Ostheimer Norbert the Winter Gnome

Norbert the Winter Gnome brings one of Daniela Drescher’s much-loved storybook characters into children’s imaginative play. Inspired by the beautifully illustrated board book Norbert the Winter Gnome, this charming wooden figure invites children to recreate scenes from the story or create woodland adventures of their own.

In the story, winter has arrived and the forest is covered in snow. With bare tree branches and frozen grass, the woodland animals are struggling to find enough food. Kind-hearted Norbert the Winter Gnome sets off through the icy forest to visit his hungry friends, carrying delicious gifts for the fox, hare, mouse, deer, robin and other creatures he meets along the way.

Written and illustrated by Daniela Drescher, the creator of much-loved books including Pippa and Pelle and In the Land of Fairies, Norbert the Winter Gnome is a gentle story about friendship, kindness and caring for others. The seasonal details of the snowy forest and its animal inhabitants provide a beautiful foundation for imaginative play, allowing children to extend the story far beyond the pages of the book.

As children play with Norbert, they can imagine his journey through the winter forest, deciding which animals he will visit and what treats he might bring them. He can be paired with woodland animals, trees and other wooden figures to create cosy small-world scenes inspired by the book or completely new stories.

Play and Story Inspiration

Norbert the Winter Gnome is perfect for recreating moments from Daniela Drescher’s winter tale or creating new woodland adventures. Children can imagine Norbert trekking through the snow to care for his hungry friends, prepare food for the animals, or explore the frozen forest together. Paired with woodland creatures and natural materials, he encourages storytelling, empathy and imaginative play while bringing the gentle themes of friendship and kindness into the playroom.

About Ostheimer

Ostheimer has been hand-carving wooden toys in Germany for over 60 years, creating figures that spark creativity, storytelling, and open-ended play. Their Waldorf-inspired designs use sustainable materials and non-toxic paints, fostering imagination and a love of nature.

Explore the creativity behind each hand-carved Ostheimer toy in Ostheimer’s Story.

• Product number:  25203
• Length: 4.2 cm
• Width: 2.5 cm
• Height: 7.3 cm
• Wood type:  Maple
• Age recommendation:  Not suitable for children under 36 month.