Hedgie's Surprise

Hedgie's Surprise follows a determined hedgehog who helps Henny, a hen trying to protect her eggs from a thieving Tomten. The Tomten, a small gnome from Scandinavian folklore, keeps taking Henny's eggs each morning for his breakfast. Hedgie and Henny work together to devise a plan to stop the Tomten's daily egg theft. Their strategy involves leaving something unexpected in the nest for the Tomten to find instead of an egg. The tale unfolds in Brett's signature illustration style with detailed borders that offer glimpses of simultaneous events happening around the main story. The artwork incorporates traditional Scandinavian designs and winter landscapes. This story explores themes of friendship, problem-solving, and standing up to bullies through clever rather than confrontational means. The incorporation of Scandinavian folklore adds cultural depth to this picture book.

Readers describe this as an engaging take on a classic folktale, with Brett's detailed illustrations being the standout feature. Parents note the book holds children's attention through the creative problem-solving elements. What readers liked: - Intricate border illustrations that foreshadow events - Cultural elements and traditional story structure - Length works well for bedtime reading - Appeals to ages 3-7 - Teaches cleverness over force What readers disliked: - Some found the story predictable - A few mentioned it's not as memorable as other Jan Brett books - Price point considered high for length Ratings: Goodreads: 4.16/5 (1,897 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (185 reviews) Common reader comments: "The illustrations tell their own story in the borders" - Goodreads reviewer "My kids love spotting details in the pictures" - Amazon reviewer "Not her best work but still charming" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

The Mitten by Jan Brett A collection of forest animals squeeze into a lost mitten until a tiny mouse causes everyone to tumble out into the snow.

Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes A mouse named Chester meets an unconventional new neighbor who interrupts his routines and changes his perspective about friendship.

The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone A hen's barnyard friends refuse to help with planting and harvesting wheat, leading to a lesson about work and rewards.

The Hat by Jan Brett A hedgehog gets stuck in a stocking, prompting other farm animals to seek their own winter headwear.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter A rabbit ventures into a garden despite his mother's warning and must escape from the gardener while losing his shoes and coat.

🥚 Hedgie, the hedgehog character, appears in several of Jan Brett's books, including "The Hat" and "The Mitten," becoming a beloved recurring character in her stories. 🎨 Jan Brett's detailed illustrations feature her signature side panels, which give readers a glimpse of what's about to happen next in the story, adding an extra layer of engagement. 🐔 The Tomten (a Scandinavian folklore creature) featured in the story is based on traditional Norse mythology, where these beings are known to help around farms but also play tricks. 🏡 The story takes place in a Swedish farmhouse, reflecting Jan Brett's deep interest in Scandinavian culture, which she researched during numerous trips to Nordic countries. 📚 The clever solution of using a wooden egg to trick the Tomten was inspired by a real-world farming practice used to encourage hens to lay eggs in specific locations.