The Three Hedgehogs [Hardcover]

Javier Saez Castan (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

In this delightful little book, clever text and colorful artwork tell the story of three very hungry hedgehogs who live on a farm. To satisfy their appetite, they decide to steal some apples from the orchard - but this of course infuriates the farmers. A chase ensues as the farmers set out to arrest the thieves. But all is not what it seems as criminals may just turn out to be heroes.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–Billed as "A pantomime in two acts and a colophon," this delightful story opens with Act I ("The Robbery"). On a lovely fall day, three ingenious hedgehogs happen upon an orchard. After harvesting the apples by rolling around on the ground and making them stick to their spines, they return home, enjoy a satisfying meal, and fall into a long winter's sleep. Enter the owner, a forbiddingly large woman who is infuriated by the loss of her crop. Calling a posse of men, she tries to have the thieves apprehended, but the pursuers decide to wait until spring. Act II details the hedgehogs' capture and subsequent trial, and the wordless colophon shows a celebratory dinner in honor of the unexpected verdict. Utterly charming illustrations–rendered in hazy, earth-toned oils and featuring gently rounded, primitive figures–and multilingual wordplay make this mock pantomime an ideal introduction to theater. From the "Dramatis Personae" listed at the opening to the closing note ("Cuique Suum"–"To each his own"), the gentle humor and sophistication will give young listeners a sense of being in the know. A glossary gives definitions of the Chinese, English, French, Latin, and Spanish terms used in the text and illustrations. While children may not pick up this English translation of Los Tres Erizos on their own, it makes an amusing and fascinating read-aloud. Pair this imaginative offering with Lena Anderson's Hedgehog's Secret (R & S, 2001) for a storytime featuring gentle tales about prickly, but charismatic, animals.–Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Groundwood Books (April 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0888995954
• ISBN-13: 978-0888995957
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,815,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Darling!, March 11, 2005

By 

Bucky (Haunted Mansion, The Magic Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Three Hedgehogs (Hardcover)

I adored this book and I'm going to buy it for my niece. Most small children won't get all the plays on words and the foreign language phrases in this charming, charming book, but they will get the utter sweetness of the three little hedgehogs who go out to nick some apples from an old lady's orchard and wind up in a heap of trouble. I loved the mellow illustrations in this book, especially the hedgehogs in their chef's hats and aprons. And the way they pick up and carry the apples home will have small kids rolling on the floor, it's so delightful. This is an utterly darling book and I wholeheartedly recommend it for everyone!