you will have to read the book yourself. There is a unique way of putting out the fire.

Superbly illustrated by Alejandro Segura Baron who gives the book a filmic quality. Every illustration is filled with detail that children will ponder over. The Gnome is superb and the image of him riding his pig down a snow covered road is one to behold. This image is also on the cover along with the ducks who are very cheeky and proud looking.

The story is well told and begs to be read to children. A beautiful picture book to have in the home and the school library. If you miss this you will kick yourself.