This book is a Latvian folktale and the folk art is expressed in this story. I would describe it as a reverse beauty and the best! ( )

There are many lessons to be learned from this story. The hedgehog boy is made fun of by everyone, and yet he still manages ti marry a princess and get rid of his spikes eventually. A few of the lessons that come up in this story are not judging based on looks, hard work paying off, and not being greedy. A theme I took from the book was to be grateful for what you have. The hedgehog boy's parents were grateful to have him no matter hoe he looked. The princess wanted her husband to live despite how he looked and how people made fun of him. In the end, all of this paid off and his spikes were gone. ( )

A childless old couple find themselves the recipients of a most unexpected gift from the Mother of the Forest in this traditional Latvian tale, becoming the parents of a prickle-covered infant son. As their hedgehog boy grows up, he becomes a cheerful, industrious help to his adoptive parents, faithfully tending their herd of pigs in the forest. Then one day, he comes to the aid of the king's youngest daughter, setting in motion a chain of events that will lead to his own transformation...

This charming tale from one of the lesser-known folkloric traditions of Europe includes a number of themes that readers in the genre will recognize, from the granting of an unusual child to an elderly couple or parent - notable examples of this tale-type would include Hans My Hedgehog, from the Brothers Grimm, as well as Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina - to the marriage of a young maiden to a "beast-like" groom. I myself was intrigued by the figure of the "Mother of the Forest," as she seems to hearken back to pre-Christian Latvian mythology. Langton's able retelling here is paired with colorful and engaging illustrations by Ilse Plume, making The Hedgehog Boy a pleasure to read. There's even a Latvian daina (folksong) included at the rear! ( )

This book was about an older couple that is given a hedgehog baby as a gift. As the hedgehog boy gets older, he makes an exchange for his daughter's hand in marriage. When they become marriage it seems as if everyone is making fun of them, but that isnt the right thing to do at all just because of the way someone is on the outside. People need to see that everyone shares emotions. ( )

I did not like this book very much. I involved an older couple that is given a hedgehog baby as a gift. When he grows up he makes a deal with the King to help him out of the wood he is lost in, in exchange for his daughter's hand in marriage. Once they are married everyone makes fun of them. The pricess sees his prickly coat one night and decides to burn it. This almost kills the the hedgehog man, but he acclamate himself to life without it, and they live happily ever after. I don't like this story because it almost sends the message of changing yourself to be like everyone else, and once his prickly fur is destroyed everyone loves him, including his new wife and all the kingdom. I think this book is saying the wrong thing, and teaching the wrong message to kids. ( )