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The Hodgeheg
Max's family dreams of reaching the Park. But no one has ever found a safe way of crossing the very busy road. Young Max, who is brighter than the average hedgehog, is determined to solve the problem.
Paperback
First published January 29, 1987
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1014 people want to read
About the author
Dick King-Smith
328 books307 followersDick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.
Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.
Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
February 7, 2020
Good book
May 8, 2023
Cartea are ilustratii dragute, dar aventurile lui Max nu au fost intelese de copii. A trebuit sa le explic cum e cu curiozitatea si spiritul de aventura.
May 29, 2013
‘The Hodgeheg’ is a story about an intelligent hedgehog named ‘Max’. Max lives in the garden of 5A with ‘Pa Hedgehog’, ‘Ma Hedgehog’, and his three sisters, ‘Peony Hedgehog’, ‘Penny Hedgehog’ and ‘Petunia Hedgehog’.
The story begins with PA Hedgehog explaining to his children about the problems that hedgehogs have in crossing the road to get to the park. Having listened to his father’s speech, Max asks his father how humans can cross the road safely. PA Hedgehog tells his son that he does not know and sets him the challenge of finding out.
The next day, Max begins his investigation. Firstly, he finds a zebra crossing and decides that this must be the secret to crossing the road safely. To test his theory, Max decides to walk across the crossing in front of a lorry. However, he quickly comes to realise that that traffic does not stop for hedgehogs, only people. After narrowly escaping being hit by the lorry, and a cyclist, Max returns home and explains to his family what happened before going into early hibernation from the shock.
Max eventually wakes up and decides that he must try to cross the road again. This time he notices people crossing the road when they see a green man appearing on the traffic lights. He attempts to cross the road here but finds it difficult to avoid the people coming from the opposite direction and only just makes it to the other side.
Although he has finally made it across the road, and to the park, he now has another problem; he does not know how to get back. Max considers the problem for a while and decides that the best thing to do is run across the road as quick as he can before any more traffic comes. He does so and, after the driver of a milk float almost crashes to avoid him, Max arrives home safely.
Despite all of this, Max does not give up and decides that, since humans cross the road during the day, he should try this too. The next day, Max observes how the lollipop lady stops all of the traffic twice a day and allows the children to cross. Max returns home to his family with this information and, the following day, they all cross the road when the lollipop lady stops the traffic. They arrive safely at the other side and decided that they will do this once a week from now on.
This book is suitable for lower KS2 classes. It can be read by the children individually or can be read by the class teacher to the children. Many talking points can be raised from this book, including the importance of road safety. However, the main message of this book is that determination is important if you want to succeed; an important value that all young children should be led to consider.
The story begins with PA Hedgehog explaining to his children about the problems that hedgehogs have in crossing the road to get to the park. Having listened to his father’s speech, Max asks his father how humans can cross the road safely. PA Hedgehog tells his son that he does not know and sets him the challenge of finding out.
The next day, Max begins his investigation. Firstly, he finds a zebra crossing and decides that this must be the secret to crossing the road safely. To test his theory, Max decides to walk across the crossing in front of a lorry. However, he quickly comes to realise that that traffic does not stop for hedgehogs, only people. After narrowly escaping being hit by the lorry, and a cyclist, Max returns home and explains to his family what happened before going into early hibernation from the shock.
Max eventually wakes up and decides that he must try to cross the road again. This time he notices people crossing the road when they see a green man appearing on the traffic lights. He attempts to cross the road here but finds it difficult to avoid the people coming from the opposite direction and only just makes it to the other side.
Although he has finally made it across the road, and to the park, he now has another problem; he does not know how to get back. Max considers the problem for a while and decides that the best thing to do is run across the road as quick as he can before any more traffic comes. He does so and, after the driver of a milk float almost crashes to avoid him, Max arrives home safely.
Despite all of this, Max does not give up and decides that, since humans cross the road during the day, he should try this too. The next day, Max observes how the lollipop lady stops all of the traffic twice a day and allows the children to cross. Max returns home to his family with this information and, the following day, they all cross the road when the lollipop lady stops the traffic. They arrive safely at the other side and decided that they will do this once a week from now on.
This book is suitable for lower KS2 classes. It can be read by the children individually or can be read by the class teacher to the children. Many talking points can be raised from this book, including the importance of road safety. However, the main message of this book is that determination is important if you want to succeed; an important value that all young children should be led to consider.
October 1, 2012
The Hodgeheg by Dick King-Smith – This was quite the treasure of a book! I found it on the shelf when I was weeding the fiction section and had the mental conversation of “Dick King-Smith- how can I weed his books? They’re fantastic. Well, I’ll look through each one and pull ones that have deteriorated… Wow, a hedgehog, wow, this is cute! Must read!” So, for those close to me, they know I’m quite appreciative of all things hedgehog. Onto the book: I loved this book, quite a cute plot: a hedgehog wants to resolve the issue of hedgehogs getting hit while crossing the street. Loved the hedgehog point of view and felt like this was a cross between Toad Rage by Morris Gleitzman and Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey.
April 2, 2023
What a cute educational story about road awareness did remind me a lot of the hedgehog tv commercial on road safety
September 20, 2009
What? No reviews?!
I adored this book when I was little. I loved hedgehogs -- still do -- and I loved Dick King-Smith's writing. I loved it so much that I would have given it a five star rating, so that's what I will do now. Now, obviously, it's a really simple and quick read -- though at least I think there are no plot holes. It's anthropomorphic, though written as if the narrator is a part of the hedgehogs' world, rather than the humans' world. It's a little unbelievable, though not too much so, for a child. If I were a lollipop lady, I'd love to help out a family of hedgehogs. The main problem to the adult mind is the idea of hedgehogs trying to figure out a road safety plan.
There are some nice little realistic details, like the description of the difference between a juvenile and an adult hedgehog, and how noisy young hedgehogs are (it really is true). The illustrations are sweet, too.
And if you insist on a moral, I suppose it has one -- road safety.
I adored this book when I was little. I loved hedgehogs -- still do -- and I loved Dick King-Smith's writing. I loved it so much that I would have given it a five star rating, so that's what I will do now. Now, obviously, it's a really simple and quick read -- though at least I think there are no plot holes. It's anthropomorphic, though written as if the narrator is a part of the hedgehogs' world, rather than the humans' world. It's a little unbelievable, though not too much so, for a child. If I were a lollipop lady, I'd love to help out a family of hedgehogs. The main problem to the adult mind is the idea of hedgehogs trying to figure out a road safety plan.
There are some nice little realistic details, like the description of the difference between a juvenile and an adult hedgehog, and how noisy young hedgehogs are (it really is true). The illustrations are sweet, too.
And if you insist on a moral, I suppose it has one -- road safety.
September 24, 2018
Ariciul confuz nu este doar o poveste drăguță despre un arici adorabil, ci este o lectură din care poți deprinde multe învățături și ar trebui să fie obligatorie pentru toți copiii. Asta nu înseamnă că adulții nu pot învăța nimic de la Max. Învățăm toată viața, iar Max este un arici-profesor atât de simpatic încât simți nevoia să-l mângâi. Recenzia aici: https://sandradeaconu.blogspot.com/20...
August 10, 2012
Fonderwul!
October 12, 2013
Yet another brilliant Dick-King Smith book!!! This book plays with language brilliantly and children would find it amusing and possibly difficult to understand to begin with but after one explanation they would really enjoy this book. It could be used for Literacy lessons, a lot of literacy lessons!In KS1. Children could explore road safety together using mind maps or drawings. Children could also create a story board to recollect the events in the book, they could also write their own backward sentences, playing with language. The children couldren could research hedgehogs using the internet and books and write facts about them (Cross-curricular, ICT and Literacy). And much more.............. Could even use 'Wordle Create' to write key words from text, such as hedgehog and children can print these and stick in their literacy books.
August 18, 2020
This is a delightful story for children written by the author of the Sheep-Pig, (Babe). Victor Maximilian St George is a legend amongst hedgehogs. For it was the young, adventurous and bright Max who set out on his adventures to discover a safe way for hedgehogs to cross the road safely.
Max's story will provide an entertaining and heartwarming story to read to young children or for confident young readers to read to themselves.
Max provides some valuable lessons to young adventurers, but above all it is an inspiring little story about a hedgehog who simply was not willing to give up in his quest, which at times was filled with danger, for a solution to the problem facing hedgehogs.
Max's story will provide an entertaining and heartwarming story to read to young children or for confident young readers to read to themselves.
Max provides some valuable lessons to young adventurers, but above all it is an inspiring little story about a hedgehog who simply was not willing to give up in his quest, which at times was filled with danger, for a solution to the problem facing hedgehogs.
June 7, 2022
Cute, but dated. My 6 year-old wasn't impressed.
June 7, 2025
This is what my life is going to be now isn’t it?!
This book:
• Promotes safe crossing of roads
• Contains theme of looking out for animals
• Uses fun language when Max bumps his head and words become jumbled
• Has family relationships
• Is about being brave and persevering.
Classroom Ideas:
• Making hedgehogs
• Setting up hedgehog homes
• Descriptive writing/word jumble moments
• Road safety poster creation
• Map of the town and finding a safe crossing.
This book:
• Promotes safe crossing of roads
• Contains theme of looking out for animals
• Uses fun language when Max bumps his head and words become jumbled
• Has family relationships
• Is about being brave and persevering.
Classroom Ideas:
• Making hedgehogs
• Setting up hedgehog homes
• Descriptive writing/word jumble moments
• Road safety poster creation
• Map of the town and finding a safe crossing.
October 29, 2018
This a charming little book all about road safety and hedgehogs.
The book addresses death within the first sentence which can be a sensitive subject.
The book also teaches children some valuable lessons about road safety, how to look after hedgehogs and demonstrates in some cases social skills and how the hedgehogs build a strong relationship with their neighbours.
The pictures add extra charm to the book and help the children relate to the characters in the book.
Its really sweet because it ends like a fairy tale.
I would recommend this book to the end of KS1.
The book addresses death within the first sentence which can be a sensitive subject.
The book also teaches children some valuable lessons about road safety, how to look after hedgehogs and demonstrates in some cases social skills and how the hedgehogs build a strong relationship with their neighbours.
The pictures add extra charm to the book and help the children relate to the characters in the book.
Its really sweet because it ends like a fairy tale.
I would recommend this book to the end of KS1.
July 27, 2024
This story is written in a very comical manner, and the adventures of a very determined little 'hodgeheg'. Some parts of the story were so funny made me laugh out loud! I am only giving this book four stars because it is quite short.
March 3, 2021
Not the best.
November 13, 2022
This is a charming story about a hedgehog Max who is determined to find a safe way for his family and loved ones to cross a busy road that's separating the garden where his family lives from a local park. Several members of his Ma's family didn't make it when trying to cross. Max sets out to find a safe crossing which is proving to be difficult and dangerous, however he's determined not to give up. On one of his attempts he gets a bump to the head by a cyclist which results in his words all mixed up when he tries to speak - and he becomes a "hodgeheg".
In addition to a valuable lesson on road safety, there's another very inspiring message that children can take away from this story. Max didn't get discouraged by the failure of his attemps but kept trying to find a way for his loved ones to cross the road safely. His bravery and determination made him try again and again and it's his not giving up that makes him such an inspiring little hedgehog-hero.
In addition to a valuable lesson on road safety, there's another very inspiring message that children can take away from this story. Max didn't get discouraged by the failure of his attemps but kept trying to find a way for his loved ones to cross the road safely. His bravery and determination made him try again and again and it's his not giving up that makes him such an inspiring little hedgehog-hero.
February 1, 2025
I must have read this as a child but I couldn't really remember it. But we have been reading this over the last few evenings at bedtime so I have gotten to relive the experience. It's a cute story about hedgehogs and road safety. You realise how much has changed in a few decades. One chapter has a guy talking in this red cupboard on the street - a phone box - which is bizarre to kids now as everyone is on their mobile phones and old telephone boxes are book exchange libraries now.
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January 5, 2018Kielellisesti taitaa olla vähän hankala kutosille, mutta liiskautuneiden siilien suuri sankaritarina kielivääntöineen on kyllä hauska :).
April 21, 2020
The fact that I still call those spiky nocturnal creatures 'hodgehegs' to this day shows the impression this book left on me. Dick King-Smith is one of my all time favourite authors and I think this might be my personal favourite of his books
June 26, 2012
The Hodgeheg first published in 1987 is still a children's story that is regularly used and read by children both in and outside the classroom. It is read both for pleasure and as a tool for learning in literacy.
The story follows the main character, Max. Max is a young hedgehog who wants to go to the park with his family because it is known for it's good hunting. The only problem is, it's on the other side of a busy road and many hedgehogs have died trying to get there. Max researches and tries various ways to cross the road- when it seemed less busy and at a pelican crossing. These attempts fail, and Max repeatedly gets bumped and kicked, causing his speech to become muddled and call himself a Hodgeheg. Despite the warnings from his parents and other hedgehogs Max persists with his research until one day he comes across the lolipop lady, who stops the traffic for children and allows Max to cross safely. The next morning at the crack of dawn a family of hedgehogs cross the road with the help of the lolipop lady, and they all make it to the park.
There are many ways this book can be useful in the classroom and appealing to children. The use of illustrative vocabulary throughout the book can be used to develop children's own vocabulary in retelling the story and describing how the characters are feeling. This vocabulary and punctuation also allows for children to develop their understanding of how they can read with expression through roleplay and drama. The complex nature of this longer text-based storybook also makes it ideal to be used to assess and increase children's reading comprehension, both in terms of gaining information directly available from the text and inferring information from what is implied. Whilst children enjoy this story, it's length and being largely text-based with fewer illustrations means I would recommend it for use with early Key Stage 2 children. The length of this chapter-based story also means it is more suited to being an ongoing project children read over a number of weeks, with comprehension, reading with expression, retelling through writing and widening vocabulary being used at different stages as children progress through the book.
The story follows the main character, Max. Max is a young hedgehog who wants to go to the park with his family because it is known for it's good hunting. The only problem is, it's on the other side of a busy road and many hedgehogs have died trying to get there. Max researches and tries various ways to cross the road- when it seemed less busy and at a pelican crossing. These attempts fail, and Max repeatedly gets bumped and kicked, causing his speech to become muddled and call himself a Hodgeheg. Despite the warnings from his parents and other hedgehogs Max persists with his research until one day he comes across the lolipop lady, who stops the traffic for children and allows Max to cross safely. The next morning at the crack of dawn a family of hedgehogs cross the road with the help of the lolipop lady, and they all make it to the park.
There are many ways this book can be useful in the classroom and appealing to children. The use of illustrative vocabulary throughout the book can be used to develop children's own vocabulary in retelling the story and describing how the characters are feeling. This vocabulary and punctuation also allows for children to develop their understanding of how they can read with expression through roleplay and drama. The complex nature of this longer text-based storybook also makes it ideal to be used to assess and increase children's reading comprehension, both in terms of gaining information directly available from the text and inferring information from what is implied. Whilst children enjoy this story, it's length and being largely text-based with fewer illustrations means I would recommend it for use with early Key Stage 2 children. The length of this chapter-based story also means it is more suited to being an ongoing project children read over a number of weeks, with comprehension, reading with expression, retelling through writing and widening vocabulary being used at different stages as children progress through the book.
January 1, 2021
Interesting book. It's good for older kids as well.
January 18, 2013
‘The Hodgeheg’ is the story of Max, a young hedgehog who wants to play in the park; his only obstacle is a busy road. When he tries to cross the road he ends up with a bump on his head, which confuses him, and he begins to say everything all jumbled up. He is determined to reach the park where there is lots of juicy food like worms so he begins to watch the humans crossing. First he see’s that when the man turns green all the humans cross. So one day he readies himself at the edge of the path and when the man turns green he tries to run across the road. He is halfway across, but then the humans from the other side approach and he gets pushed around and is unable to get to the other side. Finally he see’s the lollipop lady and with the help of his family they all cross safely together.
This is a good story of road safety and overcoming obstacles, which I used with year 3 which they enjoyed and were able to access easily as a class with it being read to them. I think this would be suitable for either year 3 or 4 and could also be used for independent reading and curriculum support in PSHE for things such as road safety and overcoming obstacles.
I liked this book as the children enjoyed the illustrations and the characters they met. The children found it particularly enjoyable when Max was getting his words jumbled up and they had to figure out what he was saying.
This is a good story of road safety and overcoming obstacles, which I used with year 3 which they enjoyed and were able to access easily as a class with it being read to them. I think this would be suitable for either year 3 or 4 and could also be used for independent reading and curriculum support in PSHE for things such as road safety and overcoming obstacles.
I liked this book as the children enjoyed the illustrations and the characters they met. The children found it particularly enjoyable when Max was getting his words jumbled up and they had to figure out what he was saying.
May 3, 2012
Max is a hedgehog who lives with his family across the road from a park. He and his family have spent their lives dreaming about reaching the park, but are prevented from doing so by the main road which they are unable to cross.
The story begins as Max’s aunty is hit while crossing the road. This encourages Max to find a safe place for Hedgehogs to cross the road. Max sets off to explore how humans cross the road safely in order to get to the park. Max's first attempt is at a zebra crossing, where he injures himself receiving a nasty bump on his head. He suddenly becomes a Hodgeheg as he begins mixing up all his words. Still determined to get safely across the road, he continues on his adventures until eventually he reaches the park.
This book by Dick King-Smith is a very exciting and enjoyable read for children. The reader eagerly turns over each page never knowing what’s going to happen next. Max is a very determined, clever and brave character. The book sends out a positive message to the reader. If you persevere and try hard you can accomplish your goals. I would recommend this book for children from the age of six to nine years.
The story begins as Max’s aunty is hit while crossing the road. This encourages Max to find a safe place for Hedgehogs to cross the road. Max sets off to explore how humans cross the road safely in order to get to the park. Max's first attempt is at a zebra crossing, where he injures himself receiving a nasty bump on his head. He suddenly becomes a Hodgeheg as he begins mixing up all his words. Still determined to get safely across the road, he continues on his adventures until eventually he reaches the park.
This book by Dick King-Smith is a very exciting and enjoyable read for children. The reader eagerly turns over each page never knowing what’s going to happen next. Max is a very determined, clever and brave character. The book sends out a positive message to the reader. If you persevere and try hard you can accomplish your goals. I would recommend this book for children from the age of six to nine years.
June 23, 2012
This story is about a determined hedgehog called Max and his family. They live oppostite a wonderful park full of snails, slugs and other delights for hedgehogs. There is just one problem... the busy road between them and the park.
One day Max's poor aunty tries, without success, to reach the park.She is hit by a car. This spurs Max on to investigate how humans cross the road safely. His first attempt results in a bump on the head and Max starts to muddle up his words and loses his direction. This leads to some very humorous language which children love. In the end detemined Max finds a way for hedgehogs to cross safely, with the help of a lollipop lady!
This is a fun and exciting story with humorous language that children will love. It has a lovely message of perserverance and not giving up. I would recommend reading this story to a whole class and think it is suitable for year 2 upwards. It could also be used to highlight the importance of road safety.
One day Max's poor aunty tries, without success, to reach the park.She is hit by a car. This spurs Max on to investigate how humans cross the road safely. His first attempt results in a bump on the head and Max starts to muddle up his words and loses his direction. This leads to some very humorous language which children love. In the end detemined Max finds a way for hedgehogs to cross safely, with the help of a lollipop lady!
This is a fun and exciting story with humorous language that children will love. It has a lovely message of perserverance and not giving up. I would recommend reading this story to a whole class and think it is suitable for year 2 upwards. It could also be used to highlight the importance of road safety.
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December 10, 2011THE HEDGEHOG (by dick king-Smith)
It is a nice story book for children above 7 years old. It is basically the story of Max, the hedgehog who is the only one in hedgehog kind to unlock the greatest key of crossing the road safely. I personally enjoyed the book a lot and would strongly recommend it to children to read at least once during their childhood. Not only does it talk about a small hedgehog family life and some family etiquette but also, educate children on the rules, precautions and safety measures to be considered before crossing the road. It talks about all the do’s and don’ts while crossing the road, and also different types of aiders like lollipop man, traffic lights or zebra crossing. It also tells about the consequences if the measures are not followed. It gives an insight to real life situation which would be very beneficial for the child.
It is a nice story book for children above 7 years old. It is basically the story of Max, the hedgehog who is the only one in hedgehog kind to unlock the greatest key of crossing the road safely. I personally enjoyed the book a lot and would strongly recommend it to children to read at least once during their childhood. Not only does it talk about a small hedgehog family life and some family etiquette but also, educate children on the rules, precautions and safety measures to be considered before crossing the road. It talks about all the do’s and don’ts while crossing the road, and also different types of aiders like lollipop man, traffic lights or zebra crossing. It also tells about the consequences if the measures are not followed. It gives an insight to real life situation which would be very beneficial for the child.
September 10, 2011
Penned by the famous children's writer Dick King Smith, The Hodgeheg follows the story of Max, the brave and curious hedgehog. Max is determined to find a safe way in which to cross the busy road in order to sample the delights of the park on the other side. However poor Max sustains a bump to the head during one of his expeditions resulting in his muddled speech.
The Hodgehog is an endearing and very readable little story told from Max' persective. It has the added bonus of re enforcing issues of road safety to its readers and listeners.
I would recommend this book for teachers to read during story time in years 2 and 3. This book woud also be an excellent first chapter book for independant readers in years 3 and 4, dependant upon ability.
The Hodgehog is an endearing and very readable little story told from Max' persective. It has the added bonus of re enforcing issues of road safety to its readers and listeners.
I would recommend this book for teachers to read during story time in years 2 and 3. This book woud also be an excellent first chapter book for independant readers in years 3 and 4, dependant upon ability.
January 19, 2023
I read a few of this author's books last year. This is another one of them.
The plot isn't terrible in this one. There are some moments that could be fun to read aloud to a small child. It is just bland. The main character doesn't stand out and the supporting characters are hard to remember.
I would also suggest a slight content warning if read to the very young due to the hints of mortality. It does stop short if describing deaths but a curious child could well have questions based on the text.
The plot isn't terrible in this one. There are some moments that could be fun to read aloud to a small child. It is just bland. The main character doesn't stand out and the supporting characters are hard to remember.
I would also suggest a slight content warning if read to the very young due to the hints of mortality. It does stop short if describing deaths but a curious child could well have questions based on the text.
February 5, 2012
This is a lovely story written by Dick King Smith the author of 'The Sheep-Pig'. The Hodgeheg tells the story of Max, a hedgehog who bumps his head after an attempt to cross the road. As as result he begins to jumble up his words when talking to others and loses sense of direction. The story deals with road safety as Max tries to understand how humans cross the road. It is quite a hilarious read and would be a good book to use as a whole class reading book. I would recommend from Y2 upwards.
January 7, 2015
This book is a very good book. It is about a little hedgehog who went to different places. His trips are really exciting and fun. I especially liked the part when he starts going on his travel because it is really exciting. My favourite character was the hedgehog because he was really brave. I recommend this book to children 8+
January 6, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very funny and a good laugh.
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