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Matt McAvoy
This was a great kids’ book, with super illustrations filling the bleed of every page beautifully – though I have to admit that it took me aback a little, around the halfway mark, with the direction it took. Opening with the lives of a group of mischievous, naughty little creatures, it then turned into an unexpected and actually somewhat horrifying cautionary tale – as such nursery rhymes are wont to do – and in fairness, having not read the blurb, I wasn’t expecting such a tough life warning. It must be hard being a pre-schooler in any time – only as an adult, when looking back, do you realize just how much of what you are being taught is a pre-emptive reprimand. It actually makes me feel almost sorry for them.
This particular lesson is about the fantastical consequences of lying; like Pinocchio, you’ll pay dearly for doing so and disrespecting your parents in the process; specifically, in this case, you’ll turn into a gnome and end up trapped in Fibberton, doing chores. Until the midway point, I thought it was just a fun little jaunt with some clumsy critters!
It is actually a lot of fun, despite my tone; I don’t want to give the impression it is all serious. It is a great book to read to your little ones, particularly at bedtime, and should keep both them and you entertained for a while, as you explain to them the moral of this fable. Like all good cautionary nursery rhymes, it is timeless, reminiscent of the many which apply just as much in contemporary society as that in which they were written, sometimes centuries ago; there is nothing which specifically applies this offering to today’s world – which is truly something to be thankful for, in these times of forced messaging into young minds. This is didactic storytelling with the innocence it always traditionally has had and should have. It is also very enjoyable to read and, as mentioned, the illustrations are top-drawer, and should definitely keep the kids entertained.
It’s hard to critically review kids’ storytime books without coming across as a grown-up grinch, but to be honest books like this wonderful offering from Becky Bell give you so much food for thought, whilst also making it so easy to recommend them. As good a bedtime children’s read as you are likely to find – particularly if you like to combine your shared funtime with the important stuff.
https://www.mattmcavoy.com/my-blog/-the-gnomes-of-fibberton-by-becky-bell
The Gnomes of Fibberton by Becky Bell is a quirky and imaginative tale about a hidden world beneath the surface of everyday life. In this underground realm, the grouchy Gnomes of Fibberton keep a watchful eye on the lies and fibs that children tell. Each child is given a secret number at birth, the number of lies they can tell before the gnomes come for them, dragging them down to Fibberton to live out their days as gnomes, doing endless chores and collecting fibs. The story combines humor and a slightly eerie undertone to deliver a cautionary message about honesty.
I found the writing style to be both charming and eerie in a way that reminded me of old fairy tales. Bell’s rhythmic, almost sing-song writing pulls you into Fibberton from the very first page. The descriptions of the gnome’s world are vivid, who wouldn’t shudder at a place where “the air smells like sweaty feet” and “there is never a comfortable seat to be found?” That sense of discomfort really hits home the moral of the story in a fun yet slightly unnerving way, which works well for a children’s book that’s meant to stick with you.
The repeated phrases, like the gnomes’ off-tempo song, add a playful cadence that makes you feel like you’re hearing the story spoken aloud. What really stood out, though, was the creativity of the world-building. The idea that gnomes keep track of lies like little treasures and come for you when you reach your limit is wildly inventive. The small details, like gnomes hiding in smelly shoes or cookie jars, give the whole story a playful, mischievous tone that keeps it from feeling too dark. And, of course, the illustrations by Khan beautifully complement the writing. The depiction of Fibberton and its gloomy atmosphere adds a visual depth that enhances the creepiness and charm of the gnomes’ world.
The Gnomes of Fibberton is a fun and imaginative read that blends humor with a moral lesson. It’s perfect for kids who love a slightly spooky story with an edge, though it might be a bit intense for younger or more sensitive readers. I’d recommend it to parents looking for a creative way to talk about honesty, as well as to kids who enjoy quirky, offbeat stories with a dash of the bizarre.
https://literarytitan.com/2024/10/02/the-gnomes-of-fibberton/
Mia C.
The Gnomes of Fibberton is a whimsical yet slightly eerie tale about a hidden world of gnomes who secretly collect lies from children. These grumpy little creatures live in the dreary underground land of Fibberton and keep track of each fib told by a child. Once a child reaches their predetermined "fib limit," the gnomes come to take them away to live in Fibberton, where they spend their days doing endless chores and collecting fibs from others.
The book's illustrations, along with rhythmic text, bring this quirky and cautionary tale to life. Author Becky Bell’s writing has a rhythm that’s playful yet dark. Bell paints a vivid picture of a land that is forever too hot or too cold, where nothing feels pleasant, and everything smells like sweaty feet. The contrast between the lighthearted rhyme scheme and the underlying message about lying makes the story engaging, though a bit unsettling at times. The concept of fibs as "tiny, awful treasures" that the gnomes greedily collect is clever, and it’s where Bell's creativity really shines. One part that stood out to me is when Bell describes how the gnomes sneak about and hide in odd places, like smelly shoes or cookie jars. This, paired with illustrator Aadil Khan’s slightly offbeat illustrations, gives the gnomes a mischievous quality that I loved. The story plays on that childhood worry that someone is always watching, waiting for you to slip up.
The Gnomes of Fibberton is a quirky and imaginative children’s book that uses humor and a bit of fear to drive home the importance of telling the truth. I think it would be perfect for kids who enjoy stories with a touch of weirdness and a moral lesson wrapped in a fantastical world.
The Gnomes of Fibberton by Becky Bell is a quirky and imaginative tale about a hidden world beneath the surface of everyday life. In this underground realm, the grouchy Gnomes of Fibberton keep a watchful eye on the lies and fibs that children tell. Each child is given a secret number at birth, the number of lies they can tell before the gnomes come for them, dragging them down to Fibberton to live out their days as gnomes, doing endless chores and collecting fibs. The story combines humor and a slightly eerie undertone to deliver a cautionary message about honesty.
I found the writing style to be both charming and eerie in a way that reminded me of old fairy tales. Bell’s rhythmic, almost sing-song writing pulls you into Fibberton from the very first page. The descriptions of the gnome’s world are vivid, who wouldn’t shudder at a place where “the air smells like sweaty feet” and “there is never a comfortable seat to be found?" That sense of discomfort really hits home the moral of the story in a fun yet slightly unnerving way, which works well for a children’s book that’s meant to stick with you. The repeated phrases, like the gnomes’ off-tempo song, add a playful cadence that makes you feel like you’re hearing the story spoken aloud. What really stood out, though, was the creativity of the world-building. The idea that gnomes keep track of lies like little treasures and come for you when you reach your limit is wildly inventive. The small details, like gnomes hiding in smelly shoes or cookie jars, give the whole story a playful, mischievous tone that keeps it from feeling too dark. And, of course, the illustrations by Khan beautifully complement the writing. The depiction of Fibberton and its gloomy atmosphere adds a visual depth that enhances the creepiness and charm of the gnomes’ world.
The Gnomes of Fibberton is a fun and imaginative read that blends humor with a moral lesson. It’s perfect for kids who love a slightly spooky story with an edge, though it might be a bit intense for younger or more sensitive readers. I’d recommend it to parents looking for a creative way to talk about honesty, as well as to kids who enjoy quirky, offbeat stories with a dash of the bizarre.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216418389-the-gnomes-of-fibberton
