Reviewer: Sharon Brunner
Mary Jane Welch’s and Meghan Bjork’s There’s Gnome Place Like Marquette offers a delightful tour of the interesting sights associated with Marquette, Michigan, an Upper Peninsula of Michigan (U.P.) community. The main characters are a Gnome, a deer, and an owl. Gnome was curious about what it would be like to wander. He normally stood outside in a garden by a happy yellow home. Gnome explored places like Lake Superior, a dome, and a waterfall.
One of the main themes of the story was curiosity. Gnome wanted to explore beyond his familiar garden. A deer and an owl took him to places of scenic beauty. He decided there’s no place like home, so he returned to the happy yellow house.
The movie that came to mind when I read this book was “Sherlock Gnomes” which was a detective mystery sequel about Gnomeo and Juliet who investigated missing garden ornaments. The book that came to mind was “Gnomes” by Wil Huygen an illustrated guide to gnome life and lore.
The story was related to me personally in a variety of ways. I have lived in the U.P. all my life. Welch has lived in Marquette for 25 years, and Bjork happened to be a Marquette resident. The book was published in Marquette. I have visited many of the sights mentioned in the book, such as Presque Isle Park, the Ore Dock, and Lake Superior. This book has introduced me to places I was not aware of and want to see, such as the waterfall. I believe Marquette has beautiful scenery. And I have had a penchant for gnomes. I put them out for different seasons and holidays. I ordered Easter ones.
I recommend There’s Gnome Place Like Marquette for its phenomenal illustrations, because of its introduction to Marquette’s scenic and interesting places and its creative storyline about an adventure of exploration. This book brought about happy memories of my times exploring Marquette’s amazing scenery and introduced me to places I haven’t visited. The illustrator’s pictures of wildlife were realistic and enchanting. What a neat way to see a waterfall, beaches, trees and a dome than on the back of an owl. Welch and Bjork expressed their love of Marquette, which appeared to be inspired by the beauty of nature.
Title: There’s Gnome Place Like Marquette
Author and Illustrator: Mary Anne Welch and Meghan Bjork
