Our Friend Hedgehog

It’s autumn, and Hedgehog, walking through the woods in Hedge Hollow, sees something she has never seen before—another hedgehog! She is curious and wonders if she belongs with others like her rather than in Hedge Hollow with Mole, Owl, Mutty, Beaver, Annika Mae, and Hen and Chicks. Her friends help her travel upriver to find other hedgehogs. They find Hedge Hideaway, a place filled with other hedgehogs. They are preparing for a feast before hibernation. Hedgehog has never hibernated, but she stays while her friends go home. Everyone is welcoming, but none of them like to play in the snow, and Hedgehog misses her friends.

Lauren Castillo has written a sweet story about the importance of friendship and what family really means. Youngsters will be delighted to get to know these lovely characters, and they will be engaged by the excellent writing and enchanting illustrations, whether they are emerging readers reading on their own or pre-readers still being read to. This is a wonderful gateway book that will help to carry youngsters into reading on their own with short chapters, a captivating story, and accessible but challenging vocabulary.