Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World

Sydney and Taylor #1

by Jacqueline Davies, Deborah Hocking (Illustrations)

Best-selling author Jacqueline Davies tells the story of two unlikely Sydney and Taylor, a skunk and a hedgehog who strike out to discover the great unknown, despite how afraid they are of it. Charming illustrations and a laugh-out-loud story make this chapter book perfect for fans of the Mercy Watson and Owl Diaries series. Sydney is a skunk and Taylor is a hedgehog, but no matter how odd the pairing may seem, their friendship comes naturally. They live happily in their cozy burrow . . . until the day Taylor gets his Big Idea to go see the Whole Wide World. From mountains taller than a hundred hedgehogs, valleys wider than a thousand skunks, to the dangers that lie in the human world, Sydney and Taylor wanted to see it all. With a map and a dream, they bravely set off, soon discovering that the world is much bigger than they realized.

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

80 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2021

About the author

Jacqueline Davies is the author of both novels and picture books. She lives in Needham, Massachusetts with her three children.

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqueline Davies has created a fun, easy chapter book series for young readers about two unlikely friends and their adventures. Sydney the skunk and Taylor the hedgehog plan to leave their home for adventure to explore the whole wide world. As they embark on their journey together, they end up realizing the world isn’t as easy as they originally thought, and it certainly is a lot bigger too!

I believe this book will appeal to many children not only because it’s an easy read, the story is fun, and the illustrations are gorgeous, but because it has a wonderful message of the importance of being a good friend, being supportive, and stepping outside your comfort zone. We love the themes of friendship and courage and can’t wait to read the second and third books.

5*****

[Scottsdale Public Library]

Two intrepid friends set out on an expedition to travel beyond the fence surrounding Miss Nancy's yard and into the "Whole Wide World". Can they overcome their fears and hunger to complete their adventure? You'll have to read this wonderful book of friendship and understanding to find out. This is great for early chapter book readers. – Jen K.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty darn adorable. The character's feel very real and relatable from the very first page and the illustrations are delightful. As an adult, I really enjoyed it so I'm giving it four stars though I only recommend it with reservations to the target audience. I do think it might be a bit too intense for some young readers and caution parents to preread, though most of it is very gentle and sweet and there are good messages about supporting your friends and that we all have something that worries us or that we feel less sure about and what may be a strength for someone may be another person's weakness. In terms of scary stuffy, there's apart with a dog that could be frightening to children, especially those who have had negative encounters with dogs (the dog chases after the hedgehog and the fangs are clearly seen in the illustrations and the text mentions how frightening etc. he is) and there's another part where the hedgehog is almost runover by a truck and is saved because a lady runs out into the road to flag down the truck and stop it! My eight-year-old enjoyed this but I didn't share it with my five-year-old as I know he would have been very upset by it.

[Sarah Wagner]

Cute story about two friends leaving the comfort of the known and stepping out into the unknown. Read with my 6 year old daughter.

[Alana Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is about a Stunk's and a Hedgehog's friendship. In this story (as you can see on the title it says 'Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World') they go on an adventure to places very far and unknown. But when Sydney and Taylor get lost, can they get back home? Read the book to find out!

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read-aloud with 2yo boy, 3yo girl, and 6yo girl.

We absolutely love this series! Early Reader chapter books with gorgeous illustrations, expansive vocabulary, and just the right amount of humor and adventure. Perfect for independent readers who are ready for chapters.

[Amanda Abbate · Rating 5 out of 5]

5,5,5 stars - I just adore the illustrations in this book, it's so cozy and whimsical. I want to live in Sydney and Taylors burrow under Ms. Nancy's potting shed. It's possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen.

The girls rating system is as follows.
1 star - I don't like it
2 stars - I don't like it
3 stars - I don't like it
5,5,5 stars - favorite book ever.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't adore this more. Charming, funny, and full of illustrations that are both colorful & ADORABLE! Ferocious predators, tuna fish sandwiches, and hunting for frogs... all delightful! Can't wait for the next Sydney & Taylor book!

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly delightful! Looking forward to the sequel.

[Mercy Davenport · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute read aloud with Juliette.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, loveable characters overcoming fears with the support of friends.

[Meg]

Super cute early chapter for readers juuust not ready for Our Friend Hedgehog or Winnie the Pooh. Reads like an early reader, just a tad longer.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute and gentle humor-filled book is perfect for beginning independent readers just getting started with chapter books. Follow the titular skunk and hedgehog, whose appetite for adventure outside their cozy burrow sometimes outweighs their bravery for the startling things the big world has in store!

[Kacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute read aloud for 1st grade!

[Susan Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story of 2 animal friends off on an adventure to explore the whole wide world. Especially loved that I have a friend with two daughters named Sydney & Taylor! (Library)

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to the Torrington Library in CT for this Facebook read aloud. Very, very cute!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt through Edelweiss+.
Two charming animal characters - a skunk and a hedgehog - set off on an adventure. They leave their burrow and set off following a map Taylor had.
Elementary level readers will love the characters and the humor involved in their nature trek. Sydney protects Taylor when he gets nervous and rolls into a ball. They finish the story back at home relaxing and remembering.
Simple to follow text for mid-elementary readers. The illustrations bring the characters to life and let readers become part of the adventure.

[Stephanie Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

So we have best friends Sydney the skunk and Taylor the hedgehog who are perfectly content in their cozy burrow but one day Taylor has a big idea that they should go somewhere. Sydney thinks their burrow is perfect and they don’t need to go anywhere new. Taylor really wanted to see the Whole Wide World and to make his friend happy Sydney agrees to venture out and explore. But as they journey farther and farther away from their familiar territory and home, they don’t know what dangers could await them.

Again just a really cute story with really cute illustrations. Really engaging for young readers with the wonderful illustrations and the funny moments like when Taylor leaves all their food at home and since they are in the wild he needs to hunt their food so he asks a frog how he hunts him and the frog laughs at him.

Thanks to HMH Children’s Book Group and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Natalie Tate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was cute, but it felt so much like the recent titles Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths and Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us that it was almost like reading those two titles again. Unfortunately, I don't think Sydney and Taylor are quite as charming as the two sloths or the hedgehog and the stuffed dog.

[P.P. Rahayu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World
by Jacqueline Davies
3.5 out of 5 stars

Sydney, a skunk, and Taylor, a hedgehog, are best friend who live below Miss Nancy's house. In their burrow, you can find a cozy place where you can relax and safe.

But one day, Taylor has an idea to explore the whole wide world. At first, Sydney was taken a back with Taylor's idea. It's been a while since they went to the wild and meet any possible precarious predator. Even though Sydney felt hesitant, in the end they started their journey.

Well, that adventure was indeed thrilling. Sydney and Taylor met several hurdles, start from no food available—cause Taylor left all of their food at the burrow, and they had no clear plan of where they would explore. Until, they literally stucked in a danger situation, both because of the precarious predator and the human. Will Sydney and Taylor make it back home?

***

First thing first, I love the illustration. Deborah Hocking's drawing was so beautiful. If I remember correctly, she used water color too as part of her technique. Then, the story itself is simple. It only focused on how Sydney and Taylor managed to go out from their place.

One thing for sure, Taylor, even though had a lot of big ideas and dreams, is actually a scaredy-cat. Sometimes, they curled up to protect themself. Meanwhile, Sydney is more mature than Taylor. They tried to find as many solutions for their struggle when exploring the wild. Taylor should be grateful for having a reliable friend like Sydney.

What will happened on their next journey? I also do wonder what kind of big idea that Taylor has?

In conclusion, this is a cute graphic novel and we can easily engage with the character. I swear, maybe we would resent Taylor later. Lol.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Taylor is a hedgehog who lives with his friend Sydney in a burrow under Miss Nancy's potting shed. Sydney, being a skunk, likes to nap in the burrow. He likes to warm his feet by the fire. He likes to listen to the strong, steady heartbeat of the earth, which you can only hear underground. Taylor likes those things, too. But sometimes Taylor gets ideas. Big Ideas!

Premise/plot: Taylor may just be having his biggest idea yet--to explore....you guessed it...the WHOLE WIDE WORLD. He has a map and everything. But he also has a mostly reluctant best, best friend. Will Taylor and Sydney leave their oh-so-cozy home to go on an expedition? How far will they go? Is the world as dangerous as Sydney thinks it is?

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved this one. I loved the characters. I loved the writing. I loved, loved, loved the illustrations. As an illustrated chapter book it is just excellent. How could anyone not love hanging out with these two? How could anyone not learn to love to read when you've got characters like Sydney and Taylor?

These two are best friends. There's definitely an interesting dynamic going on between the two. Taylor may dream big and have all these plans, ideas, goals, dreams, etc. But when it comes to putting them in action, well, Taylor isn't the big, bold leader you'd expect...not all the time. You see when hedgehogs get scared, well, they roll up into a ball. Sydney may seem reluctant and more of a follower, but Sydney also knows just how to handle danger. These two need each other. They are better for knowing each other and accepting each other.

Definitely recommend this one.

[Erin]

So before anything about the book itself, I find myself wondering whether the character names are an homage to Sydney Taylor, or if that's just accidental.

But names aside, Sydney and Taylor echo many of the great Easy Reader Friendships (Frog and Toad, Mouse and Mole, Elephant and Piggie). Sydney is a calm homebody, willing to take on adventure for Taylor, who is more anxious but who has bigger dreams. It's Taylor, a hedgehog, who wants to see the whole wide world, but it's Sydney the skunk who plans and executes the adventure and who saves Taylor from any number of threats large and small. The two friends work well together and the illustrations really are just charming.

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

When young readers open this book, they will be enthralled by the map of The Whole Wide World with its meadows, mountains, Little Stream, the old footbridge, and the burrow where Sydney the skunk and Taylor the Hedgehog live under Miss Nancy's potting shed. It's a warm place where Sydney is happy to live, but Taylor has Big Ideas!

Taylor convinces Sydney to help him "launch an expedition." Even though it's scary and they might meet strangers, the two friends set off into The Whole Wide World.

They leave all their food at home, so they decide to hunt since they are wild animals, after all. After a comic meeting with hilarious frogs, the two are trapped by a barking dog. Taylor being a hedgehog rolls into a ball which excites the barking dog, Sydney has to save his friend and together they find their way home hitching a ride in the back of Miss Nancy's car.

Sydney and Taylor are magical and their relationship is endearing!

Young readers will ask you to read this book again and again, It is ONE picture book I'm keeping for my BEST PICTURE BOOKS of the last few years.



If you can only buy one book for a kid, buy this one.

HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED early chapter book. Grades K-4.

[April Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This chapter book is really cute! Sydney the skunk and Taylor the hedgehog live together in a cozy burrow under Miss Nancy's potting shed. Sydney is content to sit and contemplate life, but Taylor longs for adventure, and decides the pair should travel. Though Sydney is reluctant, he gamely agrees, and starts preparing for an expedition. Taylor, faced with the reality of actually traveling, starts to get nervous, but his friend reassures and encourages him to follow his dream. The two set out, exploring The Whole Wide World (the surrounding area), try hunting for food, meeting new creatures, fend off a ferocious (or, at least, noisy) dog, and find their way back home after having many adventures. Throughout, they support each other, taking turns being brave and not-so-brave, and showing that adventures with a friend can be great fun. The illustrations are sweet and adorable, and fill out the story well. This looks like it will be a fun series!

#SydneyandTaylorExploretheWholeWideWorld #NetGalley

[Books By the Bay · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8-year read the book and below is the review:

Meet Sydney the skunk and Taylor the hedgehog! Taylor says he wants to explore the world,
so Sydney and Taylor go together on an adventure. But then Taylor suddenly gets scared and wonders if he has made a big mistake. Will the two friends make it out of their burrow?

I love this book! It is cute, amazing, and a quick read. It has beautiful art, and an adorable story.
What’s not to like? Taylor is a shy hedgehog, and Sydney is his loyal friend. Taylor is my favorite character because he is a hedgehog, and I love hedgehogs because they are cute. I think it’s funny that in the book most of the animals wear clothes. I can’t wait to read the other books in the series coming out later this year. Join Sydney and Taylor to explore wildlife, and I hope you get a chance to read this book Sydney and Taylor explore the whole wide world. I recommend this book to book lovers who love friendship and adventure stories.

[Vonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor is a hedgehog who is adventurous. Sydney is a skunk who likes it when life is predictable and comfortable. Taylor always has big ideas. He convinces Sydney to go on an expedition to see what lies beyond their burrow. Sydney is scared, but decides that it is important to support his friend’s dreams. They do find some danger. And when they encounter danger, Taylor rolls up into a ball because that’s what hedgehogs do when they are afraid. But every problem they meet, they face together.

This series is suited for younger elementary students. The writing is whimsical and clever. The illustrations are a perfect fit; warm and friendly. This series will hold up well with other beloved series such as Henry & Mudge, Frog & Toad, Fancy Nancy, etc. I heartily recommend this series and may even purchase it for my nieces and nephews for Christmas.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd couple roommates and friends are a classic literary trope, and Sydney and Taylor fit neatly into that category. Although Taylor enjoys the burrow they share, he also has "Big Ideas" sometimes. His latest idea is that they should leave the burrow and see new things. But Sydney is not sure about the idea and tells Taylor, "Old is better than new... And exciting is...exhausting." Still, friends support each other, so Sydney packs some supplies and Taylor gets the map to plan the path of their adventure.

Being small creatures they don't actually go very far from their home under Miss Nancy's potting shed, but it seems they have traveled the whole wide world by the time they return. They know that there are "mountains taller than a hundred hedgehogs" and "valleys wider than a thousand skunks," but they set out. Along the way there are encounters with frogs, dogs, automobiles, and fast moving streams. Finally they are safely back in their burrow to reminisce about their expedition.

Perfect for fans of Frog and Toad or other buddy stories. This is just the first in a series featuring Sydney and Taylor, so stay tuned for more fun and adventure. (Expected publication date is February 2, 2021. I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes.)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a simple, cozy book with short bite-size chapters and cute illustrations. Great for budding readers ages 6-8 that love lighthearted stories.

Taylor the hedgehog wants to go explore the whole wide world. His friend Sydney the skunk would rather stay at home. But Sydney is a supportive friend, so they pack up and leave on a great expedition.

What I found to be funny is that although Sydney is the one who wants to stay at home, he is by far the better explorer. In a way, this felt a little backwards, but it also brought home the message that you can a have a fun time doing things you wouldn’t normally do. Facing your fears and doing what you have always wanted to do despite being nervous was also a good message.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

79 pgs. This is the BEST, sweetest, well-written, clever book I have read lately! It was a beautifully illustrated story of two animal friends taking a much-needed adventure into the wild world. Taylor the Hedgehog and Sydney the skunk decides to go out and see what is in the world. They stand strong against all kinds of dangers, showing their true courage and determination. I laughed out loud when I saw the page with the friends wearing sunglasses! The author has crafted a MOST amazing story. The illustrator is a perfect match for the storyline to come alive on the pages. I have to say I have been longing for a sweet, fun, and lovely book series to dive into for so, so long...and at last I have found it. Highly recommended for Grades 2-4.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read all but the last 3 chapters in one night before bed (aged 4 and 8) because my oldest fell asleep from a long exhausting day . The story was really cute and both kids followed along… I usually have trouble finding stories that appeal to their age gap. The pictures were fun for my 4 year old to look at to help her stay engaged in the story.

My favorite antic was when the Sydney asked Taylor for a tuna sandwich from his backpack and Taylor said he was told to not pack any of the food and Sydney clarified he said not to pack “all” the food not “any” of the food. That whole conversation was humorous for a kids book.

It’s also easy enough for my 8 year old to read on his own but sometimes I like to read to them before bed.