Walker The Happy Hedgehog Band

Editorial Reviews Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly A band of animals--egged on by a particularly gleeful hedgehog named Harry--make a joyful noise in the forest in this exuberant escapade. Barton's winsome, softly shaded watercolors chronicle the ensemble's journey from modest beginnings (one hedgehog, one drum) to a triumphantly cacophonous conclusion, where critters of every persuasion join in the al fresco jam session. Waddell's ( Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? ) streamlined text is a preschooler's delight (``All the woods were humming and tumming and drumming'') and a captivating read-aloud. Young audiences will join eagerly in the fun and buzz, clap, hoot, click and drum along with Harry and his pals. Ages 3-up. (May) School Library Journal - School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1-- Harry's drumming is so infectious that he is joined by three other hedgehogs. Soon, the four friends have the woods ``humming and tumming with drumming.'' When all the other animals cry `` `STOP' '' because they want to play too, Harry suggests they use their bodies to clap, click, hum, hoot, and pop. So they do, in two double-page spreads that include printed words of the sound each animal is making. The theme of the joys of making your own music is secondary to Barton's watercolors of the winsome, jubilant musicians. While teachers may find this a good jumping-off point for making music with children, the story lacks rhythm and zing. Bill Staines's All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir (Dutton, 1989) does a better job with the same idea. --Susan Hepler, Alexandria City Public Schools, VA