Norman and the Smell of Adventure

Norman

by Ryan T. Higgins

New York Times best-selling creator Ryan T. Higgins follows up the much-lauded NORMAN DIDN'T DO IT! with this hilarious sequel about answering the call (and smell) of adventure.

Norman is a porcupine.
Norman’s best friend is Mildred.
Mildred is a tree.

They have favorite things they do together, day after day.
When Norman wakes one morning and wants to try something new, he’s frustrated to learn that Mildred has other plans.

So Norman storms off. On his own. Without Mildred.

Can their friendship survive?

With his signature humor and heart, Ryan T. Higgins explores the joy of independence and the power of best friendship.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Adventure, Humor, Childrens, Animals, Nature

48 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author so much! He writes such good picture books!!

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan Higgins has a knack for creating lovable characters with quirky personality traits. Love his Penelope Rex books and his Bruce books. This is the second of the Norman books I have read and it is very cute. We begin with Norman and his tree friend, Mildred, from the first book. Norman wants to go on an adventure. Mildred does not. Norman tries to convince her, but, after a fight, he stomps off on his own. He meets new characters on his trek and proves that sometimes best friends have to do some things on their own. And that’s okay. I liked the cactus.

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 153

#FirsttoCheckOut

[Vicky Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Prickly Friends

A cute children's book, probably better if shared between siblings of differing reading levels. Some of the words and concepts may not be a great fit for the youngest readers. But, the subject is well worth sharing. Available at the local library.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Penelope Rex series. So it's nice to see some new characters. Norman is a delight. I loved his interactions with Sally the cactus. And Norman has an awesome adventure.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norman, the porcupine, goes off in search of adventure even though his best friend (a tree) doesn't want to go with him.

[Jen Bradbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan t Higgins does it again. One of our favorite picture book authors.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Norman was a porcupine. His best friend was Mildred. Mildred was a tree. They had favorite things they did day after day. But one morning Norman wanted to try different things. "What do you say, Mildred? Let's go do something new! What do you mean you have other plans?"

Premise/plot: Norman and Mildred have a fight. If you've read the first sentence (above), you know Mildred is a tree. Still, Norman has a "fight" with Mildred his best friend. He gets so angry he sets off on his own adventure. He expects Mildred to come after him. She doesn't. She's a tree. Still, he's determined to have an adventure even if it's on his own. He soon makes other "friends." At the end of his adventure he returns home to Mildred to tell her all about it.

My thoughts: This one was definitely silly. Norman is quite a silly character. Meeting "Sally" (the cactus) was fun. (Norman misreads a "sale" sign on the cactus and thinks it's a name tag). The lesson was simple enough: friends don't have to do everything together. I liked it. However, my expectations were a bit higher for this one. I wanted to love it more than I did. I have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED some of his books in the past, and I was expecting to be charmed or delighted. It was a good enough read. But his other books are better.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norman the Porcupine is back and this time he is ready for adventure! When he asks his best friend, Mildred the Tree, if she would like to do something different, Mildred says no. Dismayed, Norman packs some snacks and his camera and takes off on his own. On the way he meets a silent but obviously wise cactus named Sale, or Sally, as Norman decides. Norman continues with his adventures and eventually reaches the top of the hill. As he gazes out at the forest of trees and ruminates on how Mildred would have loved the view, he realizes that he misses his best friend. He returned to Mildred and showed her the pictures he took and told her about his adventure. Norman decides that it's ok to do things on his own sometimes; we don't always have to do what our friends want to do.

Perfect story for a hard-to-learn lesson.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have a best friend? Is your best friend a tree? No? Well - Norman and Mildred are best friends. Norman is a porcupine. And Mildred is a tree. One day, Norman decides it would be fun to do something different. But Mildred says no and then she and Norman get into a bit of an argument... and Norman stomps away. Without Mildred.
And Norman goes on an adventure! First he meets Sally the cactus. Who encourages him to keep going. He explores lots of things and makes lots of discoveries but there is no one to share them with. Norman misses Mildred. So he heads back home. Do you think Mildred will forgive him?

Very cute. But now I want a tuna sandwich.
And be sure to take a peek under the dust jacket - the cover of the book is different.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norman is a porcupine.
Norman’s best friend is Mildred.
Mildred is a tree. 🌳

When Norman gets his feelings hurt because he wants to go on an epic adventure but Mildred can’t come along, he gets mad (swipe to see the illustration of his adorable mad face) and goes anyway.

This funny, quirky book teaches kids that it’s ok to venture out on your own, but coming home to those that are always there for but is the best feeling ever. Such a great lesson!

This is the second book in the Norman series by @ryan_t._Higgins, who also authors the Mother Bruce series.

Thank you to @tlcbooktours and @disney_hyperion for the gifted copy.

[P.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I enjoy the most about this author’s work is the subtle way the “lesson” is brought forth—simple enough for a child to understand, yet comical enough for an adult to agree with. Like his other books, Mr. Higgins is the illustrator, but don’t just look at the pictures within because the cover and end pages are just as meaningful to the stories.

The text is simple, yet it never talks down to children. Norman, the porcupine going on the adventure, is a simple creature whose naivete presents a wonderful charm. This book is being donated to St. Joseph School in Chehalis, WA.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

Maybe it's because I read Norman Didn't Do It!: SO many times when it was a Black Eyed Susan Award nominee but I just don't think that this follow up has the same spark that the first book had. I still liked this book and it has a good message about how friends don't have to do everything together but I think the original is miles better.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Norman the porcupine and Mildred, his friend tree get into an argument, so Norman leaves her and goes out on an adventure alone. What lessons on friendship does he learn while hiking out in nature? You'll have to read it an see.

While not a fan of the illustrations and the text feels forced, this book will do the job for a storytime, lapsit or early elementary class read, but it's not one I'll grab first to share in a storytime. YMMV.

Themes: porcupines/animals, friendship, humor, adventure
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2025

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norman is a porcupine Mildred is his best friend. She is a tree. They do everything together, until Norman wants to do something different and she doesn’t follow him. He asks advice of SALE the cactus who is silent so he goes on his own adventure and realizes he misses Mildred and treks back to her and apologizes for their(his) fight. They go back to doing things together, until Norman smells the need for an adventure.
Cheerful, expressing illustrations provide the perfect counterpoint to the sometimes wry text. A fun read aloud.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norman heads off to find adventure. It takes a long time and plenty of effort before he finds it.

Why I started this book: Thrilled that the library's copy arrived!

Why I finished it: I like Norman, have been pretty far into an uncomfortable situation before I realized that this very thing I'm going through, is the adventure. And we all need friends like Sale with sharp and good points.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norman is bored and encourages Mildred to go on an adventure with him. Of course, Mildred can't do that as she is a tree. Readers will love seeing more of Norman as he sets off to find adventure. He meets a silent wise plant who encourages him to think for himself. I love that he figures out he can have both a friendship with Mildred and times for adventure too. Higgin's humor comes through clearly in both the text and the artwork.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the characters in these books by Ryan Higgins. Norman is a porcupine and loves his tree friend Mildred. He can't understand why Mildred won't go on an adventure. He runs into a cactus, a cave, upriver, swamp, brambles, and a moose. All things found in nature. He climbs a tall mountain and views his surroundings. and takes photos to share back home when he runs out of snacks. Lots of tongue-in-cheek humor.

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norman is a porcupine, and his best friend is a tree. When Norman wants to go on an adventure, his tree friend isn't interested in joining him. Norman isn't sure how to feel about that. Fortunately, he meets a wise cactus, who gives him some great advice about what to do if you and your friend aren't always into the same things.

I'm here for these puns and hilarious illustrations. And yes, the message of this book is pretty cheerful too.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

i got this from Amazon, a real book, i love it when i do that. got it today, so fun. wish it was longer. but we have to keep the kids happy, i guess kids can't sit to long for a book. wish they did though. so fun. great illustrations. i think Mildred is rather opinionated. lol. kidding ...but fun times. enjoy Ryan's writing. so fun!! check it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norman wants to have an adventure but best friend, Mildred, does not. Being a tree, all she wants to do is sit and soak up the sun. Right now, that seems like the most boring thing ever to Norman. They argue … sort of … and Norman sets out on his own to find an adventure. Luckily, he runs into a very wise cactus who gives him good advice … sort of. 😁

The one-sided conversations are so fun!

[Courtney Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norman and the Smell of Adventure is a delightfully fun & funny read for children & adults alike. The humor is not lost to the adults reading this one and the illustrations are charming! The story is a fabulous tale of adventure and stepping out of your norm to see the beauty in the unknown as well as the delights of returning home.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine. Feel like the animal is friends with an inanimate object and then goes off without them on an adventure plot has been done so many times. This was that done well. But nothing exciting for me.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norman the porcupine’s best friend is a tree, Mildred. He wants to go on an adventure, so he head off alone. He misses Mildred. It reminded me of George and Lenny. But I think I liked George and Lenny better. It was more relatable.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is hilarious because his best friend is a tree and we don't hear her answers we get them through Norman's reactions and responses. So he goes on an adventure on his own. He is silly and fun. An homage to missing special friends during the best times.

[Cheyenne A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norman and the Smell of Adventure is a cute picture book documenting what it means to venture out into the world and trying something new, but always being able to come back home to your loved ones!
The art is fantastic and the story is amazing!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found in L4L Volume 166. I LOVE Norman!!

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good one to use to talk about how friends don't have to do everything the same - enjoy what you like together and it's ok to different things.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolute romp 🙌

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you know when an adventure is an adventure? What do you do when your friend doesn’t want to go with you? Let’s see what Norman decides.

[Y.Poston]

a very cute & funny friendship between a tree and a porcupine