Author:
M. Christina Butler
Illustrator: Tina
Macnaughton
Summary: The wind is blowing hard
so that Little Hedgehog’s nest is toppled. He puts on all his winter clothes
and heads to Badger’s warmer home. Along the way, he meets other animal friends
who are shivering in the terribly frigid wind. In his generosity, Little Hedgehog
gives his mittens, hat, and scarf to his cold friends. When he reaches Badger’s
place, he is covered in ice. Badger greets him, warms him, and listens to his
story. After the storm, Little Hedgehog returns to his home with little hope
for recovering it. He is surprised to find his home rebuilt, stronger and cozier
than ever, by the friends who benefited from his generosity.
Hanna’s Comments: Sometimes stories for the youngest children have such mature
meaning and relate directly to the scriptures. This is not just a story of
generosity and the payback that sometimes comes. It is also about a community coming
together to help others endure and then recover after a storm.
Want a similar but more comical story for older children? Check out The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Donaldson & Scheffler. In this book, a giant buys new clothes and then begins giving them away.
Publisher & Date of Publication: Good Books, 2006
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up
# of Pages:
28
Available in Spanish? Not at present
Formats other than Book: Audio CD, There are amateur videos on
Youtube.com.
PBT Category:
Post 2K
PBT Topics this Book Connects with: body of Christ, caring/tending,
clothes/shoes, comfort, community, difficulties, fruit/fruit of the Spirit,
generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, God’s care/providence, God’s nature,
goodness, gratitude/thanksgiving, helping, heroes, home, homelessness,
humility, image of God, intercession, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests,
kindness, kingdom of God/reign of God, love, manna, neighbors, neighborhood,
nurturing, outreach, perseverance, possessions, poverty, righteousness,
risking, sacrifice, safe place/sanctuary, security, sharing, snow, storms,
tragedy, unity, weather
Scripture Connections: If anyone wants your coat, give your cloak as
well (Matthew 5:40); just as you did it to one of the least of these (Matthew
25:40)
Idea(s) for Application: Besides encouraging a conversation about
generosity and outreach, this book could serve as a useful tool for children
who are recuperating from a disaster. After a disaster, talking about what has
happened to your family, members of your family of faith, or others in your
community can be very healing and motivating.
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