Hedgie's Surprise

Brett's (The Mitten; The Hat) trademark, elaborately bordered paintings are once again the centerpiece of her latest tale set in timeless rural Scandinavia. And, as in her prior works, the author's endearingly expressive animal characters, depicted in meticulous detail, steal the show. After viewing Goosey-Goosey's brood of chicks, Henny the hen longs for her very own offspring. But each morning a greedy, elf-like "Tomten" steals her newly laid egg, insisting he needs "a little yummy for my hungry, hungry tummy." Henny awakens her friend, Hedgie the hedgehog, with a loud wail, "No eggs, no chicks, no peeping babies," and he offers to help Henny put a stop to the Tomten's thievery. On successive days, her pal plants in Henny's nest an acorn, a strawberry, a mushroom, a potato and--in the ultimate deceit--hides himself in the straw, rolled into a ball, which sends the rogue running after he picks up the prickly fellow. Thanks to Hedgie's cleverness, five eggs hatch into fluffy chicks, fulfilling Henny's wish for a family of her own. Youngsters will be happily diverted by the busy goings-on in both Brett's mainframe illustrations and elegant borders, which feature a red-and-white needlepoint background and egg-shaped spot art that tactically foreshadows the narrative. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2-Henny longs for a brood of peeping chicks but nothing she does can stop the hungry Tomten from taking her egg each morning. Hedgie the hedgehog takes pity on her and devises a trick to defeat the greedy troll. Each night he places a different object in the hen's nest-an acorn, a strawberry, a mushroom, and a potato. When the unsatisfied Tomten finally demands an egg or Henny for his stew pot, Hedgie rolls himself into a prickly ball in the hen's nest, sending the surprised Tomten running away forever. The real surprise is the clutch of eggs Hedgie has stowed in his own nest that hatch into five baby chicks. The tale is adequately told but somewhat overshadowed by Brett's characteristic lavish watercolor illustrations and folk-art designs. The action unfolds in two-page spreads surrounded by needlepoint borders. The designs in the borders change with each page and pick up elements of the story. Watercolor medallions set on each side give additional views of the action: the Tomten in his hayloft; Hedgie climbing into the henhouse with a strawberry stuck on his spines; the nest with the hidden eggs. While this is not one of the author's strongest offerings, the simple story and visual appeal make it an acceptable addition to picture-book collections.-Karen James, Louisville Free Public Library, KY Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.