Hedge Hog!

by Ashlyn Anstee

Hedgehog is hogging the hedge and won't let the other animals live there. In this humorous political allegory, he learns that it's not a winning strategy.

Winter is coming, and the animals need homes. The worms move in with the groundhogs. The possums share a burrow with the foxes. The birds and the squirrels stay in the oak tree together. The hedgehog lives in the hedge . . . all by himself. When other animals come looking for a place to stay, he's NOT interested; it's HIS hedge and everyone else can STAY OUT. He gets busy making signs, putting locks on his door and even building a fence. All he cares about is keeping the other animals out . . . but he's making a huge mistake.

Will the other animals find a home in time? Will Hedgehog learn his lesson? Is this a terrific story? Read on to find out.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Friendship, Humor, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 8, 2018

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Sweet story about a grumpy hedgehog who has problems sharing. He will understand the importance of helping when he himself needs help from his neighbor. Beautiful illustrations.

I received this copy in an Early Reviewers Giveaway in LibraryThing.

[Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the lessons taught in this story about sharing and how it may be you in need someday. Neighbors helping neighbors is something all ages can stand to remember. The illustrations are fun and bright. I recommend it.

This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

When winter comes, Hedgehog is warm and comfy in his hedge home. When other animals need a place to stay, they ask if they can share the hedge. He will not even consider it, but the grasshopper under the hedge is more than generous with his space. When Hedgehogs anger causes him to destroy his home, he shows up, hat in hand, to ask if he can move in with grasshopper and the others. The generous animals welcome him with open arms. Hedgehog learns a valuable lesson about being kind and generous with others. The illustrations are wonderful and add a lot to the story. A great addition to a school, classroom, public or family library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Angelina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unimpressive.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine literature.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. The cover looks so CUTE!

But the artwork is not very appealing at all - a big disappointment. The storyline is the usual: all the animals are cooperating, except the hedgehog, who - naturally - is hogging his hedge all to himself. He gets his comeuppance and comes crawling to the grasshoppers and badgers for help, and they welcome him, and everyone has a cozy winter together. I'm tired of these "sharing is caring" storylines - you don't have to share EVERYTHING to be a good person.

The science in this story is a real mishmash of factual and ridiculous. Yes, ladybugs and bees are known to overwinter together in a beehive. But I find it completely unlikly that a fox would overwinter with possums - it's more likely that the fox would EAT the possums. Birds and squirrels do coexist, by ignoring each other, but they hardly "share" their lodging; birds often don't even like to share with other birds. No one is going to want to share their den with the badger family, or they'll all be eaten.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story of the consequences of not sharing, especially when you have a lot, and you could share.

The pictures are cute. The hedgehog is obviously in the wrong, and the grasshopper is in the right, but kids will be able to figure that what the hedgehog is doing by, well hogging the hedge is not the right thing to do.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Gina Zappa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time we lay eyes upon the titular Hedgehog(!) he is peeking out his front door while glaring and shaking his fist, so I knew he was made for me right away. He is totes grumpy and doesn't appear to want to share his space or socialize (again, very relatable). Does he end up changing his mind and joining the rest of the party animals under the hedge??! Well...you'll just have to read it and find out!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a hedgehog refuses to share his hedge, he soon finds himself in need of asking others to share with HIM.

[Corvid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love hedgehogs and kids books so this was all around a good time lol

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious! A valuable lesson is taught.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a work of art

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE hedgehogs.

[Silvis Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute art style. Nice moral about kindness, sharing, not being greedy, and not being mean to people just because they've been mean to you. Casually educational about where animals go in the winter for shelter and how some share their homes with others.

~Shay

[Ali D · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because my soon to be 2 year old asks for this book several times a day since it was gifted to her.

[Elevetha · Rating 2 out of 5]

*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Not quite all I hoped from a book about a hedgehog :(

The illustrations have very little merit, but I can honestly say they're far from the worst I've seen. The story seemed mostly like political propaganda, but its possible I was misreading that. Another basic children's book about the rewards of 'sharing is caring', nothing particularly special about it.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The FIRST robotics team of which my highschool student is a member is the Hedgehogs, so now I can't walk by a book with a hedge theme. Cute text, energetic art. It has an obvious moral, but the tone is light enough to pull it off. Plus, pie!

Library copy

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly love this book. I took one look at the front cover picture and I was hooked before I even opened it.

A crotchety, grumpy hedgehog thinks he has sole rights to live in the hedge. He contently lives there all by himself with nobody to bug him.

All the animals around him are scurrying and flying around trying to acquire adequate accommodation for their families. Winter is fast closing in and they need a warm, cozy place to reside for the cold season.

The displaced homeless animals need shelter and they come ringing Hedgehog's doorbell to ask if he will be kind enough to share his hedge. He not only closes the door in their face after he shouts a resounding, "NO!" "THIS IS MY HEDGE!" but closes his heart to their desperate plight too. Oh my! What a mean guy!

Grasshopper, on the other hand lives under the hedge and she has a totally different spirit and attitude about her. Her kind and generous heart opens the door wide to invite those poor cold souls in and she gladly shares her living quarters no matter who comes knocking.

Hedgehog gets so infuriated with the interruptions and audacity of the intruders that he starts making signs, locking up his premises, and building a fence to keep those unwanted strangers out and away from his peaceful abode. His Grinchy heart is soon to learn a very valuable lesson in reciprocity.

He himself, after much out-of-control damage to his own hedge, finds he is in need of a new home. His fury has totally destroyed his hedge. Feeling ashamed at his inexcusable behaviour he takes what belongings he can pack up and humbly heads under the hedge to ask grasshopper if he could possibly come and stay the winter with her and the other animals she has so graciously taken in. Will grasshopper allow such an old Scrooge to join the others and live in community with them after how badly he behaved? Has Hedgehog actually repented and seen the errors of his ways or is he only bluffing?

This awesome story has such a positive message to share at any time of the year. Hedgehog learns a very valuable lesson about kindness and generosity towards others. I adore the illustrations. They are so detailed and filled with activity and humour. I highly, highly recommend this book.

[Shaina Cade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because a grumpy hedgehog was pulling a very cute Winnie the Pooh stuck-in-the-entrance-to-Rabbit’s-abode type front and back cover and it beheld a beautiful pun. And then I died by the first page, festooned with animals preparing for winter, including a cat knitting on a fence!! and a bumble giving their love a flower and a cricket?? driving around a log tour bus for this bustling garden. And of course, the eponymous hedgehog, looking out his blue hedge door, shaking his lil fist with all of his “you kids get off my lawn!” vigor. So much cute detail! And oh my goodness there are scribble grumbleswears on Hedgehog’s hedge leaves as he waffles and quakes at Grasshopper’s generosity (she lives under his hedge and is giving shelter to all the animals that can’t find a place to squeeze in in this ridiculously busy backyard.)

Somehow, Hedgehog shakes his home to pieces and is forced to grovel at Grasshopper’s feet. And she’s like “Of course you Grumpy Gus! C’mon in!” and he’s like “I brought pie!!” and just ugh, my heart warms as the winter scene sets in and everyone shares some pie and a cute lil home under the hedge. And it looks like blueberry pie and I’m so h a p p y. Thanks book!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tundra Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Hedgehog! I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

The first thing I noticed was the whimsical illustrations that tell the story of Hedgehog, who likes to be by himself despite all of the company just outside his door. As he continues to proclaim that the hedge belongs to him, Hedgehog soon realizes that being alone is not all it is cracked up to be.

Children will enjoy the colorful pages, while the adults can use the story to emphasize the importance of being part of a community. Learning to share despite feelings of the contrary is a necessary life skill and this book can help parents teach that important lesson. In relatively few pages, with not so many words, the author is able to convey these ideas in a way that children will understand. Hedgehog! would be a valuable asset to any home or public library, so I would recommend it to parents and educators alike.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

the garden was busy with all of the animals getting ready for winter. it describes where each of the animals live (hive, burrow, tree, underground).hedgehog lives in the hedge by himself which is just what he likes. grasshopper lives under the hedge. badger says the burrow's full can I come in the hedge and selfish hedgehog says NO! he looks really irritated. grasshopper says that badge can stay with him under the hedge. more animals come and want to stay in the hedge but hedgehog turns them all down. they all go to stay under the hedge with grasshopper. grasshopper yells at hedgehog, "stop being such a hedge hog!" hedgehog slams his door too hard and his hedge falls apart. he asks grasshopper if he can stay with him under the hedge and of course, he says yes. all the animals talk and eat pie. I really like the illustrations hedge hog is a big grump and I like his facial expressions and his yelling

[Sarai Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always review books like this with my four year old. This way I get the most genuine reaction possible.

The story kept my son involved through the whole thing. That's hard for a four year old to do. He loved the pictures and laughed when I kept saying Ding Dong! My son enjoyed it, but I didn't get that "Let read it again," reaction.

From a mom point of view. I thought the art was pretty good, there was a lot going on in the pictures and sometimes I thought it made it a little overwhelming for the little guy. I know it did for me. The story was pretty fun. That darn Hedge Hog!

We enjoyed this book and its definitely a story that you should read to your little ones.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

[J David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hedge Hog! is written and beautifully illustrated by Ashlyn Anstee. It is a picture book for young children who can read it themselves before too long. A story about sharing. As winter approaches the animals begin to find their dens, nests and caves for the cold winter soon to arrive. Many of the animals share their homes with other species of animals but the hedgehog refuses to share until his home is destroyed and now he needs to share with other animals who gladly take him in. Imaginative illustrations, wonderful paper and color there is a lesson about sharing for children. I highly recommend this book.

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hedgehog lives a solitary life in his hedge, and he likes it that way. Grasshopper lives under the hedge. Though he lives alone, he's happy to welcome others to join him under the hedge. As the animals continue to arrive and space fills up, hedgehog loses his cool and destroys his own home. How fortunate for him that Grasshopper is ready to welcome him. The illustrations are functional for story support and done in a muted color palette.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

As all the animals get ready for winter, they make provision for those that have no homes. Hedgehog lives in the hedge by himself and he likes it that way. As he continues to turn friends away, grasshopper who lives under the hedge invites them in. In an effort to deter anyone from coming he ruins his domain. When he approaches grasshopper, he is kindly welcomed. This tale of selfishness, caring and sharing provides plenty of ways to talk to young readers about forgiveness.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I loved about this book was how developmentally appropriate the text is. The hedge hog is territorial, and likes to say, "mine!" Two-year-olds can relate :)

I feel like the illustrations could be more charming, with better line and color work, and the faces of the characters could have been drawn with a little more subtlety. There are lost opportunities in the art for some whimsy, humor, and for the book to carry over to a slightly older age group.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winter is coming and Hedgehog is very comfortable in his home that's he's made for himself in the hedge. Alas, the garden is crowded and many animals are still looking for places to live. Grasshopper below Hedgehog welcomes one and all while Hedgehog refuses to allow a single one. Then, disaster strikes! Hedgehog learns an important lesson in kindness and being a good neighbor.

Illustrations are good.

[Grace & Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little book about a hedgehog who refuses to share his hedge with a variety of other animals... a decision that may come back to bite him. It's a great book about sharing. It might have been a little simplistic for my six-year-olds, but heaven knows they could always use a refresher lesson in sharing, and they got a kick out of the pictures of the various animals (the illustrations are great).

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably closer to a 3.5 star, but I couldn’t bring myself to round up to 4 on here.

I read this because I saw the author had my name. Ultimately, this was pretty cute but it could’ve been better. This hedgehog is selfish and he doesn’t want to help his fellow animals. Lessons are learned and I think this would be a great book to read to young children but I also think there are better books to read to them.

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good messages about sharing and forgiveness. The illustrations are hilarious; I especially like the ladybugs.

I only docked a star because about half the book consists of characters and speech bubbles. It's kind of fun ad-libbing a new way to describe the action each time we read it ("And then the badgers say...") but honestly I would have just preferred a written narrative.

Otherwise: highly recommended.