THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE GNOME by Scott Magoon (picture book)

4 stars

Gnome (who dresses like Santa) runs a quaint, welcoming forest hotel for small animals. Gnome welcomes all except for birds, who he considers too messy due to their droppings on his roof.

But when greedy humans strip down a forest for wood, all of the animals have nowhere to go, from butterflies to moose. After they all promise not to attack one another, Gnome throws open his doors to all. That is, until a storm wrecks his hotel. The animals flee, but some get taken (ominously so) by animal control.

Along come magical elves who plant a special acorn that becomes a huge tree. Moved, Gnome call other Gnomes to help him rebuild his hotel around the base of the huge tree and welcomes all to stay again including the birds.

A touching tribute to what it means to have shelter, and the building of communal ties around a home.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.