There's No Place Like Gnome's

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Author(s)
Age Range
4+
Release Date
September 09, 2025
ISBN
978-0593691229
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A new picture book by bestselling illustrator Scott Magoon that is a loving example of a community supporting each other, even in the face of unprecedented circumstances.

Meet Gnome.

He isn't your garden-variety garden gnome. He runs a small hotel for animals, and he works very hard at it. He spends his days fluffing, filing, and feeding the hotel's fountain fish. And his hard work was finally paying off! His hotel had become a place for small animals to stay for a night or two, and all the guests agreed that there was no place like Gnome's.

But then the humans went too far and destroyed the forest that the bigger animals called home, so everyone went to Gnome's. He wanted to turn the bigger animals away, but where else would they go? So Gnome found a way to make room for everyone, despite the hotel being a little cramped.

But when disaster strikes and damages the hotel, the guests are forced to find a new shelter. Gnome worries that all hope is lost until an unlikely guest encourages him to rebuild so that he can once again fluff, file, feed the fountain fish, and welcome guests back to Gnome's.

Editor review

1 review
Gnome's Hotel is the Best for Animals!
(Updated: June 04, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.5
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
This is the story of how one gnome's dream becomes a safe haven for all. Or, in many more words, how Gnome's hotel faces it's biggest challenge when deforestation drives all of the local animals to seek sanctuary in a place not meant for extended stays, and how some kindly elves, friendship, and an open heart help the community rebuild after disaster.

It's an all new, quirky little fairy tale, where every little detail just makes sense, because of course the animals enjoy silent disco parties, or the elves have magic acorns. Gnome is a bit of a fastidious proprietor, with valid concerns about having guests stay for too long, or whether various species can all be there at once without the predator/prey relationships becoming dangerous. This demeanor adds humor to the tale, as well as some extra sweetness when he opens the new and improved Gnome's to all animals, including the pesky birds. The illustrations perfectly capture the charm of Gnome and his pals, the sudden devastation created by humans developing the former wilderness, and the overabundant regrowth that they all celebrate, proving that community and magic acorns can weather any calamity.

Stick this on the shelf between fairytales and The Wump World.
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