A Place to Call Home

Starred review from December 1, 2022

Gr 1-3-During a routine trip to Owl's loft, Hedgehog comes face-to-face with a startling surprise: In front of her stands a hedgehog! After ruling out other possibilities for what she just saw, Hedgehog realizes that she may have met her first family member and she supposes that "it might be nice to meet a relative." With the help of her friends Owl, Mole, and Beaver, Hedgehog sets out to find the family that she's never had. This second installment of Castillo's "Our Friend Hedgehog" series is a great reminder that families come in all varieties. Featuring a cast of animal characters that range in temperament as well as complexity, this story is propelled by Hedgehog's search for home, with purposeful parallels drawn to the Friend Fort that her friends are busily creating. With full- and half-page illustrations, readers will be drawn in by the vibrant artwork that shares equally in the storytelling. Watercolor, pen, and pencil are used deftly to show the change in seasons as well as the important features of these animal friends. With short chapters and even pacing this chapter book is a perfect fall read-aloud, but equally enjoyable as an independent read with a cup of hot chocolate. VERDICT This gentle series sequel is a must-have for collections that serve younger readers.-Louie Lauer

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 1, 2022
Hedgehog has always known where she belonged...until one day, she isn't so sure. Hedgehog is excited about winter coming! Winter means snowball fights, tubing, and making snowhogs! On her way to Owl's house with her best friend, Mutty (a stuffed dog), she runs into...herself? Owl, with the help of his trusty dictionary, tells Hedgehog she has a doppelg�nger, although they soon realize it is simply another hedgehog, something Hedgehog is not entirely comfortable with. Meanwhile, Beaver and Annika Mae (a tan-skinned human girl) are building a Friend Fort. Upon learning of the doppleg�nger, Beaver stops his work and takes Hedgehog and her animal friends down the river to find the hedgehog. They discover the Hedge Hideaway, where hedgehogs go to hibernate. Should Hedgehog give up her fun winter plans and hibernate among her own kind? She soon realizes it's not those who look like us on the outside but those who feel like family on the inside who matter most. Laced with a lovely yet never heavy-handed message, Castillo's follow-up to Our Friend Hedgehog (2020) is as charming as the first title.The cast of characters is delightful, especially Mole, who refers to her pals by using the word friend in different languages. The changing palette draws readers into the seasons--autumnal colors and hints of chilly breezes soon give way to the beauty of snow flurries and, of course, snowhogs. An endearing and heartwarming journey to define family and self that will resonate deeply. (Fantasy. 5-9)

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Starred review from October 15, 2022
Grades 1-4 *Starred Review* The darling residents of Hedge Hollow return for a second round of adventures, this time taking on the construction of a Friend Fort and a surprising discovery for Hedgehog. Excited that it's her and Mutty's turn to attend Owl's storytime, Hedgehog grabs her stuffed-dog pal and heads along the wooded path to Owl's loft. But en route, an extraordinary thing occurs: Hedgehog comes nose to nose with "a . . . ME!" Spines? Check! Snout? Check! The startled hedgie dashes to Owl's and describes her bewildering experience, prompting Owl to surmise that Hedgehog has met her doppelg�nger. Determined to find this mysterious creature, the friends are joined by Mole and begin their search. Meanwhile, Beaver, Anikka Mae, Hen, and Chicks are busy building a Friend Fort, which comes with its own set of challenges and comical misunderstandings. Liberally illustrated with colorful spot art and full-page scenes, this chapter book will delight young readers with its gentle drama, sweet characters, and humorous charm. Set at the cusp of winter, it makes a perfect seasonal offering that carries a warm message of family love, whatever form one's family may take. Stock your own Friend Fort with cozy companion reads, such as Dan Bar-El's The Very, Very Far North (2019) and Amy Timberlake's Skunk and Badger books.

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