When you think of 80s animated icons, you usually picture muscle-bound heroes, transforming robots, or pizza-loving turtles. But for a generation of kids who tuned into Nick Jr., the biggest hero stood only 15 centimeters tall.
The World of David the Gnome was a gentler kind of adventure, teaching us about nature, kindness, and the dangers of trolls. While the show is famous for its tear-jerker ending and that soothing opening theme ("Trolls, and wizards, and fairy kings... birds that talk and fish that sing!"), the toy line produced by Star Toys remains a quiet giant in the world of vintage PVC collecting.
Let’s dive into the history of these miniature masterpieces and why they are still worth hunting for today.
Origins of David el Gnomo
The narrative started in the Netherlands with the book Leven en werken van de Kabouter (The Secret Book of Gnomes) by Wil Huygen and Rien Poortvliet. Their lifelike, delightful illustrations attracted the attention of BRB Internacional, an animation company headed by Claudio Biern Boyd (frequently referred to as the "Spanish Walt Disney").
In 1985, BRB produced an animated series, David el Gnomo, which became an instant hit in Europe before being dubbed for North American audiences. Unlike the frenetic action cartoons of the era, the show was paced, thoughtful, and deeply environmental. But naturally, kids still wanted to play out the adventures, and that meant we needed toys.
The Star Toys Connection
If you search for "gnome toys" online, you will find thousands of generic ceramic figures based on the Poortvliet art style. However, for collectors of the show, there is a crucial distinction: The BRB Line.
The official tie-in toys were manufactured by the Spanish company Star Toys. Unlike the fragile porcelain statues your grandmother might have collected, Star Toys produced robust, play-ready PVC figures that perfectly captured the cel-shaded look of the animation.
The line is beloved for its "squishy" durability - similar to the Smurfs or Snorks figures of the time - but with a higher level of sculpted detail to match the show’s intricate character designs.
The Unieboek Distinction: Book vs. Cartoon
It is easy to get confused when hunting for these figures because there are actually two distinct PVC lines. While Star Toys produced the figures based on the animated series, other companies released PVC figures based strictly on the original book illustrations.
These "book-style" figures are often stamped simply with Unieboek (the publisher) on the foot. The visual difference is immediate once you know what to look for:
- Unieboek Figures: Feature more realistic proportions, highly textured "fur" on the clothing, and the small, bead-like eyes typical of Poortvliet’s art.
- BRB Star Toys Figures: Feature the wider, smoother, cartoon-style eyes and flatter colors of the TV show.
Both are highly collectible, but they represent two different interpretations of the same world.
The Core Collection: More Than Just Red Hats
The heart of the line was the 3.5-inch figure series. While David was the star, Star Toys went deep into the roster. The variety was surprisingly vast for such a niche show:
- David & Lisa: The power couple of the forest. David was the "Swiss Army Knife" of figures; you could find him in multiple variants: holding his medical kit, a shovel, a pickaxe, or a lantern. Lisa was similarly accessorized, often found with her market basket, a broom, or a watering can.
- Swift the Fox: David’s loyal steed. Finding a David figure that fits perfectly onto the back of the Swift figure is one of the most satisfying pairings in 80s toy collecting. Swift was a solid, heavier chunk of PVC that anchored the display.
- The Trolls: Paradoxically, the bad guys made for the best toys. Pot, Pat, and Hooley were bulkier, heavier, and had fantastic, goofy expressions. Because they were larger chunks of plastic, they often survived the decades in better condition than their gnome counterparts.
The "Gnomes of the World" & Professions
Star Toys didn't stop at the main cast. In a move to compete with the Smurfs' sheer volume of characters, they released a sub-line of "Professions" and "Gnomes of the World."
These figures utilized the standard gnome body shape but introduced unique paint apps and accessories. You might find a Glassblower Gnome, a Potter Gnome, or gnomes dressed in international attire (like the rare Scottish or African gnomes). These are significantly harder to find than the standard David figure and are often misidentified by sellers as generic "fantasy figures," making them a prime target for savvy hunters.
The "Holy Grail" Playsets
For the lucky few who had them, the playsets were the crown jewels.
The most iconic piece was David’s Treehouse. It wasn't just a plastic shell; it was an open-backed playset that revealed the intricate root system and rooms underground, just like in the show's cross-section animation. Note that there are two versions of the house: a hard plastic molded version, and a promotional cardboard constructible playset. The plastic version is the one you want for longevity, but the cardboard version is arguably rarer due to its fragility.
Collectors also look for the "Environment Accessories." Star Toys released boxed sets that included a Water Well, a Campfire, and a Log Bridge. These small pieces are frequently lost, so finding a complete boxed set is a major victory.
Side Note: Star Toys also produced a line for the spin-off series, Wisdom of the Gnomes (La Llamada de los Gnomos), which featured Judge Klaus. This sub-line included the incredibly rare Igloo playset, released for the episodes where the gnomes traveled to the Arctic.
Why These Figures Still Matter
Collecting David the Gnome toys in the United States can be a challenge. While the show was a staple on Nickelodeon, the toys saw much wider distribution in Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands. This scarcity has turned them into cult items for American collectors.
There is a tactile nostalgia to these figures. They represent a specific moment in pop culture history where an educational Spanish cartoon based on a Dutch book could capture the hearts of American children. They are a reminder that a hero doesn't need a laser gun or a power sword - sometimes, all you need is a red hat and a really fast fox.
The legacy of David the Gnome lives on in the hearts of those who remember the lessons of the forest. If you’re digging through a bin of vintage toys and spot that familiar red cone hat and white beard, don't let him go - you’ve found a little piece of magic.