This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
The Adventures of Henry the Hedgehog: The Watering Hole is a social issues picture book for children written by Dr. Renea Skelton and illustrated by Kylie Box. Henry loved spending his days at the watering hole. As he was walking there, Henry heard a whimpering sound coming from the trees. He followed the noise and came upon a crying skunk. When Henry asked her what was wrong, she explained that she didn’t feel like she belonged, and she wished she wasn’t a skunk. Then she told him about her encounter with Olivia the Otter, who called her stinky and smelly, and said skunks weren’t allowed in the watering hole. While the characters are animals, the sadness Shelly the skunk experiences is something many kids face in dealing with others in school and at play. Henry asks after her, and then he gives her time and space to tell him what’s wrong. These simple acts combined with Henry’s calm, caring warmth give Shelly what she needs to share her feelings. When he confides that he has often wished he was a porcupine instead of a little hedgehog, she really gets that he understands, and she begins to feel better about herself and her day.
I love the multifaceted aspects of this book. While we’re following Henry, the author includes interesting facts about watering holes, skunks, otters, and other natural history information. Then she adds questions that work with Henry and Olivia’s conversation, questions that have kids considering if anyone has been mean to them and how that made them feel. Dr. Skelton also shares helpful information for parents and teachers in dealing with kids who are sad. Kylie Box’s illustrations are marvelous! They instill an upbeat sense to the story even while Shelly’s sadness is explored. I love the facial expressions she gives to each of her characters. The Adventures of Henry the Hedgehog: The Watering Hole is a grand selection for storytime. Afterward, young listeners can be prompted to answer or think about the questions posed throughout the book. This book is also written at a level that makes it suitable for young readers to try on their own. Most highly recommended.
