Secrets of the Gnomes, by Rien Poortvliet & Wil Huygen

Secrets of the Gnomes, by Rien Poortvliet & Wil Huygen. 1982 hardcover. 200 pages, very nice condition.

This companion volume to the classic bestselling Gnomes takes you on a journey through lush forests, mystical gardens, and cozy underground homes, revealing the fascinating lives of these elusive creatures. The 200 hand-illustrated pages overflow with the authors’ on-the-scene sketches and firsthand observations. Includes - Detailed Illustrations: Beautifully crafted images that bring the gnomes' world to life. Intriguing Stories: Tales of gnome adventures, wisdom, and folklore. Gnome Lore: Insights into gnome culture, habits, and their unique way of life.

In Secrets of the Gnomes, authors Poortvliet and Huygen are invited as more than mere observers. After a meal of mushrooms and cream (which tastes as if it were made of “everything that light, air, sun, moon, and earth could produce”), they find that they have been turned into gnomes themselves. The authors learn of the tender emotional life of a gnome; they see and diagram the mechanics of ingenious gnome technology; they observe how gnomes administer justice in the wild; they are told how fairy tales first began (Little Red Riding Hood was actually a gnome!); and, best of all, they are allowed to see parts of the gnomes’ fabled Secret Book.