Wish You Were Here [Hardcover]

Moritz Petz (Author), Quentin Greban (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2005

Hedgehog has to go away—for five long days—and Mouse has to stay at home alone. How they will miss each other! In alternating scenes, Hedgehog and Mouse count down the days, always thinking of their absent friend.

Five days until I see my mouse. Today I went to the beach where I found a seashell. I'm going to bring it home to my mouse.

Five more days until I'll see my hedgehog again. Every night at eight o'clock, I look at the bright star to the left of the moon. And then we think about each other.

But on the day of their reunion a misunderstanding finds them both all alone at the train station. Did Hedgehog decide not to return? Has Mouse forgotten him? Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder in this sweet story.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–Hedgehog and Mouse declare how much they miss one another during Hedgehog's five-day vacation at the shore. He thinks of her each day, and they exchange letters. He meets others on his trip, but soon realizes that he could never find as good a friend as Mouse. She thinks, Three days left until Hedgehog comes home. Full-bleed color illustrations face pages of text and a smaller picture. The tender artwork serves to move the story along to the penultimate spread, at the train station. Children can look for Hedgehog, who is partially obscured in one part of the scene, while Mouse searches in another corner. As the page is turned, readers are reassured that the friends find one another. In addition, young readers can practice counting back down from the five vacation days each time the story is repeated. Use this simple story with children who might be missing someone to give them the reassurance that the anticipated day will indeed arrive.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. A familiar theme of friends suffering the pangs of separation is individualized with a simple plot construct and charming watercolor illustrations. In alternating narratives by Hedgehog (he) and Mouse (she)^B, the book counts down the five days before Hedgehog returns home,^B during which the two exchange airmail letters carried by a gull with a mailbag. Each night at the same time, Mouse and Hedgehog look up at the bright star just to the left of the moon and think of each other. Although Hedgehog and Mouse miss one another other at the train station, they are finally reunited and vow always to travel together. Each double-page spread comprises a full-page^B illustration set opposite spot art and text. Touches of the tale's Swiss origin occasionally appear (for example, windmills in the background), but the focus is clearly on the relationship of an unlikely but likable pair. A tranquil animal romance, gentle and appealing. Julie Cummins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: North-South / Night Sky Books (September 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735820058
• ISBN-13: 978-0735820050
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,480,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I only wish it were longer..., March 1, 2011

By 

Cattereia - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wish You Were Here (Hardcover)

As a book lover- and an artist- I think this is a perfect book. It's a lovely tale and every illustration is perfect. The storyline works well and we get an adequate look into the experiences of both characters. I think it would work well for a longer story, possibly even a novel.
However, for the length and style it is, this book is perfect!

5.0 out of 5 stars A story about yearning for a beloved person and reunion, December 24, 2005

By 

Karla K. "Balderschwang" (germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wish You Were Here (Hardcover)

The hedgehog made a journey and the mouse stayed at home. Both of them are
counting the days until they meet again. A moving, romantic story about the
yearning for a beloved person and the reunion.
The illustrations with their charming composition fit excellent to the text,
and the book also suits as a present for (enamored) adults.
My children especially considered the drawn characters to be quite
delightful.
This book is a also a proper present for valentine's day.