"The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business" by Werner Holzworth has inspired many books. "Ouch!"seems to be amongst these titles. Telling an enjoyable story of a hedgehog preparing for hibernation, this book is well-written and easy for young children to follow. Having prepared her winter nest, the hedgehog manages to get an apple stuck on her spines. Seeking the help of a squirrel, a pig, a frog, and a goat, the hedgehog progresses through the story. Michael Terry's illustrations of the anthropomorphic animals lend a real humanity to them; as an adult reader, you can see the potential for an animation series in this book. The story gives an adult reader many opportunities to read in fun voices, meaning that it is a particularly good book for a teacher to read to their class, or a parent to their child.
Ragnhild Scamell showcases a keen turn of phrasing in this book. The epilogue (below) is enveloping and uses language to soothe the child reader/listener. "Hedgehog squeezed into her little nest. It fitted her perfectly. And it was the best nest ever." Read in a quiet voice, this text provides a clever coda to the exciting progression of the story, easing the listener into the resolution, and providing a peaceful conclusion. The picture bares little comparison to a real hedgehog nest- which are usually located under hedgerows, piles of logs, etc, but fits the text well; the idea of 'squeezing' into a 'little nest' is psychologically emotive, and the illustration depicts the scene that most children would picture. A pause for reflection is definitely needed after reading this to your class- or a peaceful passing into sleep if you are reading this to your child. A wonderful book that is superbly paced and supremely enjoyable.
Recommended to Year Three readers as the text is lengthy and fairly complex; also recommended to read to children of all ages.CLASSROOM EXTRA: Want to see a real hedgehog nest? CLICK HERE for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society page on hedgehog homes.
