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dogeared88's review against another edition
5.0
"Down in the snout and droopy in the prickles" omg this book made me cryyyy <3 I loved it
readwithpassion's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton. I was surprised to see that it didn't have a higher rating on GoodReads. It's about a hedgehog who wakes up and feels down. He really, really needs a hug, and the other animals are clearly avoiding him because he is prickly. The book doesn't say this, so it was fun to ask my son why he thought they were avoiding him. Then he meets skunk, and skunk needs a hug (but of course, skunk is stinky). This is a great book to teach kids about some of the ways in which they might unintentionally be hurting people.
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
Adorable! I came across this book at a Scholastic Book Fair and didn't expect it to be so touching.
Hedgehog feels blue and wants a hug, so he asks various animals. They all have some excuse why they can't. My four-year-old did not suspect them of lying to avoid hugging the hedgehog, though I think that's how older readers will interpret it.
Hedgehog is well and truly bummed. Then he hears a sad skunk who also needs a hug and you can guess the ending from there.
A sweet story about how everyone needs affection and kindness -- even those of us who are hella prickly and have stinky reputations.
Hedgehog feels blue and wants a hug, so he asks various animals. They all have some excuse why they can't. My four-year-old did not suspect them of lying to avoid hugging the hedgehog, though I think that's how older readers will interpret it.
Hedgehog is well and truly bummed. Then he hears a sad skunk who also needs a hug and you can guess the ending from there.
A sweet story about how everyone needs affection and kindness -- even those of us who are hella prickly and have stinky reputations.
musingsfromamandalyn's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Very cute and something I needed today. Sometimes you just need a picture book to make work stress manageable. I am glad hedgehog was able to get a hug. Hugs do help.
kattrent's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
This was so stinkin cute!
I used to own hedgehogs, and this hedgie is modeled after an African Pygmy, and it just wants a hug. The book has a good message about how it is important to feel physical affection, but not to the detriment of yourself. There is a fox who tries to eat the hedgie, luring it in with words before trying to eat it. Ultimately the hedgie does get a hug from a skunk, which I thought was a nice turn around and moment to teach about kindness and not judging others.
I used to own hedgehogs, and this hedgie is modeled after an African Pygmy, and it just wants a hug. The book has a good message about how it is important to feel physical affection, but not to the detriment of yourself. There is a fox who tries to eat the hedgie, luring it in with words before trying to eat it. Ultimately the hedgie does get a hug from a skunk, which I thought was a nice turn around and moment to teach about kindness and not judging others.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
4.0
There are many, many books about hedgehogs and porcupines wanting hugs, but almost none of them have artwork this radiant. This book's illustrations are incredibly vivid, colorful, detailed, and cute, and they add so much to the charming story.
However, fair warning for parents of sensitive kids: More than one page involves a scary fox that nearly eats the hedgehog. The downside of vivid, realistic illustrations is that they can give kids nightmares, and I know that this would have bothered me when I was small.
However, fair warning for parents of sensitive kids: More than one page involves a scary fox that nearly eats the hedgehog. The downside of vivid, realistic illustrations is that they can give kids nightmares, and I know that this would have bothered me when I was small.
agudenburr's review against another edition
4.0
A hedgehog feels sad so he asks a bunch of different animals for a hug. A very cute book with beautiful illustrations. It is a little on the long side and is a tiny bit scary but would be good for an elementary read aloud.
jesstele's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve read other books with similar storylines that I liked a bit better but I love these illustrations!
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
4.0
A sweet, beautifully illustrated story about a sad hedgehog looking for a hug. This story gently sends the message that people who may appear "prickly" at first glance may not actually be prickly, and are just as deserving of hugs when they need them as others.