Hedgie's Surprise

"Puffa-puffa. Stick-stick," my daughter has been chanting all week long (just try saying it without a smile - I dare you). It's the sound from Hedgie's Surprise title character, who nobly vows to help the hen keep her eggs that are stolen daily by the rude and ungrateful Tomten *, who has tired of his grandmother's porridge.

The story is set on a Danish farm, so once again the decorative borders of each page coordinate. The red-and-white needlepoint design is not as ornate as most of Brett's other borders, and I found the insolent brat Tomten a bit creepy, but Brett's illustrations are superb (as always) and the story of the clever hedgehog is one of her best. (ages 3-7)

* If you're curious about this Scandinavian mythological character, show more here's the Wiki page. show less

A cute little story for young children, one that introduces elements of a Swedish folk tale. Henny the hen lays an egg each morning, and each time the Tomten (a farm troll) takes it away for breakfast. Having seen a duck with ducklings, Hennie wants chicks of her own. And so, Hedgie the Hedgehog helps Henny hide her eggs and replace them (to the Tomten's displeasure) with (successively) an acorn, a strawberry, a mushroom, and a potato; and finally, (to the Tomten's great surprise) prickly Hedgie himself. The tale is simple and well illustrated with color prints.

Hedgie is such a fine character that it seems entirely too bad that only one other book is based on him. Author Jan Brett probably would gather quite a following if she were to show more develop more of a series on Hedgie the loveable Hedgehog. show less

Jan Brett writes a beautiful story but the true star of the show are her gorgeous illustrations. I love how the stunning art in the central picture is augmented by the secondary story being told in the images in the side bar. She is a tee master of her craft.

Felt long. Tomten looked like an 8 yo boy, not a more gnome-like farm-elf. For once Brett's art didn't overwhelm, but then neither was it special.

The farm setting has a different feel for a Jan Brett book but it was still totally enjoyable! It could be pointed out that this is where eggs come from and baby chicks if you wanted to go into more science.

This is a great book to introduce folktale into the classroom. It is also great on a surprise ending, this would be a great example for older students when writing a paper to create a surprise, and unexpected ending. It also creates a fun rhythm of the story by using rhymes.

This book is a classic Jan Brett book with great illustrations. The book follows Henny the hen and her troubles with Tomten. Tomten keeps stealing her eggs to take home and eat. With the help of friends, Henny devises a plan to outwit Tomten and finally get to hatch her eggs.