Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us

Our Friend Hedgehog #1

by Lauren Castillo

From a Caldecott Honor-winning artist comes a cozy classic-in-the-making about finding your friends and sticking together through thick and thin.

" Our Friend Hedgehog feels like a modern-day Winnie the Pooh . It's so warm and full of joy and love. It's got classic written all over it." --Victoria Jamieson, Newbery Honor-winning author of Roller Girl

Sometimes you make a friend,
and it feels like you have known that friend your entire life. . . .

Hedgehog lives on a teeny-tiny island with only her stuffed dog, Mutty, for company. When a great storm carries Mutty away, she embarks on a quest to find her friend. Following the trail of clues Mutty left behind, brave Hedgehog meets a wiggly Mole, a wordy Owl, a curmudgeonly Beaver, a scatterbrained Hen and Chicks, and a girl who's new to the neighborhood, Annika May. With bravery and teamwork, there's nothing that can stop these seven from finding Mutty, but along the way they discover something even more important: each other.

The first book in a new series from Caldecott Honor winner Lauren Castillo, Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us has the feel of a timeless classic, introducing an unforgettable cast of characters who will star in many more adventures to come.

Genres: Animals, Friendship, Chapter Books, Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy

128 pages, Library Binding

First published May 5, 2020

About the author

Lauren Castillo received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Honor winning book Nana in the City, and the new early chapter book series Our Friend Hedgehog. Lauren has also illustrated several critically acclaimed picture books, including Kirkus Prize finalist Imagine by Juan Felipe Herrera, Twenty Yawns by Jane Smiley, and Yard Sale by Eve Bunting. She currently draws and dreams in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember that feeling you got when you read The One and Only Ivan aloud with a class for the first time? Or the Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane? It was cozy, and calm, and that sweet feeling I grew up with when I would listen to Winnie the Pooh.

That is this book. It's the feeling of hygge all wrapped up in a little junior chapter book. Got it three days ago and I've read it twice and can't wait to read it again.

Marvelous; absolutely marvelous.

[Arezoo Gholizadeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

جوجه‌تیغی تنها دوستش رو گم می‌کنه و برای پیدا کردنش خطر می‌کنه و به جاهای ناشناخته می‌ره. همین سفر باعث می‌شه دوست‌های جدیدی پیدا کنه.
یه داستان بامزه درباره‌ی دوستی و شجاعت با تصویرگری فوق‌العاده که بچه‌های کوچولو عاشقش می‌شن. برای بلندخونی هم عالیه.

[Lindsi (Do You Dog-ear?) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

The writing was choppy and the wording felt forced, but it also failed to keep the interest of my three children. I think that alone says a lot about the story. A book meant for kids should be able to hold their attention, but the lovely illustrations weren't enough to keep them engrossed in Hedgehog's tale.

I do think the author was trying to convey a nice message about friendship (and possibly stepping outside of one's comfort zone), but the lackluster story made the book feel too long and also slightly boring.

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[M.C.V. Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing and illustrations are brilliant. Echos of Winnie The Pooh makes this delightful children's book fresh yet familiar. It's such a nice cozy read and the vocabulary is sophisticated without being daunting. I loved it.

[Abby Johnson]

When a storm comes, Hedgehog's best friend is blown away off their island and Hedgehog must venture forth on his own to find him. Encountering and befriending a host of other woodland creatures, Hedgehog saves the day just as his friends have saved him. This would be a sweet easy chapter book for families to read together. Hand to fans of Winnie the Pooh and The Wind in the Willows.

[Tatevik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accidentally read the second book first and then read this. This one is also sweet happy book about friendship and overcoming fear and difficulties. I liked this better than the second book. But still the series aren’t moving enough and something is missing to be a five star. Still I enjoyed reading this to my almost 3 year old. Illustrations are very cute!

[Tatiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too long. Basically, pictures kept me going, but bored throughout.

[Tegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for Winnie-the-Pooh fans!

Monarch 2024

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could I miss purchasing Lauren Castillo's new early chapter book with stories that include a favorite animal, a hedgehog? I could not! I have previously loved Imagine and It's Not Time for Sleeping which she illustrated and Nana In The City, which won the Caldecott. This time, readers have the pleasure of meeting new characters in Our Friend, Hedgehog, The Story of Us. It centers on Hedgehog who lives on an island in the middle of a river with her friend, Mutty. They love each other, have fun together, but Hedgehog does admit, she is sometimes lonely. After a horrific storm that whisks Mutty away to we don't know where, Hedgehog has to gather all her courage to search. She must swim across the river to the forest, quite daunting, but she is a good swimmer, loving the backstroke! Thus begins this journey of bravery and kindness, helpful hands and so much gratitude. Each part begins carefully setting the stage for readers. Before the title page, there is an introduction of the characters, and each character or group is introduced with what appears to be a polaroid photo. (That's explained later.) At each chapter, there is also a hint that connects to the content of the next part. The endpapers even show a detailed map in full color! Lauren's illustrations please with their black outlining and strong colors. The details are fun to linger over. I imagine everyone will love Mole's cozy den and her knick-knacks on the walls. There is tension, too, in finding Mutty; Beaver is rather cranky, and Owl is a good leader! Annika, the young girl needs friends, too. You'll see that it's a perfect book for this time of loneliness in our children's worlds.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hedgehog was happily living on her small island with her dear friend Mutty. But then one day a storm swept through the island and her dearest friend was carried away. Missing her friend ever so much, Hedgehog left the comfort of her little island to search for him. Along the way, Hedgehog meets other woodland animals and a young girl who just moved into their neighborhood. Hedgehog makes some new unexpected friends who comfort and support her while she tries to find her lost friend. The pen, pencil, and watercolor illustrations have such a warm and inviting feeling with all the browns, yellows, and reds. Each of the characters are so kind and supportive of Hedgehog and it really did remind me of Winnie the Pooh. Not only for how Beaver is a bit surly like Rabbit and how the chicks are like Kanga, and of course the inclusion of a wise owl. A lovely story that empathizes friendship, kindness, being brave, and provides a nice introduction to this new series from Lauren Castillo.
*E-ARC received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Lesley Burnap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy that this is just book one! Love, love, love! ♥️♥️♥️ The beautiful illustrations & gentle story are perfect for K and up! Reading this book is like one big HUG! And who couldn’t use a hug right now?

[Kristin Boldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, comforting, funny, and sustaining. Reminscent of Milne's Pooh stories. Rec'd by Kate DiCamillo at an author talk.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute!

[Tabitha Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read aloud with my children! ❤️

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super sweet and good for 2nd-4th. Ages 4+ as a read aloud

[Sky Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me the same nostalgic feelings as when I read Winnie-the-Pooh. The characters have lovely layers and great personalities. Definitely a book I want to have in my classroom library.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Lauren's picture book work for many years and when I found out she was entering the beginning chapter book market with this title, I was extremely excited and ordered it pre-publication. When it arrived I was thrilled that I had done so! The overall quality of the writing, illustrations, and layout make this an excellent addition to any beginning chapter book collection.

The story has unique and quirky characters, end of chapter cliff-hangers, and lots of heart building empathy. The animal characters had such great personalized personification; making each one distinctly different in voice and character from the others. This made our family read aloud of the book extremely fun and exciting. My favorites to read aloud were the word defining Owl and the cantankerous Beaver. The unifying ending will satisfy tender hearts and offers the hope that we will see these new friends again in more adventures.

The enchanting illustrations are mixed media created with pen, pencil, watercolors, and Photoshop. The color palate choices and mixed media approach offers an engaging and eye-pleasing visual entry into the story and brings the delightful text to life which is a blessing to both young readers just reaching their reading independence and to adults who would like to share this story with pre-readers. It is amazing to me how she creates such an inviting setting and also adds to some heart-pounding action at the same time! I still have flashbacks of the beaver dam collapsing and the water rushing everywhere!

The layout and structure are some of the best I have seen for a beginning chapter book. The setting is introduced in a widescreen viewpoint on the front end-page, an element important to the structure (Polaroid camera) appears first on the dedication page, and the cast of characters are introduced after the table of contents, but before the story begins. Then we narrow in on one character being introduced by their Polaroid picture and one piece of the setting for many of the chapters that follow until we have to focus on the action of them as a group. I can truly say that the use of the Polaroid camera was genius and I can see this as a great story-extending project to do with young readers to expose them to the media.

I would highly recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our collective memories most of our first (and sometimes our only) best friends are not human. We may find an animal in the wild who visits us, or we visit. Perhaps we hold a special place in our hearts for an animal who has resided in our homes, currently or in the past. For many the comfort and confidence provided by a toy is the key to our contentment. If in the presence of a wild animal, an animal who lives with us or a beloved toy we feel all is right with the world, then this individual is the truest of friends.

This special kind of friendship is cherished. If it is taken from us, we do whatever is necessary to regain it. And that journey, if we are fortunate, reveals rewards we can never have expected. In her first longer book, the start in a series, author illustrator Lauren Castillo generously gives us Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story Of Us (Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, May 5, 2020). These nine chapters plus an introduction are 128 pages of heartwarming enchantment certain to resonate with generations of readers.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hedgehog and her friend Mutty are best friends and live together on a teeny tiny island. They do everything together. They enjoy playing, imagining and dreaming together.

That was, until the night of the Terrible Storm. A storm that brought the meanest wind Hedgehog had ever known. It whistled. It huffed. It swooped down. And it carried Hedgehog’s dearest friend Mutty away.

Hedgehog desperately tries to find her friend. She searches all along Hedge Hollow and encounters some friends along the way including a wise and talkative owl and a somewhat grumpy but hard working beaver. They ban together overcoming obstacles, and look for clues to find dear Mutty.

Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us is truly a beautiful story of friendship, journey and kindness. The drawings and artwork are simply gorgeous. Fans of Mercy Watson and Winnie-the-Pooh will truly enjoy this book. You will want to read this heartwarming story over and over again. Trust me. I did.

Available on Overdrive a downloadable eBook

Reviewed by: Jane Martinez Khaytin, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable story about a hedgehog that loses her best friend, Mutty, in a terrible storm. Through a great deal of traveling and mishaps, Hedgehog meets new friends and reconnects with another. This story is a tale of overcoming adversities and exuding courage to find that “one” that means so much. The personification of the characters; a hedgehog, an owl, a beaver, a mole, a hen and her chicks that work together to find Hedgehogs friend, Mutty, are done brilliantly as the dialogue flows quite easily from each character to the next. This is important and works well when they finally meet a young girl who is quite lonely as she has just moved to town, who can understand them, and they all become fast friends. Readers of all ages will love this story of animals of all varieties coming together that form strong friendships, even going so far as to rescue one another when push comes to shove. The illustrations were lovely, and the characters’ personalities lit up the pages which were done with watercolors, pencil and photoshop. With a plot that was unique and believable and the author being a Caldecott Honor Winner, this is a 4️⃣⭐️ read❗️

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the illustrations, the string friendship message and the gentle Winnie-the Pooh type feels.

I tried it out with 6-9 yo students. For the eldest, this didn't really hold their attention, I think they were a touch too old. For the younger, the story felt a little long for my once-a-week library setting. Reading over 2 weeks made each chunk too long and 3 weeks dragged the story out a little. I think it would work well as a nightly bedtime story, or in a classroom where you could read a little each day.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, and at a good reading level to recommend to those kids just graduating from easy readers into chapter books. Close in reading level to a Mercy Watson or Branches series; I'm always looking for books at that level as there aren't enough of them and they are needed. So it fills a niche; I just thought the story was a bit ... slow? Not that exciting? I love a gentle, old fashioned book so I'm not sure why I didn't fall as in love with this as others have. However, I will recommend it to readers who love animals and/or friendship stories looking for books at this level.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book to start a new reading year! A great story about old and new friends, adventure, and moving. I liked how owl introduced new words and shared the definition, too. Lauren Castillo’s illustrations are delightful and there is much to see on each page. I especially liked mole’s home.

This would be a great read aloud for a kindergarten class or families just getting started with chapter books.

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a storm separated Hedgehog from her best friend Mutty, she sets out to find him. Through her adventures, she meets new, wonderful friends (Mole, Owl, Beaver, and Hen and Chicks). With their help, they find Mutty...and Annika Mae, a girl who is new to the neighborhood.

An incredibly cute story about friendship. Illustrations are adorable. A good stepping stone for newer readers, but could also be used for a quick read-aloud.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in a new series for young readers introducing an adorable cast of characters. Short chapters enhanced with many charming illustrations done in pen, pencil and watercolor tell the story of how the characters first meet. Small trim size and cover are so inviting!

I picked this galley up at ALA and read in coming home on the airplane. I can't wait for more adventures!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hedgehog loses his best friend Mutty in a storm and sets out to find him, enlisting the help of a series of animals, each having distinct personalities and skill or knowledge that proves helpful. Finally, Hedgehog and his new friends meet Annika Mae, a girl who has moved to a new home and misses her old friends. They all learn something about friendship. The pictures are delightful.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of friends finding one another. It is a super simple beginning chapter book with lots of pictures (it's cataloged as a Picture Book at my library but I definitely think it's along the same lines as Bink and Gollie). It is very reminiscent of Winnie-the-Pooh or Frog and Toad.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable!! I love finding great early chapter books. Reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh, Frog and Toad, Beatrix Potter, EB White books, and other beloved stories of friendship and animals, this one is sure to be loved by young readers!! Hoping for more!!

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story and pictures! It reminds me of Winnie the Pooh! Love the illustrations and I look forward to future hedgehog stories!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are amazing! The story is very cute too.