Little Porcupine's Christmas

by Joseph Slate, Felicia Bond (Illustrator)

Little Porcupine's mother calls him the "light of her life," but it's not until the night before Christmas, the very night of the Christmas play, that Little Porcupine sees the truth in her words.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1982

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

A porcupine attends a school with no teacher where he is bullied relentlessly by the rest of the students because of his species through the casting and rehearsals of a Nativity play -- pointlessly called the " the Baby in the Manger" play -- until he gets to save the day at the last second.

No thanks.

[Pug · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a dopey book.
Why would other woodland creatures be so prejudiced against a porcupine???
And WTF does "stickball" mean anyway?
Also, nice artful dodge of the name of Jesus in a book about a Christmas play. "The baby in the manger"... could you be a little more specific!?

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Porcupine is the oddball in his classroom and doesn't seem to belong in their Christmas Pageant. My only real problem with this story celebrating difference is that the other animals children all claim he doesn't belong because he doesn't share the defining characteristic of that animal. (He's not striped like the chipmunk, is one strange example. None of the other animals have stripes either.) I suppose that's the point--we're all wonderful because we're all different. It just struck a false note with me.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tale is about a traditional Christmas pageant whose subject is the value of being different. While Porcupine ultimately saves the day, sadly he faces bullying and much like in real life his tormentors probably go on to continue their bad behavior.

[Mya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute christmas story.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The other characters were all horrible (bullies) and it was hard to focus on the "good" Christmas aspects with everyone picking on porcupine.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Little Porcupine wants a part in the school Christmas play but doesn’t try out after his classmates belittle his appearance.

This picture book utilizes the school play trope, which, like lemonade stands, is something that happens in frequently fiction but rarely in reality. Little Porcupine wants to be in the school Christmas play, but when everyone is lined up to receive parts, he is mocked by his classmates (Where is the teacher? Why isn’t an adult supervising the children?) and runs away without auditioning. As can be expected, the characteristics that the other students made fun of Little Porcupine for are the very ones that end up saving the day.

This story shows how differences can be both weaknesses and strengths and highlights how children can be outright mean. It also features an extremely loving and supportive caregiver in the form of Little Porcupine's mother.

The illustrations were done by Felicia Bond who illustrated the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series.

[Lauren Kramer-Theuerkauf · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Little Porcupine's Christmas by Joseph Slate, the animals of Creature Creek School are preparing for the Baby in the Manger play. Porcupine can't wait to try out for a part. When he arrives at tryouts, his classmates are less than kind.

All of the parts have been assigned. Porcupine must now be part of the stage crew. He helps design the sets. He keeps the stage clean. But when a disaster threatens the play, will he have the courage to help the classmates that ridiculed him?

I thought this was a sweet story. My heart ached for Porcupine. I think that readers of all ages will relate to the theme of not judging a book by its cover.

Felicia Bond's illustrations are outstanding. Having illustrated such classics as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, children will instantly recognize her work in the Creature Creek students. Her characters are adorable as well as iconic.

This is a wonderful read for children ages 3-6.

[Diane Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this beautiful story to my daughter night after night, as it brought tears to my eyes. It was such a good way to teach her about bullying and kindness. Brings back wonderful memories, and I often call her my “shiny spiny star.”

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Porcupine desires to have a part in the Christmas play, but the other children taunt and tease him, so he's stuck with working behind the scenes as stage crew and clean-up crew. But on the night of the play Little Porcupine becomes the biggest and brightest star of the play.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book kind of like Rudolph. Everyone makes fun of Little Porcupine and tells him he has no place in the Christmas Play. But when they forget the star, he saves the day by becoming the star. And then how the children loved him, loved him, as they shouted out with glee.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Porcpine is shunned by his classmates at Creature Creek School when he tries out for a part in Christmas play. Although Little Porcupine is working behind the scenes as a stage hand, he still gets a chance to shine.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet illustrations bt Felicia Bond. Little Porcupine finds it's not so bad to have shiny spines.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was enjoyed by my 7 year old client. He liked reading it, and he liked that Little Porcupine thought up a good idea that filled a Christmas pageant need.

[Becky H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Porcupine saves the Christmas play. Cute read and illustrations.

[One Code 431 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet story

[Joyce Yoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a sad book, the kids bullied the porcupine too much. His “redemption” part didn’t feel redeeming enough, and the bullies did not apologize or thank him in the end.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has a good plot, though it’s maybe a bit too religious for us.

[Asho · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a Christmas gift from my son's preschool teachers. It's a cute little Christmas story. The ending was a nice surprise, and the book provides a good "everyone is special and there is a useful role for everyone" lesson. I will say, though, that my almost-three-year-old doesn't really understand that the porcupine is being teased and left out. He still likes the story and has asked for it several times this Christmas season, but I think the actual message would hit better for Pre-K and early elementary school.

ETA 2017: My son is almost 6 now and is now sophisticated enough to understand that Little Porcupine is being bullied, and to feel very sad about it. He likes the story more now that he fully understands it, though. I like that Little Porcupine finds a way to shine, and love how supportive his mother is throughout the story. But I do agree with my son that the other animals are very mean! My 3 year old listened to this for the first time and enjoyed it, too.

ETA 2019: S (almost 8) still feels very sad for the porcupine in this book. Reading it tonight it dawned on me that it doesn't give enough credit to the porcupine for being the stage hand! I mean, I know he wanted to be in the show, but techies are important, too!

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super Dear Christmas story! Unlike any that I've read before. The main character is a Porcupine (which I found fun since what author uses porcupines? :) He gets excited for the school play about the baby in the manager. His mother tells him he will do fine and he was her brightest light (or something like that) when he gets to school the other children (Other various animals) tease him and tell him he can't be various people in the play for various reasons mostly due to him being ugly and or his prickly quills. The day of the play comes and everyone is excited everyone has a part and a costume except porcupine. Because he didn't feel like he had a place. He turned the lights off , pulled the curtain and put the spotlight out. When the play began but then they realized there was no one for the bright star. One of the most important roles of the play! He remembered what his sweet mother told him and he saves the play!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable story starts with little porcupine wanting a part in the Christmas play. The other children have told him that he is too funny looking to have an acting part. His wise and loving Mother tells him: try out because “Your spines shine. Your eyes sparkle. You are the light of my life.” The story has a touching ending; where little porcupines come to the rescue with the actors forget the Christmas star!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Porcupine really wants to be part of the Christmas play, but he can't be a shepherd or a wise man or an angel...his spines will poke the sheep or punch holes in the gift. He can only work behind the scenes. His mother always calls him "the light of my life". And at the end, Porcupine gets a very special role in the play.

I loved the warm relationship between porcupine and his mom. And I am glad that he found a role that was perfect for him.

[Chinyleu Nwokolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor little porcupine was teased because of his prickly back and initially didn't get a part in the school play.His mom was always there to lift his spirits up with hugs and reminding him he is the light of her life.In the end he had the most important role, the star of the play. This is an easy read that teaches kids not to look down on others just because they are different. Everyone is important.
Slate,J.,Bond,F.(1982)Little Porcupine's Christmas
New York: Scholastic Inc

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book in a pack of books from a Christmas book order. My two year old son loves it--he is still asking for it, even though it got sent back to storage with all the other Christmas stuff! Our favorite line is "'Oh!' said the mamas. 'Ah!' said the papas." We are still quoting it and my little boy says it with the cutest little voice. Darling illustration and a cute story.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story and the illustrations. All my grandchildren have enjoyed this story and I will continue to share it. Our six-year-old granddaughter just discovered this book and likes to revisit it often and see which animals play which parts in the Christmas pageant. She also likes to match their parents in the audience.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Porcupine wants to be in the Christmas play, but the other animals tell him that there are no roles for porcupines. A surprise ending and a very loving, supporting, encouraging mother make all the difference.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

porcupine is ostracized by classmates during preparation for the christmas play but finds a way to shine in the end. pictures are cute---by felecia bond.

[Marlys Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is our very favorite Christmas book... LOVE it!!!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable story that shows that even if you're different, you can still find your place to shine! I loved the mamma's love for her little porcupine:)

[Byron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella rated this one.