October 2, 2017
In Porcupine’s neck of the woods, all of the other animals are hug crazy. That makes Porcupine the odd creature out—no one wants to get stuck by his quills. Lashing out in his loneliness (“I don’t need a hug from any of you!”), he heads off to sulk. Luckily, he meets Armadillo, who explains that there’s an alternative to hugging: a prickle-free kiss on the nose. With Armadillo’s assistance, Porcupine converts the entire forest from huggers to smoochers. Books about the hugging woes of hedgehogs and porcupines are many, but Waring’s story is powerful. Readers will instantly see the forest as a place that has become hidebound in its hugging, and it’s easy to feel the sting of being left out. When Porcupine finds someone who sees the world in a way that plays to his strengths, it’s a game changer. Waring (Truck, Truck, Goose!) heightens the impact of the denouement with the book’s only wordless spread: Porcupine and his friend must make their way across an expanse of moonlit forest before they can share their kissing breakthrough. Ages 3–6. Agent: Alli Brydon, Bright Group.
October 1, 2017
Poor Porcupine longs for some physical affection. Won't anyone give him a hug?It's especially tough for Porcupine, who lives in a forest full of creatures who love to give and receive hugs...just not with him. They talk behind his back about how he's too prickly and grumpy, but who wouldn't be without someone to show their love? Porcupine tries to hug himself, but even he gets prickled. Perhaps if he shook off his quills? Blunted them against a tree? Covered them with moss? Armadillo points out how silly Porcupine looks covered in moss but then suggests something the prickly mammal has never heard of: a kiss. "Mwah!" "Porcupine felt happy and warm and not the least bit grumpy." But will the other forest animals take to kissing? With Armadillo's help, Porcupine shows them what a kiss is, and a new ritual is born. And fittingly, the tale ends with Porcupine helping another outsider feel included. Waring's illustrations appear to be digital and portray a forest of scratchily-furred animals with expressive faces. Yep, a kiss is a mighty powerful thing to combat loneliness and exclusion. (Picture book. 3-7)
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November 1, 2017
Toddler-PreS-When night falls on the forest, all of the animals get good night hugs from one another. All of them except for Porcupine, that is. Porcupine's spiky quills frighten the other animals and they see him as being too grumpy. Porcupine is quick to point out that he doesn't need a hug-but maybe he does want one. The lack of affection is what makes him grumpy, so he sets off in a huff to make himself more huggable. In the process, Porcupine is found by Armadillo. Armadillo, who has a thick leather shell, offers Porcupine a kiss instead. After receiving a quick kiss on the nose, Porcupine feels much better about life. Armadillo helps Porcupine build up the courage to teach the other forest animals about kissing and soon, everyone wants in on the action. The artwork, also done by the author, is sweet and charming. The prickly nature of Porcupine and some sly humor keep the story from being overly saccharine. Waring's narrative shows that everybody deserves affection, even if some people give and receive their love in different ways. VERDICT This satisfying story of friendly love is a worthy purchase. A solid choice for storytime sharing.-Gretchen Hardin, Sterling Municipal Library, Baytown, TX
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2018
Bully-ish forest animals will not hug prickly porcupine...but they'll gladly kiss him when a wise armadillo introduces this alternative form of affection. The book is both familiar, premise-wise, and a little perverse--particularly given the kiss-happy animals' initial teasing. Soft but saccharine illustrations accompany the text.
(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)