Overview

"When Hedgehog builds his hut in the middle of the road, his neighbors, Rabbit and Mouse are upset that they are unable to pass. ""Who cares?"" says Hedgehog. But when there's trouble Hedgehog realizes how important being part of a community really is. Whether caring for your neighbor or the planet we all call home, there is much to learn from the ancient Jewish teachings on which this story is based."

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Reviews

"When Hedgehog builds a new home in the middle of the road, he is disturbing property that belongs to everyone. He acts selfishly and ignores the complaints of his new neighbors. But when he is flooded out, those same neighbors save him and take him home to warmth and safety. Hedgehog is grateful for their friendship and becomes a good neighbor. After the storm, he helps to rebuild the path as a garden for all to share. Although this little book is based on a parable from the Talmud, the theme is universal: ""We are all responsible for each other and for the planet we share."" Neri Aluma created a lovely story in this retelling of the tale in a child friendly story appropriate for little ones and Ilana Kurshan's translation is delightful. I loved Amit Trainin's colorful illustrations. They were full of amusing details like the labeled moving boxes in Hedgehog's home and the tea and tissues provided by his new friends....I thought that this book was adorable and would make a nice addition to a preschooler's home library or for a classroom library as well. It is a great story for teaching friendship or ecology.--Julie Ditton ""Storybook Lady"" While digging a burrow, Mr. Hedgehog flings dirt onto the path shared by other animals.When Rabbit sees the dirt blocking the way, he and his friend Mouse confront Hedgehog. ""Who cares?"" Hedgehog retorts. ""This path isn't mine. / I only care about my burrow-- / warm and snug and fine."" Hedgehog threatens to prick them with his quills. Nevertheless, Rabbit and Mouse come to Hedgehog's rescue when he nearly drowns during a fierce thunderstorm. Ashamed of his bad behavior, Hedgehog has learned a valuable lesson: ""This path is not just mine-- / it's all of ours to share."" Translated from Hebrew, quatrains with an ABCB rhyme scheme read aloud easily, almost like nursery rhymes, but it's the flat, colorful, na�ve illustrations that stand out. The three animal characters are outlined in black or red, with scratchlike markings depicting their quills or furry skin. Intense blue skies, richly hued flowers, and deep-green grass have the vitality of tempera paint. The animals' homes are cozy; boxes are marked for moving-in in Hedgehog's new abode, and at Rabbit's home, Hedgehog is offered tea and tissues. In the backmatter, Aluma notes that she was inspired by a Talmudic story, but the message is a universal one that will especially resonate in a world crying out for friendship and caring. A charming read-aloud and a much-needed reminder that we all share the same path. (Picture book. 3-6)-- ""Kirkus Reviews"""

Author Information

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Neri Aluma was born on a Kibbutz in Israel. She is an editor for children's and youth literature at Hakibbutz Hameuchad - Sifriat Poalim Publishing House. Neri has published a collection of poems, eleven books for children and a YA novel. She was awarded the Ze'ev Prize in 2007. Neri lives in Kiriat Tivon. (hometown: Kiriat Tivon, Israel) ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Amit Trainin is an Israeli illustrator and a lecturer in the visual communication department at The Betzalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem. Amit has won prizes for his illustrations in Israel and worldwide. His works have been exhibited in many galleries and museums. Amit has a studio in Tel Aviv, where he drinks a lot of coffee and illustrates from dawn to dusk. (hometown: Tel Aviv, Israel) ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR: Ilana Kurshan is an American-Israeli author who lives in Jerusalem. She is the author of Why Is This Night Different from All Other Nights?: The Four Questions Around the World and If All the Seas Were Ink. The latter won the Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature in 2018. (hometown: Jerusalem, Israel)

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