No, No, Gnome!

by Ashlyn Anstee, Ashlyn Anstee (Illustrator)

Overview

For fans of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and No, David! comes a tale about a very small gnome who has some very big ideas about the school garden.

Gnome cannot wait to help his friends harvest the school garden! But his eagerness and excitement get him into trouble, leaving them all saying, “No, no, Gnome!”

The author/illustrator of Are We There, Yeti? delivers a sweet new picture book starring a loveable little hero who has a whole lot of energy...and heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481430913
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	02/09/2016
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	407,107
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	490L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Ashlyn Anstee grew up in Vancouver, studied in Toronto, and then settled in Los Angeles. A graduate of Sheridan College, she works as a story artist and animator in the animation industry. In her spare time, she makes short films and pats cats. She is the author/illustrator of Are We There, Yeti? and No, No, Gnome! To see more of her work, visit AshlynA.com.

Ashlyn Anstee grew up in Vancouver, studied in Toronto, and then settled in Los Angeles. A graduate of Sheridan College, she works as a story artist and animator in the animation industry. In her spare time, she makes short films and pats cats. She is the author/illustrator of Are We There, Yeti? and No, No, Gnome! To see more of her work, visit AshlynA.com.

Editorial Reviews

11/02/2015
The classroom garden is ready for harvest, and everyone is excited—especially Gnome, a garden gnome who could have easily wandered in from a vintage Golden Book. But the class’s communal spirits falter as it becomes clear that Gnome has almost zero impulse control. After making a mess of the garden beds and spraying his unamused classmates with the hose, Gnome reaps what he sows: “At recess, no one would play with him. And at the end of the day, no one said good-bye.” Suddenly Gnome is a lot more sympathetic, but Anstee (Are We There, Yeti?) emphasizes that apologies, however heartfelt, won’t be enough; the only way to repair the social fabric is for Gnome to roll up his sleeves and get the garden looking gorgeous again. While the story doesn’t plumb great emotional depths, Anstee’s bright, retro illustrations effectively convey what’s both funny and wrong when Gnome goes wild. And most children will know a Gnome—or know that they’re capable of Gnome-like behavior from time to time. Ages 4–8. Agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

12/01/2015
PreS-Gr 1—Gnome is excitable, particularly when it comes to the garden he and his fellow students at Greenthumb Elementary have been growing. When Gnome is assigned to weed, he pulls up too many plants. He is assigned to water but plays with the hose. He is supposed to stand still and hold a basket but chases animals all around the garden and is sent inside for his misbehavior, where he is shunned for the rest of the day. Feeling regretful, Gnome finds a thoughtful way to undo all of the problems he has caused, and the class is able to have a successful harvest. Anstee's gouache and Photoshop illustrations are full of color, energy, and life. Young children will appreciate the humor in this story and will chime in on the "No, no, Gnome!" refrain. VERDICT A charming book for storytime and a general purchase.—Liz Anderson, DC Public Library

School Library Journal

2015-11-03
It's time to harvest the school garden, and a young gnome has difficulty controlling his excitement. The class at Greenthumb Elementary is decidedly diverse. Not only do the children display a variety of skin tones, there are also a few anthropomorphic rabbit students (also apparently of different ethnicities), plus…one gnome. The white-bearded youngster has a bulbous nose, huge smile, and unbridled enthusiasm. So much so, in fact, that he wreaks havoc on the garden. Mr. Waters first instructs Gnome to pull weeds. But soon his eagerness takes over, and he uncontrollably begins ripping everything from the ground, crops included. This causes the students to cry out in dismay, "No, no, Gnome!" (an all-too-familiar refrain for them). By the time Gnome's bursts of energy are finally calmed, the garden is in ruins. The other students droop as dejectedly as the tattered plants. No one wants to speak to Gnome. He must figure out a way to earn their forgiveness. In a solution that encourages readers to repair their mistakes (even if it's a bit unrealistic that a whole garden could be fixed in a single afternoon), Gnome's smile shines brightly again. The warm, gouache illustrations showcase a bountiful harvest of produce and friendship. A lighthearted glimpse into a hyperactive, impulsive tot's world and a possible learning tool to encourage social-emotional growth. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews