The Trouble with Gnomes
What’s inside...
The story follows a young girl named Ellie who discovers a hidden world of gnomes in her backyard. As she befriends them, she must help solve the mystery of their missing magical artifacts to save their world from chaos. In a separate tale, Hettie falls down a sinkhole during a game of hide and seek, and finds herself in a secret underground kingdom of gnomes who think she is a hero destined to save them from an army of monsters. Despite being a normal kid, Hettie is thrust into the role of a hero to help the gnomes.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the gnomes were causing trouble? What do you think they wanted?
How did the characters in the story react to the gnomes' trouble? Would you have reacted in the same way?
What could the characters have done differently to solve their problem with the gnomes?
What did you learn about friendship and teamwork from this story?
If you were in the story, what would you have done to help the characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on the characters’ emotions and actions by asking how they would feel in similar situations.
Discuss the moral of the story and how teamwork and communication can help solve problems.
Relate the story to your child’s personal experiences by asking if they have ever faced a similar ‘trouble’ and how they resolved it.
Praise your child’s responses and build on them, encouraging deeper thinking and connection to the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In the story, characters must work together to solve the problem of mischievous gnomes causing chaos in their garden. Through cooperation, they find a way to peacefully coexist with the gnomes.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or in play, learning to share responsibilities and value the input of their peers.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The main characters encounter a series of challenges posed by the gnomes and must think creatively to resolve these issues without causing harm. This showcases the importance of thinking through problems and finding innovative solutions.
Real-World Application: This can be mirrored in a child’s life when they face conflicts or challenges, teaching them to assess situations and think critically about possible solutions.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of respecting and living harmoniously with nature, as the characters learn to appreciate the gnomes’ place in their garden ecosystem.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be conscious of their environment, promoting actions like recycling, conserving water, or planting trees.
Example Lesson: Embracing Differences
Explanation: The characters learn to accept and embrace the quirky nature of the gnomes despite initial frustrations. This teaches the value of understanding and celebrating differences among individuals.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be open and accepting towards individuals who may appear different from them, fostering inclusivity and empathy in social interactions.