Dodder, Baldmoney, Cloudberry, and Sneezewort are the last gnomes left in England, and were first introduced to readers in the award-winning book, 'The Little Grey Men' This books opens with the four gnomes snugly tucked up in their oak tree for the winter - but they are awoken from their sleep with the terrible news that the Folly Brook is drying up and they must move at once.

So the four brothers set off in their boat, the 'Jeanie Deans', to find a new home where they will be really safe.