THE NIGHT OF THE HEDGEHOG

Nighttime is the best time to observe a bevy of traveling critters.

Rosie’s gentle rhyming text follows a father and child as they slip barefoot into their moonlit yard to await their regular visitors—a hedgehog family. The narrative evokes the hushed anticipation of nighttime wildlife observation, from the initial whispered wake-up call to the magical moment when not just one but four hedgehogs appear at their water dish. Rosie’s verse flows naturally with a soothing rhythm perfect for bedtime reading, employing simple rhymes that never feel forced (“THE HEDGEHOG, it came on a warm, dry night. / My papa, he saw it, with the old flashlight”). Groenink’s mixed-media illustrations bathe every scene in rich blue twilight tones, punctuated by warm golden pools of light from windows, doorways, and Papa’s flashlight, creating an atmosphere of safe, nocturnal wonder. The detailed artwork captures both the cozy domesticity of the father-child relationship and the wild charm of the hedgehogs, rendered with careful attention to their spiky texture and endearing expressions. The illustrations cleverly incorporate informational elements, showing the “hedgehog highway” tunnel that the family has created and ending with a bird’s-eye view that traces the animals’ journey through neighbors’ yards. While the premise may be modest, the execution elevates this simple wildlife encounter into something genuinely magical, celebrating both the natural world and the special bond between parent and child.

A sweet reminder that wonder awaits in our own backyards.