A Place to Call Home

Our Friend Hedgehog #2

by Lauren Castillo

From the Caldecott Honor-winning author of Our Friend The Story of Us comes a warm-hearted story about the meaning of home and the power of friendship to help you become your truest self.

Families come in all shapes and sizes.
S ometimes they are joined by birth, and other times they are chosen...

Autumn leaves are falling in Hedge Hollow, and the change in season brings with it a spiny surprise... another hedgehog! Is it friend or foe? Or is it . . . family?

On the one paw, Hedgehog is excited to meet one of her own kind, but on the other paw, she has never felt so different—or distant—from her old friends. Where does Hedgehog belong, and who does she belong with ? A journey upriver through an unfamiliar forest just might lead her home…

From the award-winning author-illustrator of Our Friend The Story of Us comes a tale of old friends and new, and the true meaning of home.

Genres: Friendship, Animals, Chapter Books, Fiction, Juvenile, Family, Fantasy

144 pages, Hardcover

Published October 18, 2022

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

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Between the great forests, in the center of the river, on a teeny-tiny island, lived two dear friends: Hedgehog and Mutty."

Hedgehog no longer lives alone on her island with Mutty, instead she's surrounded by her wonderful friends - Mole, Owl, Beaver, Hen and Chicks, and Annika Mae.

Autumn is here as seen by the bright bold leaves that decorate the landscape - but after Autumn comes Winter and she's so excited to go tubing, have snowball fights, and especially to make a snowhog!

Until then the first snow, Hedgehog is excited to spend time with her friends to build a hideout - even if Beaver tends to take over the building aspect and refuse to let others help.

"A hammer and two nails!" Beaver called from inside the fort. "Helloooo? Annika Mae. I need the hammer and nails NOW!"

But then Hedgehog spots something very, very strange.

"Something...spiny. Something...something...much too familiar. Was it...? Hedgehog grabbed Mutty and ran as fast as she could to Owl's. She didn't look back even once."

It's a doppleganger - a being that looks exactly like Hedgehog! Hedgehog isn't sure if she likes this but after a bit of a kerfuffle, the friends realize that the hedgehogs are gathering to all hibernate through the winter at a camp.

Hedgehog needs to decide - should she hibernate with her own kind? Or spend the winter with her friends?

This was a pretty good follow-up to the first book - as before, I loved the theme of found families and thought all the anthropomorphic animals were really fun.

I like the gentle art style of this book - it feels very soothing to watch the characters learn and discover.

That being said, I do wish we would have gotten a bit more personality for some of the side characters. They are leaning a little one-note at the moment but perhaps future books will expand upon that.

Additionally, I was a bit curious about how Hedgehog has lived this long without realizing that she should be hibernating? Or that there are other hedgehogs in the world? Surely she had a mother at some point, right? I am curious to see if the author will explain that as well.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

heartwarming children's story with delightful pictures

[Melanie Duvic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book was perfect for the younger elementary grade levels. This short book is a tale of old friends and new and the true meaning of home. I think it would be perfect for the first day of school to encourage children that even if a friend looks differently on the outside, they can still be family in your heart. This happened to Hedgehog when he left Hedge Hideaway with all of the other hedgehogs to be back with his friends that he felt more at home with. This has such a powerful message for young children to understand and relate to. It also included some words like doppelgänger and hibernate with short definitions to broaden a child's vocabulary, which I really liked as well. Overall, this is a heart warming story about the meaning of home and the power of friendship to help you become your truest self!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, this illustrated story is a 3.5 for me, close to a 4.0, and it's sure to become a classic. I liked it even more on a second read. Readers will hope that author/illustrator Lauren Castillo will consider this animal-filled series since the plots are relatable and the characters simply charming in every way. In this follow-up to Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us, Hedgehog sees another animal that looks just like her for the very first time while wandering through the forest. Curious and wondering whether she might belong with others similar to her, Hedgehog travels down the river with some of her animal friends to see if that might be the case. Once they arrive at Hedge Hideaway, filled with lodges and other hedgehogs preparing for a long hibernation during the winter months This tender story of a created, chosen family consisting of a girl named Annika Mae, Hedgehog, Mutty, Mole, Owl, Beaver, Hen, and Chicks is touching. It's hard to be separated from her friends, but Hedgehog figures that maybe she needs to follow the lead of the other hedgehogs. After all, they have a lot in common, don't they? Even though the others are friendly and make her feel welcome as they feast on various fruits and vegetables, they don't like snow or know how to build a snowhog, something Hedgehog dearly loves. The author describes this effectively so that readers know what Hedgehog is going to do next: "Every hedgehog sounded so happy to sleep through the entire winter. They would miss snowball fights, snow tubing, and most important of all, snowhogs. Hedgehog could not imagine sleeping through all that! These hedgehogs might be made of the same spines and snouts, but their hearts spoke different languages" (p. 99). After spending the night in her new lodge, Hedgehog awakens to snow, leaves a leaf-and-twig map for the others so that they can visit her when the temperatures warm up again, and follows her heart back to her true home. When she arrives, it's just in time to build a snowhog for the very first time and be present for the opening of the newly-renovated Friend Fort, complete with gifts for everyone. As Owl reads from one of the books in their new library, the friends listen in their cozy shelter, suffused with happiness and a sense of belonging. After all, as the story concludes, "They might look different on the outside, but in their hears, they were family" (p. 128). The book contains an important message about family and belonging, and its illustrations, created with pen, pencils, watercolor, and Photoshop, depict the setting and the characters perfectly. There is much variety in the artwork too since some pages contain spot illustrations, and others are double-page spreads of nature's beauty as autumn starts turning to winter and of the fort where the friends hang out. This one is a great read aloud choice for sharing with youngsters at any time of the year, but particularly during the seasonal changes.

[Emma Detweiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Friend Hedgehog is a delightful book about friendship and finding where we fit into our community. The illustrations and mellow colors bring a warm and comforting feeling that remind one of old fairytales read during childhood. From the very first page, we are presented with the main message of this book which is, "Together we are like family. Together we are home." We meet Hedgehog and his friends, whom the story revolves around when Hedgehog sets out on his journey. Owl, Hen, Annika Mae, Beaver, Mole, and his stuffed animal Mutty are all very important characters as Hedgehog discovers what home and family means to him. This book and its message of creating your own definition of home and family would be wonderful to share with young students. The writing is simple enough for students beginning early chapter books to understand on their own. However, it would be a great opportunity to read this book in a whole class setting to apply this book's message to your students and class as a community, especially during the first few weeks of school.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in absolute awe of this book and series for early chapter book readers. What a clever and intelligent story that any parent would enjoy reading to young children or for 2nd-4th graders to read on their own. The chapter format allows for more complex storylines and I absolutely loved Hedgehog learning about doppelgangers and his time at the Hideaway while Annika Mae and Hen were still working on the gang's hideaway together back near home. The illustrations are charming and so lovely.

I look foward to more adventures and for this wonderful series to continue. I would highly recommend for school and public libraries. It is a great family bedtime read aloud!

[Cloud · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second Hedgehog book. It's cute. It's got nice, small, well-illustrated chapters. My daughter didn't seem to be really into it tho.

I'm not in love with this series, but I am glad that it exists and is out there. I know of other kids in the 4-5 age bracket who loved this, so it may just be us.

If you kid is into wild animals that talk and have a human friend and has very light "plot" or "danger" this may be good for your kiddos!

[Tara Sypien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is adorable! My 7 yo son loves it as a read aloud!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! It was cute.
-My 7 and 4 year olds.

[Sarah Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adorable children’s chapter book tells the story of a Hedgehog that we can all relate to in some way, shape, or form. It does a great job of giving elementary students a prime example of how families do not always look the same and can be different for everyone. This book tells the story of a hedgehog who has never seen one of her kind before. When Hedgehog runs into another hedgehog for the first time, she is shocked and confused. Her immediate response is to go to her friends Mole, Owl, Beaver, Hen and chicks, and Annika Mae for guidance. Hedgehog attempts to hibernate and fit in with her fellow hedgehogs at Grandhog’s hedge hideaway. While she attempts to do so, we see the other characters work to make a friend fort where they can read and have fun together. As Hedgehog spends time at hedge hideaway, we see that she does not quite fit in and can’t relate to her fellow hedgehogs. She has exciting and fun experiences with snow and the cold and has never hibernated, while the other hedgehogs have the exact opposite experiences. Ultimately, Hedgehog finds herself leaving the hibernation resort to be back with her friends in their new friend fort. Though Hedgehog has her differences with the other hedgehogs, we still see her open to forming a relationship with them as she leaves a trail for them to follow to find her when they wake up from hibernation. Though each of the characters may not be the same or look the same, they still feel at home and fit in best together. This book truly shows how the saying, “Home is where the heart is” can be true. Though they are all unique and have their own personality, the animals all feel at home with each other. As the book says, “They may look different on the outside, but in their hearts, they were family” (p.128). I think this is a great model for people of all ages to see and recognize how family can have different meanings and may not be your biological family. The style of the book and the fact that the characters are talking animals with one human child brought me back to my own childhood experience of reading Winnie the Pooh. The illustrations alone in this book are sure to keep readers of any age captivated and reading. They do a fantastic job of helping young readers truly visualize the important moments throughout the book. This book is a great way to get young readers thinking about how they can make an image like the images in this text when they read without having one visually there for them. Overall, I really liked this book and think that it would be great for kids who are starting the move from picture books to chapter books.

[Brandi Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and would love to share it with others. The book opens with "Families come in all shapes and sizes. sometimes they are joined by birth, and other times they are chosen." The family in this book consist of Hedgehog, Mutty (a stuffed animal), Mole, Owl, Beaver, Hen, Chicks, and a girl named Anika Mae. Each animal has roles or special talents they bring to the family. Beaver is a skilled builder, Owl reads stories to everyone, Hen is great at finding things, Anika Mae is the interior designer or their home. Hedgehog stumbles upon a doppelganger on her way to Owl's read aloud and is startled. First she runs off but then begins to think maybe it would be nice to have a large hedgehog family. With the help of her animal friends, Hedgehog finds Hedge Hideaway. Here she encounters other hedgehogs preparing for hibernation, a tradition Hedgehog was unaware of. She finds that though these hedgehogs look like her, their desires are much different. They do not share her love of snow or winter activities, but instead are happy to sleep through the winter. At first Hedgehog feels the need to join in on this hibernation and assumes it is where she belongs. She cannot contain her excitement of the first snowfall and immediately returns to her chosen family forgoing the hibernation. She leaves behind a map in hopes her new hedgehog friends can find her after the hibernation. She returns home to her welcoming friends, a warm scarf from Anika Mae, and a fort large enough to seat the whole family during Owl's readings. The book ends reminding us "They might look different on the outside, but in their hearts, they were family." This is something many kids could relate to whether coming from a blended family or having a friend group with variety. The multi-language phrases throughout the book also bring in diversity. The book uses the word friend in English, Italian, Japanese, and Zulu. We also see words/ phrases in French, Spanish, and German. I also loved the simple drawings. The illustration looks as though they were drawn with crayons. The colors of the autumn trees are lovely. I also loved the map at the beginning of the book to help visualize Hedgehogs journey. Hedgehog has blushed cheeks to help us identify her from the other hedgehogs appearing later in the book. This book has a great message on what makes a family to be a family you don't have to look the same or be related, a family can be chosen.

[Tiffany Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our Friend Hedgehog: A Place to Call Home" is a charming and heartwarming children's book written by Lauren Castillo. The story follows Hedgehog, who is searching for a place to call home. Along the way, Hedgehog meets a variety of woodland creatures, including a rabbit, a beaver, and a fox, who all offer to help Hedgehog in their own unique way. I enjoyed this book as it offers a clear and powerful message about the importance of friendship, kindness, and acceptance. Through Hedgehog's journey, he is able to learn that finding a home is actually where we actually feel belonged and want to be. "They might look different on the outside, but in their hearts, they were family." Family doesn't always have to be others that look like us but rather, the bond that we share with others. One feature of this book that makes it special is the lovely illustrations. The use of watercolors gives it a soft impression and delicate lines made with pen and pencils create a whimsical and cozy atmosphere that complements well with the story. The writing is easy for young readers to understand, which would be a great opportunity to read to students in a whole class setting and establish the idea of a community, especially during the first few weeks of school.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Between the great forests, in the center of the river, on a teeny-tiny island, lived two dear friends: Hedgehog and Mutty.

Premise/plot: Our Friend Hedgehog: A Place to Call Home is the follow up to Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us. The first book established the characters [and setting]. The second book explores the meaning of home, family, and belonging. Hedgehog, our heroine, is super-excited about winter. She is excited to build a hedgehog out of snow, to have snowball fights, to play with her newfound friends. But an unexpected encounter with another hedgehog has her rethinking her life. Does she belong with her found-family of friends? Or does she belong with others of her kind? Should she feel more a sense of belonging with other hedgehogs?

My thoughts: I really am enjoying this series very much. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the illustrations. The characters are well done. I wouldn't mind a couple more books in this series. I'm sure the love will only increase the more adventures we have. I love how her friends come together to help, support, and encourage. Slowly but surely other characters are being explored as the adventures increase.

[Molly Schnauder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Friend Hedgehog is a delightful story about a hedgehog named Hedgey looking for a place to call home. Hedgey's journey takes him to different places, from a park to a pond to a garden. Along the way, he meets various exciting characters, including a fox, a badger, and a mouse. Through these friendships, Hedgey learns that home isn't just a place; the people and animals make it unique. The book is a charming read for children of all ages. It's a heartwarming story that teaches kids the importance of friendship and finding a sense of belonging. The illustrations are beautiful and full of life, making this book an excellent choice for bedtime stories. Our Friend Hedgehog is a lovely story that will make readers feel warm and cozy. It's a perfect book to share with the little ones in your life. I love all of these children's books I am reading because they bring me back to my childhood, and the illustrations are so great to look at now that I am older and appreciate the work. 

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"They might look different on the outside, but in their hearts, they were family."

Hedgehog, on her way with Mutty to Owl's read aloud, is astounded when she sees someone exactly like her. She's never seen anyone that looks like her before. Owl explains that it could be a doppelganger, which isn't as reassuring as you would think. After a conversation with Annika Mae and Beaver (who are working on the Friend Fort), Hedgehog (and Mutty), Owl, Beaver and Mole head out to find this doppelganger. What they find instead is a hibernation retreat, Hedge Hideaway, for hedgehogs. If all these hedgehogs are hibernating, does that mean Hedgehog should, too. At first she signs up for a spot, but when she realizes that hibernating means missing the snow, she decides that Hedge Hideaway isn't the place for her after all. And that's okay.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it okay to just write that these Friend Hedgehog books are going to become favorites for years to come? At the beginning of this sweet book about family finds Hedgehog and Mutty on their way to Owl's home for a new story. On the way, a shock to Hedgehog occurs when she sees herself looking back. She hurries on, fast, not at all interested in something that feels a bit frightening. Owl finds just the word Hedgehog needs, a "doppelganger", Hedgehog's "lookalike". There is much more to Lauren Castillo's new story, about the meaning of just who is family, how people become family. It's a warm story of those who can stay who they are and still belong. Along with her words, Castillo's colorful illustrations invite all readers to step into the story and feel welcome.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our Friend Hedgehog” is adorable from the fun-filled story to the absolutely fabulous illustrations. Hedgehog and his friend Mutty wake up in late fall and notice that it is getting to be winter time. Although Hedgehog knows he’s supposed to hibernate, he doesn’t think that he really wants to. When an unexpected Hedgehog, that no one has seen before makes an appearance, Hedgehog follows him back to a Hedgehog village where everyone is getting ready for winter. Although he is glad to find his “people”, Hedgehog misses his friends and the plans that he had for winter.
I really loved this book. It’s the perfect length and the story is cute but not saccharine. I highly recommend it.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Friend Hedgehog is an adorable book that is about friendship and family. The book follows along hedgehog and her friends as they discover that she is not the only hedgehog in forest like they had originally thought. Hedgehog spends time with this new family but comes to the realization that she better fits in with her chosen family; her friends. I like that this book highlights that family is not always blood related and that sometimes you choose your family. All that matters is that there is love, kindness, and togetherness envolved. This is an early chapter book and perfect for early elementary students. I think the story is cute but the illustrations could have been better.

[Denise Kettering · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this early chapter book, Hedgehog has to make the decision about where to spend her winter. Will she spend it with her friends (Owl, Beaver, Mole, Hen and Chicks, and Annika Mae) or will she spend it hibernating with other Hedgehogs? The friends are also in the midst of building a place for their story times. The illustrations are wonderful and they are a big part of the reason to read this sweet story. The story is simple and the reading level is appropriate for an early chapter book. Overall, this is a sweet animal story that invites readers into a cozy friendship with this animal crew.

[Cameron Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story, a hedgehog tries to find what a family truly is. We are taken on a journey of trying to find this hedgehog’s family only to realize that family doesn’t exactly mean the people you are born with but people that care and support you. The illustrations themselves are creative. I like how there’s a vastly different amount of animals in the book it reminded me of Winnie the Pooh. The message about finding your family really speaks to kids and teaches them the importance of finding one's family.

[Connie T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Hedgehog discovers more hedgehogs in the forest - and a hibernation camp - she's torn as to where she belongs, with her own kind or with her friends. Though she's never hibernated before, she feels that's what she's supposed to do. Unfortunately, the other hedgehogs don't share her love of snow, so she decides to return to her friends, where she feels right at home.

While this second installment lacks the thrill and excitement of the first volume (there's no river rescue), this continuation of the story holds its own with a look at what it means to belong.

[Tatevik (on hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story without a complicated plot. However, it’s a chapter book. My almost 3 year old was quite patient while I was reading it, so the story was entertaining enough to sit for a while. We read it in 2-3 settings. However considering that I was not that impressed and touched by the story, and that my toddler didn’t ask for the second read, 3,5 stars rounded to 4 for charming illustrations. The book reminded me of Winnie the Pooh with a girl character instead of Christopher. Looking forward to reading the other book in the series.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second book about Hedgehog and her friends, Hedgehog finds more hedgehogs and is invited to join them in their winter long hibernation. But Hedgehog has never slept through the whole winter and is sad thinking about missing snow and her friends. Another heartfelt story about home and friendship with a lovely reminder that: "They might look different on the outside, but in their hearts, they were family."

"HOME IS WHERE THE HEDGE-HEART IS"

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book warmed my heart! This second book in the Our Friend Hedgehog series benefits from my established fondness for the characters. I read this book with my 5.5yo and we looked at the pictures in the library’s hard copy while listening to the audiobook on Libby. I love how this book masters the found family feels, leaving me with a smile. My daughter learned words like hibernate and doppelgänger. This is a cozy winter read with gorgeous, vibrant illustrations that I recommend.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously I didn’t know this was a series of titles and I began with the second one. Delightful brief story with lots of illustrations of Hedgehog and her animal friends as winter approaches and hibernation begins or does it? Warm cozy story where the wise owl reads stories to the friends and Hedgehog always has Mutty, her stuffed rabbit with her. Lots of colorful illustrations in this juvenile novel which is somewhat unusual, but after all Lauren Castillo has illustrated many picture books.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. So adorable. Hedgehog sees another hedgehog on the way to Owl’s story time and freaks out. Later BeVer mistakes this new hedgehog for his friends. They all go out to find the Doppelgänger and discover a Hedgehog Hibernation Camp. But if hedgehog hibernates he’ll miss out on winter and making a snow hog. What should be do?

[Kat (wanderfulbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations were really pretty and cohesive, the message of the book heartwarming. I would have liked it better if the book followed just one story arc in a way where POV didn’t have to shift from Hedgehog to Annieka and towards the start Beaver.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening sentence of this children's book says it all for me: "Families come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they are joined by birth, and other times they are chosen."
I loved the first book in the tale of Hedgehog and his friends; and this one is equally charming

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it even more than the first!