#blogbookaday: Elmore

Summary:  “Elmore is a porcupine desperate to make friends. But it is hard to seek closeness with others when you’re covered with spikes that shoot off your back every so often. Elmore suffers rejection and heartbreak, but the goodness of his forest community ultimately shines through as the animals find a way to connect with this prickly bundle of love.

Holly Hobbie is the creator of the beloved Toot & Puddle series and now brings us a character for the next generation. Just as charming, funny, and good-hearted as her little pigs, Elmore the porcupine will snuggle and prickle his way securely into the picture-book canon.” (Taken from Goodreads)

Review: Elmore lives a solitary life, but he gets lonely! When an ingenious idea takes hold, Elmore knows that he now has a way to make some friends. This adorable little porcupine will have you rooting for him throughout the story. Hobbie’s soft illustrations make you just want to give Elmore a great big cuddle (except of course for those quills!). This would work equally well with toddlers and preschoolers as well as elementary school kids – perfect for a unit on introducing pen pals!

Personal Reaction: I loved Holly’s choice of words in this story – such great vocabulary to share with kids. And although this story has been told before (prickly porcupine wants to make friends) I adored Elmore’s ingenuity in creating an opportunity for pen pals. This sweet little porcupine is too adorable to pass up!

Title: Elmore
Author: Holly Hobbie
Illustrator: Holly Hobbie
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 30, 2018

This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!