First published in Dutch in 1976, with an English translation the following year, Gnomes is a pseudo-biological treatise exploring the life of the typical gnome. Written by Wil Huygen and illustrated by Rien Poortvliet, Gnomes is played completely straight, portraying itself as the result of actual field observations and interviews.

With illustrations on almost every page, the book takes a charmingly matter-of-fact approach to its subject, giving it the feel of something between a children’s book about dinosaurs and a Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. Its 212 pages detail gnome physiology, diet, social organization and traditions, even including how they build their tiny-ass houses.

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According to the New York Times, the original run sold over a million copies and spent 56 weeks on the bestseller list, because gnomes. Several follow up books were written, along with a couple movies (not including the completely unrelated Gnomeo & Juliet and Sherlock Gnomes). It was also an off-hand reference in an episode of Archer, so be sure to mark that down on your bingo cards.

Have a good Sunday, y’all!