Gob the Gnome: The Gnome and the Science Experiment by Marilyn Slaughter
Illustrator: Angel Neha
Children’s Book
Date Published: March 6, 2024
Publisher: Mindstir Media
This short story is about Nathan’s adventures during a 5th grade science field trip to the Sunbrook Forest National Park. Nathan is familiar with the park because he and his sister Iris has visited the park before with the encouragement of their mom. Nathan overcomes some anxieties of not liking the subject science, having to buddy with the 5th grade bully, and worrying about other 5th graders, teachers and volunteers might see Gob the gnome and cause problems for Gob and the park. By the end of the science fieldtrip Nathan has built a level of confidence that he could make the best science presentation in his classroom and together with the 5th grade bully develop a monthly ‘Clean the Park’ project where he and his classmates join to clean up the forest. a mother wanting her children to enjoy the outdoors. Nathan meets an interesting park ranger who later become very instrumental in his interest in science, the environment and his future career plan after high school.
Since the 1400s, folklore has described gnomes as guardians of treasure and the protectors of Earth. Gnomes represents stability, growth, and good luck.
This is the third book of the six-book series about Gob the gnome. The six books in this series all revolve around a gnome, the protector of a local forest, who becomes friends with Nathan and Iris and helps to educate them on the importance of caring for the environment.
Julie’s Review:
I loved the first Gob the Gnome book I read, Gob the Gnome and the Seedlings, so I had to read this one as well.
I enjoyed how Gob the Gnome and his friend Mera the Mermaid teach the kids about taking care of the park and the living creatures in it. They talk about how harmful littering in the lake is to plant and animal life and how important the lake is to the forest. This is definitely an important topic to have kids absorb.
The illustrations are beautifully done and so vivid. The colors and detail stand out and make the book so visually appealing to read and share with children. The children in the classroom are drawn diversely and inclusively. Though, sometimes, the facial expressions and hands look odd.
My criticism would be why did the boy narrating have to comment on the appearance of the “tall, slim, muscular body” of the park ranger? Not sure how that is appropriate or necessary for an elementary school book.
I enjoyed the way the boys worked together, especially the bully, to turn around his careless littering and actually want to continually help the park. There’s some good character development for the kids to learn.
A glossary is also in the back to help kids learn new vocabulary introduced in the book.
About the Author
Marilyn Slaughter is an educator with experience teaching second through fifth grades, middle school science, and social studies. She now spends time authoring books for children and adults for engagement, learning, and entertainment. Marilyn’s first six books are a set with the theme of children, with their families enjoying the outdoors; and with teachers and classmates learning about the environment. The children are introduced to a magical and mythical being in the forest and they work to save the local forest. Her goal is to provide a fun read with an entertaining way for children to learn about science.
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