New Early Readers: Squirrels, Monsters, and Hedgehogs

Donut Feed the Squirrels, Monster and Boy, and Our Friend Hedgehog offer interesting new reading for new/early readers. Please note that the first two are series openers; we have not read the rest of the series and cannot vouch for content in the sequels. We hope the authors continue producing books in the same vein (or better).

Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song (Norma and Belly #1). Random House Graphic, 2020. 112 pages.

Reading Level: Early Readers, ages 4-8

Recommended For: Ages 4-8

Norma and Belly smell donuts. Mmmm. Donuts sound much better than chestnuts. Perhaps they can trade chestnuts for donuts? Dutifully, Norma and Belly gather up lots of chestnuts and offer them up at the window of the donut food truck. “Stay hungry!” they tell their friends. But, shocker, the man who runs the donut food truck views squirrels as pests. He sprays them with water! Now what?

Graphic novel style panels full of adorable squirrels (and silly antics) make this early reader a delight. Young children will enjoy “telling” the story from the pictures while new readers can read the story on their own. Minimal lines, a simple color palette, and speech bubbles echo Elephant and Piggie books; the reading level is also similar.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

• Worldview/Moral Rating: 4 out of 5
• Literary/Artistic Rating: 4 out of 5

Monster and Boy by Hannah Barnaby and illustrated by Anoosha Syed. Henry Holt and Co, 2020. 144 pages.

Reading Level: Early Readers, ages 4-8

Recommended For: Ages 4-8 (see review)

Monster and Boy is an interesting little chapter book that is hard to place. Is it scary? Is it sweet? Both, depending on the child. The monster lives under the boy’s bed, and he loves to listen to the boy. But since the monster is nocturnal, and the boy isn’t, they haven’t actually met in person… until the boy’s mother is reading a story about monsters and makes that typical maternal pronouncement: “Monsters aren’t real.” Well, the monster knows she’s wrong, and he’s determined to prove it! Unfortunately, his good intentions go awry, and he ends up swallowing the boy! The boy survives, but he’s now tiny. Notwithstanding their, um, interesting introduction, the two become friends and spend the rest of the book having adventures.

The illustrations in this book are plentiful, although the text is more like a traditional chapter book than an early reader. Text includes several authorial intrusions, keeping the tone light and friendly (despite the monster’s swallowing of the boy); most children won’t be frightened by it. However, this little book is an odd one. Some will love it, others will be somewhat mystified. Readers who start reading at an older age will enjoy this as a change of pace from the more juvenile early chapter books. Check it out from your local library first before buying.

Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us by Lauren Castillo. Knopf, 2020. 112 pages.

Reading Level: Early Readers, ages 4-8

Recommended For: Ages 0-10, as a read aloud or independent read

Sometimes you make a friend and it feels like you have known that friend your entire life. Hedgehog, Mutty, Mole, Owl, Beaver, Hen and Chicks, and me, Annika Mae.

You might think it has always been this way, but it has not.

There was a series of events that brought us all together.

This is our friendship story.

This is the story of us.

~the Introduction

The story begins with Hedgehog and Mutty, best friends who live together on a tiny island. One night, a Terrible Storm sweeps Mutty away. Hedgehog must find Mutty! And the adventure begins. As Hedgehog hunts for Mutty, she meets a cast of interesting characters, including Annika-Mae (the narrator). Each new friend helps Hedgehog hunt for Mutty as only they can. Finally, all’s well that ends well, and Annika-Mae is prompted to tell the “story of us.”

Readers will be reminded of both Winnie-the-Pooh and The Wind in the Willows, although Our Friend Hedgehog isn’t as robust (or timeless) as those classics. Still, this is a sweet, charming little book that new readers will enjoy, particularly those who start reading at a young age who benefit from more childlike stories than some chapter books provide. Illustrations are delightful and complement the text well. Look for it at your local library. (Of possible interest: Our Hedgehog Friend was just announced the Cybils 2020 winner for the early reader category.)

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

• Worldview/Moral Rating: 4.25 out of 5
• Literary/Artistic Rating: 3.75 out of 5

Read more about our ratings here.

Related Reading From Redeemed Reader

• 3 Reviews: We’ve reviewed several of Lauren Castillo’s books on Redeemed Reader: Nana in the City, Christmas is Here, and Yard Sale
• A Resource: More Early Readers! (Browse our collection of easy reader reviews)
• A Reflection: “Voyages of Discovery,” or, How NOT to Teach Reading

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