November 7, 2025
Oooo oooo I finally found a picture book that made me smile. So many serious picture books have been released this year, and I cannot fathom why. Pretty sure the last thing kids need is a book about hard times. Because they are living through hard times. La la la! Back to the fun stuff!
Boar and Hedgehog are not friends. Boar doesn’t have friends. One day, Hedgehog walks by Boar’s den and suggests he move it to a sunnier, warmer place. Boar tells Hedgehog to move along with his opinions. But later that night, as cold water drips into his snout and groundwater seeps into his back, he decides to move the den. Later, Hedgehog sees Boar’s new den and suggests he maybe move it farther away from the river before the rainy season. Boar’s “Maybe stop giving me advice” was a personal favorite of mine. As well as Hedgehog’s "Whateves."
Also loving that Boar calls Hedgehog a busybody, cause I was thinking the same thing. Boar once again moves the den close to a strawberry patch. But after “overdoing it” on strawberries and experiencing “dyspepsia”, Hedgehog gives Boar some peppermint leaves to calm his stomach. Later, Hedgehog finds himself in a bind, and after questioning why he should help, Boar ends up helping anyway and finds out he likes being needed. Boar is relatable. Hedgehog is relatable. I can only assume my friends have rolled their eyes at me and called me a busybody. But also they are.
Bits and Pieces: The illustrations were done in mixed media and assembled digitally. I liked how Boar added a flower to his hat when he decided to be Hedgehog’s friend. And that his nightcap matched his nightgown. Also, if this sounds like your bag, check out Baabwaa and Wooliam: A Tale of Literacy, Dental Hygiene, and Friendship, also by Elliot. My good friend Clementine, who is 3 years old, told me that that may be her favorite of Elliot's books.
Not Sure About: I tried to read this to my nephew, and we never got past the first page because we had to talk about Boar’s blue fur and large tooth. I’m not sure that’s relevant to this review, but I wanted to share my experience in case it happens to you and you find yourself with the same questions.
Favorite Part: Hedgehog’s Suspenders. I’m realizing most of my favorite parts are sartorial choices, but that’s where I am in my life right now. Give me hats. Give me suspenders. Or give me dyspepsia.
