The Happy Hedgehog

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Summary: I love this book!
Review: I think it is terrific to have a book that tells kids to do what makes them happiest and what they enjoy, not to make themselves miserable just make someone else happy. The pictures are great and the message even better. I've given this one as a gift often, to many rave reviews.

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Summary: Another great Pfister story!
Review: My 3 year-old son likes this even better than "Rainbow Fish", and I didn't think that was possible. Charming illustrations and a practical message make this one a keeper.

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Summary: All work and no play makes for an unhappy hedgehog.
Review: One beautiful day the little hedgehog Mikko is sent out of his beloved garden by his Grandfather Tarek. It seems that Tarek thinks Mikko is lazy and needs to get motivated to make something of his life and earn his happiness. What Mikko sees are a group of animals suffering to make happiness. A gentle narrative voice and some pretty pictures make the story an entertaining read, but the message is poorly presented and weakens the lesson Mikko learns and passes on to his Grandfather.

Rating:
Summary: All work and no play makes for an unhappy hedgehog.
Review: One beautiful day the little hedgehog Mikko is sent out of his beloved garden by his Grandfather Tarek. It seems that Tarek thinks Mikko is lazy and needs to get motivated to make something of his life and earn his happiness. What Mikko sees are a group of animals suffering to make happiness. A gentle narrative voice and some pretty pictures make the story an entertaining read, but the message is poorly presented and weakens the lesson Mikko learns and passes on to his Grandfather.

Rating:
Summary: Not the message I want for my child
Review: The message that we don't need fame or to be the strongest etc. to be happy is a good one, but this book sends a message which is not good. For example, the animal that goes to school spends his whole time memorizig things he doesn't understand, which, yes, is not good but to a child sends the message that school is not good. And then this hedgehog seems to get along knowing about herbs and things without having to work at all, and that more than anything is what's bad about this book. If you want to be good at holistic medicine (like this hedgehog :), you're going to have work for it, and not spend your days laying around in the garden.

Rating:
Summary: Another great Pfister story!
Review: This book attempts to teach young children about how to lead a simple life but instead tells them its bad to try to improve themselves. It's the only children's book I've ever thrown away.