Denys Watkins-Pitchford Quotes

“The last four gnomes in Great Britain live beside Folly Brook in Warwickshire; they are named after the flowers Baldmoney, Sneezewort, Dodder and Cloudberry.”

“After Cloudberry goes exploring one day and does not return, the others make the tremendous decision to build a boat, the Dragonfly, and set out to find him.”

“This is the story of the gnomes’ epic journey, set against the background of the English countryside, beginning in spring, continuing through summer, and concluding in autumn, when the first frosts are starting to arrive.”

“Dodder is the oldest and grumpiest gnome, and the leader of the group. He is a skilled fisherman and has a leg made from bone as the result of an attack by a fox.”

“Baldmoney acts as the navigator and mechanic on the gnomes’ boat Jeanie Deans, and later invented a glider named Wonderbird.”

“Sneezewort is the youngest, most sensitive gnome who follows the lead of his older brothers and is usually assigned the less interesting tasks such as cooking and cleaning.”

“Cloudberry is a boastful and rebellious loner who often leaves the group to explore the forest. He is on good terms with the greylag geese of Spitzbergen known as the hounds of heaven.”

“Squirrel is the gnomes’ friend who accompanies them on their adventures. Ben is an owl who provides the gnomes with mouse skins for clothing.”

“Mr Shoebottom is an alcoholic petrol station owner who repairs the gnomes’ boat after it is discovered by his son. The Farmer is Nanny Goat’s owner. In Down The Bright Stream, Baldmoney uses his best Sunday shirt to build Wonderbird.”

“The four gnomes are forced to leave their home after it is damaged by flooding. Using their clockwork boat the Jeanie Deans, and later a flying machine named Wonderbird, they travel to Ireland and colonise a ruined chapel surrounded by a loch.”