Downpour

PreS-K—The red from a field of poppies washes over the world after a long rainstorm. Hedgehog follows the path of crimson as it makes its mark on everything, from fox feet and a man's beard to fish scales and river light. Bleached of their color, the flowers are restored to their original shade with a can of paint by the enterprising Hedgehog. This salute to red has a few misses, as when the thorns mentioned are barely visible. However, Shaughnessy's line drawings are dynamic, with spots of scarlet as embellishment. The animal's personality charms from the first spread, as it uses a newspaper to avoid rain while wearing red rain boots. Hedgehog also mails a love letter, knits directly from a ram's coat, and cuts out a paper butterfly banner. Martin's rhythmic text and use of repetition and alliteration, coupled with graceful scenes of nature celebrating the day's downpour, make a soothing read aloud.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA