I HATE LOVE

Hedgehogs deal with the highs and lows of romance.

Harry the Hedgehog is frustrated to hear that his friend Randy can’t help him search for worms in the long grass. Instead, Randy’s going off to watch the sunset with his newfound paramour, Becky. “Ever since Randy met Becky, he’s been as dull as a donkey,” says Harry. “I hate love! I’ll go worm hunting by myself.” As Harry dramatically marches away, a sweet female hedgehog named Annie greets him, but he snarls and stomps off, breaking his glasses in the process. Detailed and energetic pictures capture curmudgeonly Harry as he goes off on his own to find worms and is suddenly entranced by what appears to be a beautiful floating hedgehog hiding in the grass. Could this be love? Why won’t the mysterious hedgehog speak? Why doesn’t she respond to the worms, acorns, cherries, and flowers he’s offering? And what about the lovestruck Annie, who is waiting in the wings? Though somewhat meandering, this story, originally published in Dutch, has charm and is sprinkled with warmth and gentle humor; it will elicit oohs and aahs (and perhaps a few age-appropriate groans) from its young audience, and future romantics will find satisfaction in the happy if rather predictable ending. It should also make a pleasing choice for Valentine’s Day.

A quirky tale of romance, hedgehog-style.