Hedgehug

PreS—Hedgehug has been waiting eagerly for Valentine's Day because he is certain he will fall in love on that day. He has even made a valentine to give to his special sweetheart when he finds her. However, when the day finally comes, Hedgehug runs into trouble. In quick succession, a bunny, an owl, and a boar all reject him when he tries to hug them. The boar adds insult to injury by butting him and ruining his valentine. But as Hedgehug turns to go home, very sad and lonely, there is a tap on his shoulder and an armadillo hands him his own discarded valentine with his name crossed out and hers added, saying "P.S. I like your spikes." The small book's illustrations are done in bright colors painted as if they were collages done by a very young child, and in a couple of cases the almost impressionistic pictures are a little hard to decipher. For instance, it is hard to tell at first that Hedgehug even has spikes. Patti Stren's Hug Me (HarperCollins, 2001) has a similar story line, but features a porcupine that wants hugs. An additional purchase.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA