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The Hedgehog of Oz
A theater-dwelling, Oz-loving hedgehog goes on the journey of a lifetime to find his way home.
Marcel the hedgehog used to live with his beloved owner Dorothy, but since getting hopelessly lost, he’s tried to forget the happy home he left behind. Now, Marcel lives a quiet life in the abandoned balcony of The Emerald City Theater where he subsists on dropped popcorn and the Saturday showings of The Wizard of Oz.
But when he’s discovered, Marcel is taken far away from everything he knows and ends up lost once more. His quest to return to The Emerald City Theater leads him to Mousekinland, where he meets Scamp, a tiny mouse armed with enormous spirit (and a trusty sling-shooter). Before long, they’re joined by an old gray squirrel, Ingot, who suffers from bad memories and a broken heart, and Tuffy, a baby raccoon lost and afraid in the forest. And the travelers attract the attention of an owl named Wickedwing, who stalks them as they search for the old theater.
From field to forest, glittering theater to the gutter, the animals’ road home is a dark and winding journey. But sometimes you need to get a little lost before you can be found.
Marcel the hedgehog used to live with his beloved owner Dorothy, but since getting hopelessly lost, he’s tried to forget the happy home he left behind. Now, Marcel lives a quiet life in the abandoned balcony of The Emerald City Theater where he subsists on dropped popcorn and the Saturday showings of The Wizard of Oz.
But when he’s discovered, Marcel is taken far away from everything he knows and ends up lost once more. His quest to return to The Emerald City Theater leads him to Mousekinland, where he meets Scamp, a tiny mouse armed with enormous spirit (and a trusty sling-shooter). Before long, they’re joined by an old gray squirrel, Ingot, who suffers from bad memories and a broken heart, and Tuffy, a baby raccoon lost and afraid in the forest. And the travelers attract the attention of an owl named Wickedwing, who stalks them as they search for the old theater.
From field to forest, glittering theater to the gutter, the animals’ road home is a dark and winding journey. But sometimes you need to get a little lost before you can be found.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 2021
23 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
Cory Leonardo
2 books87 followersCory Leonardo grew up believing she’d replace Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune, but when that didn’t pan out, she decided to turn letters and phrases in a different way (but minus the glittery dresses, sadly). Author of the Parent's Choice Award-winning middle grade novel, THE SIMPLE ART OF FLYING, its UK companion, CALL ME ALASTAIR, and the forthcoming THE EMERALD CITY THEATER (Spring 2021, Aladdin/S&S), this born and bred upstate New Yorker currently lives in the Syracuse area with her husband, a collection of snow shovels, and her three plucky children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 13, 2021
was not expecting to cry so much at the end. WTH. Cory Leonardo is a must read author for EVERYONE!!!
June 29, 2021
This book has EVERYTHING. Adventure? Check. Wonderfully-crafted prose? Check, check. A cast of animals you'll wish were your best friends? Triple-check. Themes of bravery, confidence, acceptance, friendship, and more? Absolutely.
From the moment the book opens in the Emerald City Theater, it's impossible not to fall in love with hedgehog protagonist Marcel--and every single beat of his exciting, hilarious, and bursting-with-heart journey in THE HEDGEHOG OF OZ. Can't recommend enough.
From the moment the book opens in the Emerald City Theater, it's impossible not to fall in love with hedgehog protagonist Marcel--and every single beat of his exciting, hilarious, and bursting-with-heart journey in THE HEDGEHOG OF OZ. Can't recommend enough.
March 29, 2021
This utterly charming animal adventure stars a bespectacled hedgehog, a fierce mouseling, a crotchety squirrel, a not-so-tough baby raccoon, plus a couple of theatre chickens. And it is a delightful homage to the Wizard of Oz.
August 17, 2021
So, I’m really rating this for my niece but it’s an honest review for all that I promise.
Normally, you ought not judge a book by its cover (or, so the old adage goes), but then I saw the absolutely adorable cover of The Hedgehog of Oz advertised on Facebook and since my 8 year old niece has been looking to expand her library I made up a shaky lie to buy it for her under her parents’ nose as any good uncle ought to do.
So, it’s not quite a mistake, and not quite a problem either but the day she got this book she stuck her nose between the covers and kept reading until she didn’t have any more pages to turn. That’s right: my little niece finished this in a single day. I was hoping she’d stretch it out a bit longer since now we’re back to her needing more books to read (although she promptly read it again).
Anyway, I can’t rightly fault the author for writing a book that’s so good that an 8 year old will literally do nothing else BUT sit down and read it. On the other hand I am a bit disappointed to see only two books written by her. I can’t fault her for that either but I’m really struggling to find some-ANY-criticism to put in this review so I’ll settle for: ‘Please, please, write more! You’ve got a huge fan all of 8 years old who’ll read it as soon as you put it to paper, and she’s getting impatient.’
To sum up- and again- this is not my review (aside from my feeling that the cover art is among the cutest things I’ve ever seen), but my niece loved this book so much she read it twice in a week.
Normally, you ought not judge a book by its cover (or, so the old adage goes), but then I saw the absolutely adorable cover of The Hedgehog of Oz advertised on Facebook and since my 8 year old niece has been looking to expand her library I made up a shaky lie to buy it for her under her parents’ nose as any good uncle ought to do.
So, it’s not quite a mistake, and not quite a problem either but the day she got this book she stuck her nose between the covers and kept reading until she didn’t have any more pages to turn. That’s right: my little niece finished this in a single day. I was hoping she’d stretch it out a bit longer since now we’re back to her needing more books to read (although she promptly read it again).
Anyway, I can’t rightly fault the author for writing a book that’s so good that an 8 year old will literally do nothing else BUT sit down and read it. On the other hand I am a bit disappointed to see only two books written by her. I can’t fault her for that either but I’m really struggling to find some-ANY-criticism to put in this review so I’ll settle for: ‘Please, please, write more! You’ve got a huge fan all of 8 years old who’ll read it as soon as you put it to paper, and she’s getting impatient.’
To sum up- and again- this is not my review (aside from my feeling that the cover art is among the cutest things I’ve ever seen), but my niece loved this book so much she read it twice in a week.
May 16, 2021
I have to emphasize Leonardo is a really, really good writer. I am glad she has another book out after her terrific debut, The Simple Art of Flying. But a book that is for much of its length a fairly close retelling of The Wizard of Oz with cute animal characters is out-of-fashion at best and ill-advised at worst. It does deviate towards the end of the book, including a seemingly clear reference (and correction) to Charlotte’s Web and a crib (maybe coincidental) from Finding Dory. Again I want to emphasize that though such things might not be in Leonardo’s best interest as far as critical and commercial success goes, it does show the company she wants to honor and emulate, and that deserves support.
December 28, 2020
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an ARC with #Collabookation. If you have any love for the Wizard of Oz, you will love this story. Little Marcel's adventure to find the Emerald City Theater is one of friendship, compassion, adventure, and trials. Who knew that a little hedgehog could be so endearing? The character development of these characters, all animals, will you feel as if you have been friends with them forever. Available Feb. 2021.
March 22, 2021
What a cute animal adventure with a wizard of oz theme ! Loved it! Too cute! Really well written! If you love animal adventures, you will love this book! Highly recommended!
March 26, 2021
When Marcel is taken from his current home at an old movie theater and dropped in the middle of the forest, he begins the adventure of a lifetime to find his way home. I really liked the cast of characters in this story. A nearsighted hedgehog, wizened squirrel, sling-shot-wielding squirrel, and baby racoon make an unlikely group, but together they each find what "home" is in many different forms. Marcel's story touched my heart and had me emotional at the end. While I am not normally a Wizard of Oz fan, it was an interesting retelling and some of the elements like the "stinky yellow road" were quite clever. I do think the length is long for many of my readers, but for students who love animals or fantasy stories and are looking for a challenge, I will be happy to point them to this book. #LitReviewCrew
October 16, 2022
There isn't much that distinguishes this from the original Wizard of Oz story. It's a bit disappointing for being so formulaic. Ingot's character was by far the best and the most unique. There were a couple scenes that spoke to me and everything else is a bit too cheesy/cut-and-paste.
June 22, 2021
Truly sweet. A unique and lovely retelling. Kids will love it!
February 14, 2021
This book is magical! I love reimagined classics and tales, and this one filled my heart up! So often, though, children are not familiar enough with the original story to make the connections on their own. I really loved that Cory Leonardo leads them along the yellow brick road, helping young readers make the connections. I think it is highly likely that many kids will want to read The Wizard of Oz after reading this, rather than the other way around. Marcel the hedgehog has a seemingly contented life, hiding out with two chickens in an old theater called The Emerald City, watching "The Wizard of Oz" every Saturday afternoon, and scavenging for popcorn and Fruit Gems left behind by moviegoers. When Marcel is caught, removed from the theater, and dumped unceremoniously into the middle of Mousekinland, the journey begins and Marcel himself points out the connections to the Oz story as we begin to unravel his own story before he came to the Emerald City. The premise will draw readers in, but the characters themselves are the heart of this story: Scamp with her big ideas and bold courage; Ingot's gruff kindness and humble leadership; Tuffy's loyalty and affection; and Marcel, who brings out the best in those around him, loves through his own grief, and keeps doing the next right thing.
I laughed out loud and cried my way through a box of kleenex, and loved these characters so much!
As much as it is an homage to the Wizard of Oz, readers do not have to read the original first to enjoy this book, though even long-time fans may want to reread it afterward!
Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the eARC. Opinions are all my own!
I laughed out loud and cried my way through a box of kleenex, and loved these characters so much!
As much as it is an homage to the Wizard of Oz, readers do not have to read the original first to enjoy this book, though even long-time fans may want to reread it afterward!
Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the eARC. Opinions are all my own!
March 23, 2021
I admit it: I’m a sucker for animal stories. I love the fairy-world bits of miniaturism you can add to their stories. (Tiny hats from acorns! Petite homes in tree trunks! I’m all there for it.) I enjoy the fact that animals are automatically diverse, and that I can see myself in, say, a hedgehog, whereas I might feel so different from an English queen or space-age teenage boy that it’s hard to identify–and that an English queen or teenage boy might be able to find themselves in the hedgehog just as well.
I also really love the wild weirdness of The Wizard of Oz. And Cory Leonardo won my devotion in her sweet and funny first book, The Simple Art of Flying. So you know I jumped on the chance to read her newest release, The Hedgehog of Oz, when it was offered on Netgalley.
The story follows a hedgehog named Marcel who lives in an old, beautiful movie theater. He dines on spilled popcorn and fruit gems (strawberry ones are his favorite) and enjoys the camaraderie of two chickens, “Uncle” Henrietta and “Aunty” Hen, that wandered into the theater as well. He lives in hope that one day his human girl Dorothy will come into the theater for a Saturday viewing of their favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz, so he can right the wrong he committed and they can be reunited.
But soon Marcel is thrown into an Oz-worthy adventure of his own, complete with yellow roads, flying beasts, and companions who know a thing or two about brains, heart, and courage. Of course, he must learn–just like Dorothy in the book and film–how to use his own brain, heart, and boldness to make his way back home where he belongs.
As in The Simple Art of Flying, Cory Leonardo proves here that she is a master of character development–especially the type of quirky and lovable characters that I seem to love the best in books for young readers. Marcel is a delightful little hedgehog, but he may be eclipsed in delightfulness by his companions, a scarecrow of a mouse named Scamp, an old squirrel named Ingot, and a baby raccoon called Tuffy. Scamp the mouse, in particular, was a superb character who joins the ranks of Reepicheep of Narnia and Matthias of Redwall as Mice to Remember.
If you don’t love The Wizard of Oz, you may find the overt and frequent references to that book/movie a little much. I did pause a few times during the first half of the book to consider whether even I found them overdone–but I will honestly say that by the second half of the book, Marcel’s story became so compelling on its own that I couldn’t be bothered to consider any longer. I just wanted to see what happened–even if I was pretty sure he was going to end up facing a witch, meeting a good fairy, and ending up with “no place like home.” (He did, and it was perfect.)
I already hand-sold this title to an eight-year-old reader (and her mom) who I happened to see glancing at it at our local bookstore, and I will heartily recommend it here to readers of the 7-10 range most especially, particularly if they like animal stories or Oz! Parents of young but gifted readers will be grateful for a story that is gentle enough for a seven-year-old, yet compelling enough to maintain their interest.
I also really love the wild weirdness of The Wizard of Oz. And Cory Leonardo won my devotion in her sweet and funny first book, The Simple Art of Flying. So you know I jumped on the chance to read her newest release, The Hedgehog of Oz, when it was offered on Netgalley.
The story follows a hedgehog named Marcel who lives in an old, beautiful movie theater. He dines on spilled popcorn and fruit gems (strawberry ones are his favorite) and enjoys the camaraderie of two chickens, “Uncle” Henrietta and “Aunty” Hen, that wandered into the theater as well. He lives in hope that one day his human girl Dorothy will come into the theater for a Saturday viewing of their favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz, so he can right the wrong he committed and they can be reunited.
But soon Marcel is thrown into an Oz-worthy adventure of his own, complete with yellow roads, flying beasts, and companions who know a thing or two about brains, heart, and courage. Of course, he must learn–just like Dorothy in the book and film–how to use his own brain, heart, and boldness to make his way back home where he belongs.
As in The Simple Art of Flying, Cory Leonardo proves here that she is a master of character development–especially the type of quirky and lovable characters that I seem to love the best in books for young readers. Marcel is a delightful little hedgehog, but he may be eclipsed in delightfulness by his companions, a scarecrow of a mouse named Scamp, an old squirrel named Ingot, and a baby raccoon called Tuffy. Scamp the mouse, in particular, was a superb character who joins the ranks of Reepicheep of Narnia and Matthias of Redwall as Mice to Remember.
If you don’t love The Wizard of Oz, you may find the overt and frequent references to that book/movie a little much. I did pause a few times during the first half of the book to consider whether even I found them overdone–but I will honestly say that by the second half of the book, Marcel’s story became so compelling on its own that I couldn’t be bothered to consider any longer. I just wanted to see what happened–even if I was pretty sure he was going to end up facing a witch, meeting a good fairy, and ending up with “no place like home.” (He did, and it was perfect.)
I already hand-sold this title to an eight-year-old reader (and her mom) who I happened to see glancing at it at our local bookstore, and I will heartily recommend it here to readers of the 7-10 range most especially, particularly if they like animal stories or Oz! Parents of young but gifted readers will be grateful for a story that is gentle enough for a seven-year-old, yet compelling enough to maintain their interest.
March 6, 2021
Lovely adventure with adorable animal friends on a quest to find home. For those who feel lost, this story can be a reminder that you are not alone, and that a little bit of hope can go a long way.
July 6, 2021
I loved this retelling of The Wizard of Oz with animals! It was beautiful, full of adventure and wonder, and I couldn't put it down!
June 28, 2022
This is a long but fun read. 300 pages. But the main characters are all animals, though the Hedgehog is yearning for his last owner Dorothy.
Because I'm sure you can read many other reviews and copy about this book, I'll simply point out that the author has understood her audience might not all be as familiar with The Wizard of OZ as some older folks.
She is following the path of that classic throughout her book, perhaps at times shamelessly. However, there is always explanation from the mind of the main character, so a younger reader can follow his reasoning.
Some points of this may be forced a bit, but it makes for a potential jump off to inspire these readers to visit or revisit W of O to inspect more closely. Many teachers may like this.
Because I'm sure you can read many other reviews and copy about this book, I'll simply point out that the author has understood her audience might not all be as familiar with The Wizard of OZ as some older folks.
She is following the path of that classic throughout her book, perhaps at times shamelessly. However, there is always explanation from the mind of the main character, so a younger reader can follow his reasoning.
Some points of this may be forced a bit, but it makes for a potential jump off to inspire these readers to visit or revisit W of O to inspect more closely. Many teachers may like this.
January 2, 2021
I loved this book about Marcel the Hedgehog and his quest to return to the Emerald City theater and his beloved girl, Dorothy. This heartwarming story features fun animal characters on a quest to find home, with resonant themes of friendship and family.
August 27, 2021
First sentence: Tucked between a brick apartment building and a busy corner deli, on a storybook tree-lined street, sits a theater. A run-down but beautiful theater.
Premise/plot: Marcel (our Oz-loving hedgehog) lives at The Emerald City Theater with Auntie Hen and Uncle Henrietta (two chickens). He misses *his* Dorothy--the little girl who gave him a happy, happy home. But that was BEFORE and sometimes it's too painful to think about before. But before readers get properly settled into a routine with Marcel and company, the theater is closed and the animals are rounded up and dumped. Marcel finds himself separated from his chicken friends...and in the woods. Here he'll have to start completely over making new friends...friends that may eventually feel like family...but it's exhausting work being LOST and LONELY and SAD. Where does he go from here? Does he try to get back to the theater in the city? Does he try to find *his* Dorothy (that's not her real name)? Does he make peace with his new circumstances?
My thoughts: I wanted to love, love, love this one. I did. I absolutely love the cover. If I was giving out stars based on the cover alone, I'd give it a five easily. I do typically love animal fantasy. So my hopes were very high.
I didn't quite love, love, love this one. I loved elements of this one. I particularly loved the wisdom of Oona the moth. She has without a doubt some of the best lines of the whole book.
"Oona?" he tried. "Have you come to help me now--help me get back to the theater?"
The moth gave him a sad sort of smile. Her voice was quiet. "No, Marcel. Not in the way you'd like, I'm afraid. What you're asking isn't that easy."
"Oh." At her words, something inside Marcel deflated.
He'd been thinking about something for a little while now. Since he'd lived in the theater, he'd seen an awful lot of movies, and a movie journey was usually pretty easy at first. But somewhere around the middle and all the way to the end, things always got hard if you were one of the characters.
"The rest of the way," he asked Oona. "Do you think it will be dangerous?"
"I don't know, Marcel." Oona's eyes were soft. She thought for a moment. "But maybe we're not meant to. To know, that is. If we knew every turn of the journey before we set out..." she smiled. "Well, I wonder if we'd ever want to take that first step. Or that first flight, if you were me."
and later
"I think you have lost something, Marcel, my hedgehog friend."
He had. He'd lost Dorothy. Lost her forever.
"But I wonder if one of the things you've lost isn't the most important thing you need to find--something you need more than all the rest. Not someone, not somewhere. It's not what you think."
"It's not? But what else is there?" he asked, as Oona stretched out her wings.
"I think you'll find it," she said simply. "Sometimes you can't know what you've lost until it's sitting right there in front of you."
and much, much later
"Marcel, don't you know?"
He shook his head. What else was there to know?
Oona gave him a small smile. "We're all a little lost before we're found."
Marcel stopped crying. He sniffled. "We are?" he asked shakily.
"Oh yes. I think so. But I'm sorry you're lost. I'll help you if I can."
Marcel shook his head. "You can't. But thank you. Just being here is enough."
The moth's face changed then, and she looked at him intently. "Marcel, do you believe?"
"Believe what?" he asked.
"Marcel," she repeated. "Do you believe?"
Marcel knew what she was asking. Did he believe he could be found.
Marcel meets a handful of other animals (a mouse, a raccoon, a squirrel) who join him on his journey-quest. And the quest is DANGEROUS. There's even an "evil witch"....not really...but they embrace the concept of the OWLS being evil witches.
One of my favorite quotes from the book: Loss always breaks you. But love--even love that spans miles and time--finds a way to mend the broken places.
So what didn't work for me? I had a hard time suspending my disbelief 100%. It stretches your belief to extremes to get to that super-super happy ending. I don't know if this would have bothered me if I was a kid.
BUT that's a whole other issue. I've mentioned before--and even just recently--that I was a super super sensitive reader as a kid. And if a book even looked remotely that it had a death in it, I would have avoided it completely. This book LOOKS like it would be safe. But it ISN'T. It really isn't. NOT all the animals you meet survive the journey. In other words, you get attached to characters that may DIE all so that Marcel can get a chance at a happy ending.
And then there's the whole issue of OWLS.
Premise/plot: Marcel (our Oz-loving hedgehog) lives at The Emerald City Theater with Auntie Hen and Uncle Henrietta (two chickens). He misses *his* Dorothy--the little girl who gave him a happy, happy home. But that was BEFORE and sometimes it's too painful to think about before. But before readers get properly settled into a routine with Marcel and company, the theater is closed and the animals are rounded up and dumped. Marcel finds himself separated from his chicken friends...and in the woods. Here he'll have to start completely over making new friends...friends that may eventually feel like family...but it's exhausting work being LOST and LONELY and SAD. Where does he go from here? Does he try to get back to the theater in the city? Does he try to find *his* Dorothy (that's not her real name)? Does he make peace with his new circumstances?
My thoughts: I wanted to love, love, love this one. I did. I absolutely love the cover. If I was giving out stars based on the cover alone, I'd give it a five easily. I do typically love animal fantasy. So my hopes were very high.
I didn't quite love, love, love this one. I loved elements of this one. I particularly loved the wisdom of Oona the moth. She has without a doubt some of the best lines of the whole book.
"Oona?" he tried. "Have you come to help me now--help me get back to the theater?"
The moth gave him a sad sort of smile. Her voice was quiet. "No, Marcel. Not in the way you'd like, I'm afraid. What you're asking isn't that easy."
"Oh." At her words, something inside Marcel deflated.
He'd been thinking about something for a little while now. Since he'd lived in the theater, he'd seen an awful lot of movies, and a movie journey was usually pretty easy at first. But somewhere around the middle and all the way to the end, things always got hard if you were one of the characters.
"The rest of the way," he asked Oona. "Do you think it will be dangerous?"
"I don't know, Marcel." Oona's eyes were soft. She thought for a moment. "But maybe we're not meant to. To know, that is. If we knew every turn of the journey before we set out..." she smiled. "Well, I wonder if we'd ever want to take that first step. Or that first flight, if you were me."
and later
"I think you have lost something, Marcel, my hedgehog friend."
He had. He'd lost Dorothy. Lost her forever.
"But I wonder if one of the things you've lost isn't the most important thing you need to find--something you need more than all the rest. Not someone, not somewhere. It's not what you think."
"It's not? But what else is there?" he asked, as Oona stretched out her wings.
"I think you'll find it," she said simply. "Sometimes you can't know what you've lost until it's sitting right there in front of you."
and much, much later
"Marcel, don't you know?"
He shook his head. What else was there to know?
Oona gave him a small smile. "We're all a little lost before we're found."
Marcel stopped crying. He sniffled. "We are?" he asked shakily.
"Oh yes. I think so. But I'm sorry you're lost. I'll help you if I can."
Marcel shook his head. "You can't. But thank you. Just being here is enough."
The moth's face changed then, and she looked at him intently. "Marcel, do you believe?"
"Believe what?" he asked.
"Marcel," she repeated. "Do you believe?"
Marcel knew what she was asking. Did he believe he could be found.
Marcel meets a handful of other animals (a mouse, a raccoon, a squirrel) who join him on his journey-quest. And the quest is DANGEROUS. There's even an "evil witch"....not really...but they embrace the concept of the OWLS being evil witches.
One of my favorite quotes from the book: Loss always breaks you. But love--even love that spans miles and time--finds a way to mend the broken places.
So what didn't work for me? I had a hard time suspending my disbelief 100%. It stretches your belief to extremes to get to that super-super happy ending. I don't know if this would have bothered me if I was a kid.
BUT that's a whole other issue. I've mentioned before--and even just recently--that I was a super super sensitive reader as a kid. And if a book even looked remotely that it had a death in it, I would have avoided it completely. This book LOOKS like it would be safe. But it ISN'T. It really isn't. NOT all the animals you meet survive the journey. In other words, you get attached to characters that may DIE all so that Marcel can get a chance at a happy ending.
And then there's the whole issue of OWLS.
February 14, 2021
The Hedgehog of Oz was a whimsical, fun and heartwarming story! It's a story of friendship, family and courage.
Marcel is a hedgehog who has been passed around because a kid things they want him but then they don't because he is a little prickly. Then he meets Dorothy his latest owner and thought he had found a real home. She would take him to the theater and they would watch all sorts of movies but their favorite was The Wizard of Oz.
Then one day she meets a boy and Marcel gets it in his head (with the help of a bird) that he is not as wanted and once you leave the nest you can never go back, etc. He leaves her backpack one day and before he knew it he was lost and he felt it really was true that you can never go back. He now lives in the Emerald City Theater where he meets two hens, he calls them Aunt Hen and Uncle Henrietta (for Aunt Em and Uncle Henry from The Wizard of Oz).
Things were going good there for him and the two hens until one day something terrible happens, the theater is closed down and he is rounded up and put in a crate and dumped out in the middle of nowhere. His crate is tossed and it tumbles down a hill right into Mouskinland! :) His crate has done them a big favor as it landed on the nasty milk snake that was stalking the poor little mice.
You can pretty much see where this is going. He wants to go back the the theater to his two hen friends and along the way he meets a few friends to help him. First there is Scamp a feisty young mouse who is always full of ideas but they get her into a lot of trouble. Maybe sometimes she just doesn't use her brain as she should. She think she can get him back home especially if they follow the yellow stinky water (ends up being yellow paint). As they travel they have to keep an eye open for the Wickedwing a very scary Owl everyone calls a witch. When they hid from it they meet Ingot a grump ole squirrel whose heart is a bit rusty because he has had some sad things happen to him. As they travel they again meet someone who growls at them because he is scared and trying to be brave. Tuffy is a baby raccoon who sort of met the same fate as Marcel and was taken from the city and his family in a car and dumped. So he wants to travel with them and find his parents.
It's not an easy journey and along the way they have obstacle that they have to get around, not only just the Wickedwing but some nasty rats, scary trees, etc.
I loved all the characters in this book except of course for the bad Owl and rats! I think out of all of them Tuffy was my favorite as he just sounded so cute!
It was such a fun story that was very similar to Wizard of Oz but also different enough to be its own fun little story about a group who form a friendship and help each other as they journey to the city to find the Emerald Theater. It had a bit sadder ending that I had anticipated but overall I really had a lot of fun with this cute story centered around these adorable animals! My only complaint is I wish there was illustrations. I kind of hope there would be some in the final product as it would have been so cute to see pictures of their adventures.
I think kids and adults alike will enjoy this one!
Marcel is a hedgehog who has been passed around because a kid things they want him but then they don't because he is a little prickly. Then he meets Dorothy his latest owner and thought he had found a real home. She would take him to the theater and they would watch all sorts of movies but their favorite was The Wizard of Oz.
Then one day she meets a boy and Marcel gets it in his head (with the help of a bird) that he is not as wanted and once you leave the nest you can never go back, etc. He leaves her backpack one day and before he knew it he was lost and he felt it really was true that you can never go back. He now lives in the Emerald City Theater where he meets two hens, he calls them Aunt Hen and Uncle Henrietta (for Aunt Em and Uncle Henry from The Wizard of Oz).
Things were going good there for him and the two hens until one day something terrible happens, the theater is closed down and he is rounded up and put in a crate and dumped out in the middle of nowhere. His crate is tossed and it tumbles down a hill right into Mouskinland! :) His crate has done them a big favor as it landed on the nasty milk snake that was stalking the poor little mice.
You can pretty much see where this is going. He wants to go back the the theater to his two hen friends and along the way he meets a few friends to help him. First there is Scamp a feisty young mouse who is always full of ideas but they get her into a lot of trouble. Maybe sometimes she just doesn't use her brain as she should. She think she can get him back home especially if they follow the yellow stinky water (ends up being yellow paint). As they travel they have to keep an eye open for the Wickedwing a very scary Owl everyone calls a witch. When they hid from it they meet Ingot a grump ole squirrel whose heart is a bit rusty because he has had some sad things happen to him. As they travel they again meet someone who growls at them because he is scared and trying to be brave. Tuffy is a baby raccoon who sort of met the same fate as Marcel and was taken from the city and his family in a car and dumped. So he wants to travel with them and find his parents.
It's not an easy journey and along the way they have obstacle that they have to get around, not only just the Wickedwing but some nasty rats, scary trees, etc.
I loved all the characters in this book except of course for the bad Owl and rats! I think out of all of them Tuffy was my favorite as he just sounded so cute!
It was such a fun story that was very similar to Wizard of Oz but also different enough to be its own fun little story about a group who form a friendship and help each other as they journey to the city to find the Emerald Theater. It had a bit sadder ending that I had anticipated but overall I really had a lot of fun with this cute story centered around these adorable animals! My only complaint is I wish there was illustrations. I kind of hope there would be some in the final product as it would have been so cute to see pictures of their adventures.
I think kids and adults alike will enjoy this one!
March 9, 2022
I’ve been a loyal fan of Land of Oz since my early childhood years. When I first heard about this book, I just knew I had to read it because it had the same elements as L. Frank Baum’s original story did. Elements that I always loved with all my heart & boy this book sure didn’t disappoint me. Upon first opening this wonderful book I found a story full of relatable animals, adventure, excitement, thrills, friendship, hope and a wee bit of danger also.
The reader first meets Marcel, a glasses wearing hedgehog, who had become utterly lost and found a new home in the Emerald City Theater. Also living in the theater are two twin chickens named Auntie Hen and Uncle Henrietta. This trio of animals survives on dropped popcorn, candy and a dripping soda machine. Marcel’s favorite thing about living in the theater is every Saturday there’s a showing of the movie: The Wizard of Oz. This movie is special to Marcel, because it reminds him of the home he lost & his beloved owner.
Then one day, the old theater suddenly closes for good. Before Marcel knows what’s happening, he is caught in a box & taken very far away from everything he knows. Once again, Marcel finds himself lost – only this time he is truly lost, in a forest he knows nothing about. After finding some courage, Marcel begins a journey to return to the Emerald City Theater. Along the way, Marcel makes four amazing friends & has tons of adventures – just like Dorothy did on her journey to return to Kansas.
This is such an amazing, fascinating story that I don’t want to spoil it too much for new readers – so I’ll leave my review right here. If you want to know what happens to Marcel and his new friends, pick up a copy of this book today.
The reader first meets Marcel, a glasses wearing hedgehog, who had become utterly lost and found a new home in the Emerald City Theater. Also living in the theater are two twin chickens named Auntie Hen and Uncle Henrietta. This trio of animals survives on dropped popcorn, candy and a dripping soda machine. Marcel’s favorite thing about living in the theater is every Saturday there’s a showing of the movie: The Wizard of Oz. This movie is special to Marcel, because it reminds him of the home he lost & his beloved owner.
Then one day, the old theater suddenly closes for good. Before Marcel knows what’s happening, he is caught in a box & taken very far away from everything he knows. Once again, Marcel finds himself lost – only this time he is truly lost, in a forest he knows nothing about. After finding some courage, Marcel begins a journey to return to the Emerald City Theater. Along the way, Marcel makes four amazing friends & has tons of adventures – just like Dorothy did on her journey to return to Kansas.
This is such an amazing, fascinating story that I don’t want to spoil it too much for new readers – so I’ll leave my review right here. If you want to know what happens to Marcel and his new friends, pick up a copy of this book today.
April 23, 2021
A woodland-creature version of The Wizard of Oz! What a jolly rendition too. Squirrels, racoons, and mice! Oh my!
Marcel is a good-natured little hedgehog who wears eyeglasses and lives in a movie theater with two chickens. He loves to watch his favorite film, The Wizard of Oz, every Saturday. His like gets shaken up when he finds himself tossed into the forest and must rely on the help of newfound friends to guide him back to where he belongs.
Comical writing, hilarious comebacks, excellent timing, heartwarming scenes. I love how the characters are so well-defined; the author took inspiration from The Wizard of Oz characters and transformed them into new creatures in such a newly relatable yet creative way.
The symbolism and poetic wordflow is simply remarkable. Adults can enjoy the deeper meanings hidden within the wisely crafted sentences, while kids will gleefully soak in the imaginative scenes, bright dialogue, and relatable (furry) characters.
Both boys and girls will enjoy this jolly adventure.
An excellent choice for kids who are adopted or being fostered (or if you have pets in the family via those sources). There's truly no place like home.
Word of caution: The topic of death appears in this story. A favorite character dies; another one mentions their time is short.
Recommended for: Kids (or any age of Wizard of Oz fan)
Suitable for: Ages 9 & up
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest opinion.
Marcel is a good-natured little hedgehog who wears eyeglasses and lives in a movie theater with two chickens. He loves to watch his favorite film, The Wizard of Oz, every Saturday. His like gets shaken up when he finds himself tossed into the forest and must rely on the help of newfound friends to guide him back to where he belongs.
Comical writing, hilarious comebacks, excellent timing, heartwarming scenes. I love how the characters are so well-defined; the author took inspiration from The Wizard of Oz characters and transformed them into new creatures in such a newly relatable yet creative way.
The symbolism and poetic wordflow is simply remarkable. Adults can enjoy the deeper meanings hidden within the wisely crafted sentences, while kids will gleefully soak in the imaginative scenes, bright dialogue, and relatable (furry) characters.
Both boys and girls will enjoy this jolly adventure.
An excellent choice for kids who are adopted or being fostered (or if you have pets in the family via those sources). There's truly no place like home.
Word of caution: The topic of death appears in this story. A favorite character dies; another one mentions their time is short.
Recommended for: Kids (or any age of Wizard of Oz fan)
Suitable for: Ages 9 & up
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest opinion.
November 14, 2022
What a wonderful play on the classic Wizard of Oz movie/book! All the characters are there, but this time in mostly animal form such as a Hedgehog without a home, a brave mouse, a cranky but ultimately kind squirrel, a wise moth, not so brave baby raccoon, and two hilarious hens with all sorts of other supporting forest characters. Marcel, the hedgehog is separated from his Dorothy and wants nothing but to find her again, but continues to be separated by quests and troubles. Those adventures and search for solutions will keep middle grade readers turning the pages, anxious to see how it all plays out. Along the way, the vivid descriptions will allow them to easily picture the changing settings using all their senses. ELA teachers could easily use this novel as a class read aloud to teach not only excellent sensory language but character development and changes over time. As a read aloud, 2nd and 3rd graders would enjoy this one and independent reading for those in 4th-6th grade. However, the length may be off-putting so teachers, librarians, and other care-givers may need to encourage some that the vocabulary is likely to be very approachable for most of them. No profanity or sexual content and violence is extremely tame and completely bloodless except for one character’s leg wound.
Thanks for hosting a Twitter giveaway for your excellent book, Cory Leonardo!
Thanks for hosting a Twitter giveaway for your excellent book, Cory Leonardo!
February 27, 2021
I read this animal main character for the #BitAboutBooks Winter reading Challenge and LOVED the animals and their adventures as try to help each other find home. Marcel is the sweetest main character; as a hedgehog he has fears but he is a leader as he watches over his friends (hens) Aunt Hen and Uncle Henrietta scavenge for food in his beloved Emerald City Theatre. When his world is crashed; men chasing them and Marcel loosing his friends and being spirited away in a truck, all Marcel wants to do is go home. The reader learns he had a wonderful owner, Dorothy, who took him to the movies and took the best care of him, until a boy comes around and Marcel thinks he has been forgotten. I loved Leonardo's worldbuilding--thrill tingling adventure abounds in the movie theatre and the woods, as Marcel makes friends with Oma the moth, Scamp the tiny but heroic mouse, crusty older Ingot the squirrel, and mighty baby raccoon, Tuffy. Middle grade readers will love these animals/pets and their friendships, loyalty, and courage as they search for "home" family and friends. A must read!
February 24, 2021
Oh my goodness, all the feels! This whimsical middle-grade book reminded me exactly why I love books in which animals are the main characters. And it connects beautifully with one of my favorite movies, “The Wizard of Oz”.
This is the story of Marcel the Hedgehog and his journey to find his owner who just happens to be a 12-year-old girl named Dorothy. Through a series of events he teams up with Scamp, a tiny mouse, an old gray squirrel named Ingot, and Tuffy a baby raccoon who is anything but tough.
The Hedgehog of Oz is a story of adventure, friendship and hope and is filled throughout with little nuggets of wisdom, “Sometimes you can’t know what you’ve lost until it’s sitting right there in front of you.”
For students who have never read “The Wizard of Oz” or seen the movie, it would be great to help them build a little background knowledge in order to enjoy this book even more, but certainly not necessary.
This is the story of Marcel the Hedgehog and his journey to find his owner who just happens to be a 12-year-old girl named Dorothy. Through a series of events he teams up with Scamp, a tiny mouse, an old gray squirrel named Ingot, and Tuffy a baby raccoon who is anything but tough.
The Hedgehog of Oz is a story of adventure, friendship and hope and is filled throughout with little nuggets of wisdom, “Sometimes you can’t know what you’ve lost until it’s sitting right there in front of you.”
For students who have never read “The Wizard of Oz” or seen the movie, it would be great to help them build a little background knowledge in order to enjoy this book even more, but certainly not necessary.
October 13, 2023
I had just finished reading a short true crime book so I needed something light and fun to read. As a former teacher I love to keep up with recent works for the elementary level students. This was a great book for this age. A little hedgehog named Marcel lives in a town named Emerald City in a building that is used as a movie theater. This book follows along the lines of The Wizard of Oz, Marcel’s favorite movie. When he is caught in the theater, Marcel is boxed up and taken out to the forest to never return. His main goal, however, is to find his way back to Emerald City. Marcel meets a very determined little mouse, a grouchy old squirrel, a scared raccoon, and a dangerous owl along the way. The characters are so interesting as the animals work together to defend themselves against the owl and help Marcel find his way back home. This would be a great teacher read aloud for their class. I’d definitely recommend this book.
April 10, 2024
I bought this on a whim, needing a break from my usual reads. Why not a spoof of The Wizard of Oz?
It took me a while to get into it. Come to find out, I was the problem in I could only read a chapter at a time. Once I could actually read it, I devoured the book. What an emotional range! I was unprepared to cry, but cry I did by the end, getting too attached to the characters (it happens).
In short, Marcel the Hedgehog is lost from his Dorothy. Then he is lost from his hens. Trying to get home, he meets and befriends a cocoon, a moth, a mouse, a squirrel , and a raccoon, each lost in their own way. They form a ragtag team, eventually healing and forming a family within themselves without realizing it as the journey continues.
The journey is different for each member. How do the journeys end?
Read the book, pick a star, make a wish, and eat some popcorn.
It took me a while to get into it. Come to find out, I was the problem in I could only read a chapter at a time. Once I could actually read it, I devoured the book. What an emotional range! I was unprepared to cry, but cry I did by the end, getting too attached to the characters (it happens).
In short, Marcel the Hedgehog is lost from his Dorothy. Then he is lost from his hens. Trying to get home, he meets and befriends a cocoon, a moth, a mouse, a squirrel , and a raccoon, each lost in their own way. They form a ragtag team, eventually healing and forming a family within themselves without realizing it as the journey continues.
The journey is different for each member. How do the journeys end?
Read the book, pick a star, make a wish, and eat some popcorn.
July 9, 2024
This book looks adorable and at times it is, but if you are expecting just a sweet, happy adventure with a smattering of danger you’ll be taken by surprise. It’s not a book for sensitive kids. I also didn’t really like any of the characters except one that you don’t meet until pretty far into the book. There’s also some weirdness with two hens being named Auntie Hen and Uncle Henrietta (after Auntie Em and Uncle Henry). They call each other “sister” so I don’t think there was any agenda being pushed there, but it was confusing to read Uncle Henrietta being referred to as “she” and it took me a bit to figure it all out. I gave it three stars because it’s fairly well written, but I just don’t enjoy this genre of book.
CC: death (including of a main character), an owl referred to as the witch
CC: death (including of a main character), an owl referred to as the witch
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2022
This is a great book for fans of The Wizard of Oz film. A little hedgehog is a huge lover of the Judy Garland movie because he lives at a movie theater that plays the film each week for guests. It isn't until our main character is lost and needs to return home. Along the way, we meet a raccoon, a squirrel, and a rat who are all trying to survive a vicious owl.
I really enjoyed this book but I did get a bit annoyed with all the Wizard of Oz references and quotes. If a kid had never seen the film then these references won't really mean anything. Kids might just think this was just an original story. However, this book has a lot of heart and there is even a sad moment that surprised me, but it made the story more impactful.
I really enjoyed this book but I did get a bit annoyed with all the Wizard of Oz references and quotes. If a kid had never seen the film then these references won't really mean anything. Kids might just think this was just an original story. However, this book has a lot of heart and there is even a sad moment that surprised me, but it made the story more impactful.
February 6, 2021
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
It was the adorable cover of this book that initially drew me to it, and I was very intrigued by the premise and the parallel to The Wizard of Oz. Although I'm generally not a fan of anthropomorphic stories, I though this one was done very well, and will be a crowd pleaser, although its length will limit its readership in my library.
I'd recommend this story for kids who are young, strong readers looking for a book that will challenge them without the mature content that often comes along with that; I would have given this book to my avid reader at 7 or 8 who loved an immersive fantasy story.
It was the adorable cover of this book that initially drew me to it, and I was very intrigued by the premise and the parallel to The Wizard of Oz. Although I'm generally not a fan of anthropomorphic stories, I though this one was done very well, and will be a crowd pleaser, although its length will limit its readership in my library.
I'd recommend this story for kids who are young, strong readers looking for a book that will challenge them without the mature content that often comes along with that; I would have given this book to my avid reader at 7 or 8 who loved an immersive fantasy story.
May 15, 2021
In this delightful retelling of The Wizard of Oz, Marcel the hedgehog and his small band of friends romp through the land of "Oz" to make thir way home. The cast of characters and plot really drew me in as Marcel and his companions go through events that illustrate themes like friendship, loss, perseverance, and the importance of family. What I was expecting to be a simple and light read turned out to be sweet, emotional, and poignant. As a fan of the classic movie, I really loved the way Leonardo reimagined Oz's characters and storyline. I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys The Wizard of Oz, younger and older readers alike.
July 22, 2022
3.5
After Marcel (a hedgehog) finds himself being taken away from the movie theater he's called home, he embarks on a mission to get back to the theater. On his trip he meets some new friends - a cocoon, a mouse, a squirrel, and a raccoon. They find themselves on many adventures, including dodging an evil owl, along their quest.
A cute take on The Wizard of Oz, which also happens to be Marcel's favorite movie. Each character matches one from The Wizard of Oz and each of their unique personalities shine through. Perfect for kids who love to read about anthropomorphized animals.
After Marcel (a hedgehog) finds himself being taken away from the movie theater he's called home, he embarks on a mission to get back to the theater. On his trip he meets some new friends - a cocoon, a mouse, a squirrel, and a raccoon. They find themselves on many adventures, including dodging an evil owl, along their quest.
A cute take on The Wizard of Oz, which also happens to be Marcel's favorite movie. Each character matches one from The Wizard of Oz and each of their unique personalities shine through. Perfect for kids who love to read about anthropomorphized animals.
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