Secrets of the Gnomes

by Rien Poortvliet, Wil Huygen

Follow up to the beloved international best seller, Gnomes. Secret of the Gnomes further explores the world of Gnomes.

Genres: Fantasy, Art, Fiction, Childrens, Folklore, Humor, Picture Books

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Traveller]

These little gnomes are quite similar to British gnomes and brownies, however, they are more industrious and helpful.

These are excellent books for children; (and definitely the kind you'd keep into adulthood).

Inbetween little folktales and self-made-up stories about the fey folk, the authors pop in some general knowledge stuff, like for instance botany, biology and geology and little projects of things the gnomes make to try out yourself (especially if you're a children), with snippets of knowledge about all kinds of things, some as far afield as the Egyptian pyramids, and a nice lesson on useful knots. (Yes, as in knots that you tie in a rope.)

So, some useful and interesting stuff in there even if you aren't a children.

All of it demonstrated with cute and appealing illustrations.

EDIT: It has just been brought to my attention, that what I have, is part of the original 28 volume set that was published in the 1980's.

These volumes have been republished (possibly with some of the material excluded) in one large edition, The Complete Gnomes.

Paquita Maria Sanchez wrote a cool, beautifully illustrated review on these interesting li'l creatures:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Paquita Maria has the copy that I accidentally chose to review, thinking it was the same as the 28 volume set, but apparently the single hardcover volume featured here, doesn't contain a lot of the features that would appeal to kids, that are contained in the 28 volume set reviewed above.

I won't remove this review, since there are already comments made in the thread below, but please take note that these are not exactly the same books.

The cuteness and the 5 star rating still applies, nevertheless.

[Chantal]

Always wanted to read this book, but growing up it was to expensive. Until I found it in the thriftstore. Loved the story, learned a lot. Great drawings and I hope I find another book of Rien poortvliet soon.

[Suzanne]

A sequel to their best-selling “Gnomes” this beautifully illustrated book describes the adventures of the authors in studying gnomes. Magically after a meal of mushrooms, the authors become gnomes themselves which makes their observations even more fun. The detail in the illustrations are remarkable and will engage readers of every age.

[Grada (BoekenTrol)]

Again I loved the drawings in this book. The text too, but to me that was not the most important. At the time that I read it, this book openened new worlds to me, not only the gnome world, but also worlds as in other countries.
I was very scared by the very realistic drawings of the trolls, but the interesting things: how gnomes live, what they do, how they dress, differences between gnomes in different parts of the world made that less. And, after reading it many times, I already knew when the trolls would be next, so I could skip the pages.

[Tonari]

E' ormai perso in qualche meandro di casa dei miei, in attesa di tornare alla luce quando meno lo si aspetta.

Letto ormai parecchi anni fa me lo ricordo comunque come una lettura piacevolissima: �� l'avventura di due uomini tramutatisi in gnomi che studiano da vicino le abitudini, i costumi e gli strumenti di questo curioso popolo, compilando una sorta di vademecum. Il finale forse �� un po' troppo moraleggiante, ma ci si pu�� passare sopra.
Molto belle le immagini, un libro consigliato (da leggere magari sotto Natale, periodo in cui si svolge la vicenda).

[Sam Fletcher]

A wonderful book for anyone interested in Gnomes and how they work. The book is worth reading for the art alone. The pictures are absolutely beautiful. The reason I only gave it 4 stars and not 5 is that some of the art shows nudity which makes it questionable for little kids though the story would be loved by them otherwise.

[Merel]

Heerlijk boek op deze grauwe winterdag. De waarschuwing is wat naïef (en natuurlijk gedateerd)― er is geen gehoor gegeven aan de onontbeerlijke 'oproep' en nimmer zal dit gebeuren― desalniettemin is dit boek vol prachtige prenten een fijne toevlucht en bron van inspiratie en, ondanks de ellendige realiteit, ook motivatie.

[Diana]

Ofschoon het boek voor kinderen lijkt te zijn bedoeld komt ook bij volwassen de boodschap over die kabouters voor de mensheid hebben. Dat is feitelijk de opdracht die de beide samenstellers van het boek van de kabouters meekrijgen, de serieus bedoelde Oproep dus vanuit de kabouterwereld. Stop milieuvervuiling en natuurvernietiging en ga leven op een duurzame manier! De menselijk levenswijze waarbij veel grondstoffen en energie wordt verspild moet zo snel mogelijk werden ingeruild voor een milieubewuste wereldsamenleving. De toekomst van leven op aarde staat op het spel.

[BRNTerri]

This book was terrible and definitely not meant for children. It can't hold a candle to Gnomes and hasn't got the charm of Gnomes either. In the book both authors go on a journey all over the place, meeting a few different people and different animals. There's illustrations of gnomes from other countries. They even stay with a family and the men offer to let the men sleep with their wives! Here's a photo of Wil in bed with one of them. There are many topless female gnomes, including one where you can see a bit of pubic hair. WTF?

See my review for the prequel to this, Gnomes, here.

[Suze Geuke]

deel twee van rien poortvliet! ohhhhh ik zou iedereen dit boek willen aansmeren! prachtige prenten en spitsvondige toespelingen op bestaande sprookjes en hoe ze zich zo een andere kijk op het leven aanmeten! kan menigeen van leren! en dat probeerde ik ook! ik denk dat dit een (of twee dan) van die boeken is die je niet meer loslaat. ja. echt onwijs onwijs onwijs leuk om door te neuzen.

[Archaic Worlds]

I try to avoid fanciful Victorian chapbook renditions of the Faé or Noumenal and stay rather to high, archaic lore on such - ever once reinstancializing - aeonic realms; but this was such a lovely book for me as a child. I just had to rate it as a great book.

[Finestrelle2020]

Secondo volume dei "creatori" dello gnomo moderno. Rispetto al primo volume c'è più avventura e meno analisi tecnica, con qualche debolezza nella trama e con le schede di analisi inserite in modo un po' casuale, slegate dal contesto. Bello, quindi, ma non un capolavoro come il primo volume.

[Jenny Wilson-Welder]

Did not age well. Cute ideas in the first book, and some carried through in this, however, the racist names cannot be tolerated.

[Sirena]

Yes, if you grew up watching the David and the Gnomes cartoon in the late 80s/ early 90s.

No, if you would be shocked by illustrated nudity and sexually suggestive positions.

I bought this book because I saw it in a bookstore, and as a child, I watched the animated show. I feel a little creeped out about how this is marketed to children, but it has nudity and some sexually ambiguous positions the female gnomes get into.

This was clearly illustrated with the male gaze in mind. I am even more creeped out by the narrators being old white men. I understand this was illustrated in the 70s, but in 2026, its just weird.

The story was okay, but drawn out. The art is beautiful, even with sexually suggestive illustrations. I'm not a prude by any means, I just feel uncomfortable that this is in a children's book.

[Sanne]

Tijdens het lezen kwam ik er al snel achter dat dit een vervolg is op Leven en Werken van de Kabouter. Dom. Had ik moeten weten. Ken uw klassiekers!
Ik had ‘m aan de kant moeten leggen en eerst deel 1 gaan lezen, maar het lukte me niet! Wat een fascinerende wezens zijn het toch! Ik ben ontzettend jaloers op de makers van dit boek. Wat een ongelofelijk voorrecht om dat allemaal van dichtbij mee te mogen maken. Ik ben de makers dankbaar voor hun boeiende verslag. En ik ga gauw opzoek naar deel 1.

[Oshin Desu]

Very breathtaking illustrations! I don't really into the story, there are so many facts about animals, surviving in nature, and magical creatures beside gnomes! I want to collect All of the Rien Poortvliet works!

[Dyslexic Bookmonster]

The art of Rien Poortvliet is really an important part of children's stories in the 20th century. At least, that is what I often hear people say.

And I too love the lore behind his art and stories. The combination it very gripping. Though not everyone is a fan of Poortvliet's art.

[Iiju]

Täydellinen.

[Krk]

The art is really nice and the story, for the most part, enjoyable. I was thrown off by the random references to Christian lore.

[Vera]

❤❤❤❤❤

[Mar]

Poortvliet and Huygen go to Northern countries--Finland/Sweden (Lapland) to learn more about the Gnomes found there. Again, beautiful artwork.

[Trish]

This is a neat book about gnomes.

[Logan Wilton]

This book is now a family heirloom and one I will cherish will all of my heart forever.

[Rachel]

I don't know what's with the preachiness near the end of the book but otherwise it was ok.

[Tina]

Charming discoveries abound in this second volume about the gnomes, their diet, their pastimes, and their adventures.

[Melanie]

Interesting story and lovely artwork.

[David]

Lekker ouderwets geschreven met prachtige illustraties!

[Mauri]

In summary: “We meant what we said in the first book about environmental damage, but we apologize for what we said about the Russians. Have some more titties.”

[Reading with Cats]

Way more boobs than I was expecting (which was zero, btw…I expected zero boobs in a book about gnomes). And, of course, mostly only the women are shown in a state of undress.
2.5 stars

[Anouk]

5 sterren uit pure nostalgie geen discussie