Browsing the beginning chapter books: Hello, Hedgehog! Do you like my bike? by Norm Feuti

Genre: Fiction

Protagonists: Animals, implied male gender

Reading Level: H

Series: Currently six titles, with the last released in 2022. Part of the Acorn imprint.

Originally reviewed in August 2019

To be shifted to transitional chapters

Review: Hedgehog and Harry (it doesn't SAY they are a guinea pig, but they look like one to me) are friends, much in the vein of Elephant and Piggie. Hedgehog is enthusiastic, eager to try new things, and wants his friend to come along. Harry is not so sure about new things and a little reluctant to step outside their comfort zone.

The first chapter features Hedgehog alone. He wants to ride his new bike, but he can't find his helmet! In the second chapter, the longest one, Hedgehog introduces Harry to his new bike. Harry is worried, first by the speed with which Harry approaches and then, gulp, Harry wants them to RIDE his bike! Harry finally admits that they can't ride without training wheels and Hedgehog cheerfully says "You will learn when you are ready." In the last chapter, the friends ride to Hedgehog's house and he finds the perfect snack for them to share.

At the end is an introduction to debut author Norm Feuti, a tutorial for drawing Hedgehog, and a few questions to encourage kids to tell their own story. The story is arranged in simple panels with broad white lines between them. Some illustrations are full-page and some are spot illustrations on a white background. Harry's speech bubbles are a pastel pink background and Hedgehog's are a light violet. The text is bold but not as large as a typical easy reader. It's about 300 in lexile levels, so about the right level for a child moving to the upper end of easy readers.

Verdict: This is a light and fun addition to the new imprint, with gentle humor and an example of friendship and kindness.

Revisited: This isn't a super popular series, but it's definitely beloved by my families who like the classic, gentle easy readers like Cynthia Rylant and Arnold Lobel. I hope the series will continue past the current six books.

ISBN: 9781338281392; Published 2019 by Scholastic; Purchased for the library