The Guarding Gnome (Hardcover)

A little backyard story with a lot of heart!

It’s time for the gnome in Sophie’s garden to try something new. He’s been sitting under the same tree for years, dreaming about being brave and helpful - a guard-ING gnome, not a gard-EN gnome.

But when he and Sophie go looking for the perfect adventure, they find it in the last place they expect…

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This a story primarily for 3 to 6 year-olds, though parents and older kids will enjoy the wordplay and the central message about the big changes that can come from a small shift in perspective. The classic, hand-painted storybook artwork is packed with details which reward re-reads, including plenty of Aussie backyard critters to spot and a cheeky cat hiding on each page.

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About the author:

Alexander Thorpe is the author of cozy mysteries 'Death Leaves the Station' (2020) and 'Death Holds the Key' (2024), both published by Fremantle Press. He was shortlisted for the WA Premier's Prize in 2025. This is his first book for children.

About the illustrator:

Brooke Bobridge is an illustrator and designer whose work has featured everywhere from the pages of Frankie Magazine to the streets of Hong Kong. She holds degrees in Fine Art and Design from Curtin University and works with animal sanctuaries and welfare associations wherever she can find them. This is her first book for children.

Book details:

Pages: 32pp
Size: 287mmx210mm
ISBN: 978 1 7641141 1 0