Who Has A Pet Hedgehog? (1)
Pet Shop Adventures Series
What’s inside...
Who Has A Pet Hedgehog? (1) is a delightful children's book by Jan Heng that follows the adventures of a young girl and her pet hedgehog, Odin. Inspired by the real-life bond between the author's daughter, Victoria, and their pet hedgehog, the book explores the unique characteristics, care, and responsibilities of having a hedgehog as a pet. Through colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling, it introduces housing, diet, health, handling, and bonding. It also shares how the family incorporates Odin into special occasions by decorating his enclosure, providing an educational yet heartwarming read for children curious about hedgehogs and pet ownership.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-7
Length
34 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to have a pet hedgehog? How would you take care of it?
How do the other animals in the story feel about the hedgehog? Can you relate to any of their feelings?
What did you learn about friendship from this book?
If you could choose any animal from the book to be your pet, which one would it be and why?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in a different place, like a forest or a beach?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts freely by affirming their feelings and ideas. Ask them to draw their favorite scene from the book to deepen their connection with the story. Relate personal pet experiences or desires, creating a shared bonding moment. Explore more about hedgehogs together online or via library books to extend learning beyond the story. Compare and contrast aspects of the book with your child’s daily experiences or other stories they know.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story demonstrates the lesson of responsibility through the character's daily tasks of caring for their pet hedgehog, including feeding, cleaning, and ensuring its safety.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take responsibility for their actions and duties, like tasks at home, homework, or caring for pets.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The narrative illustrates empathy by showing how the character pays attention to the hedgehog’s needs and moods, learning to care for it gently and lovingly.
Real-World Application: This lesson promotes understanding and consideration towards the feelings and needs of others, helping children to be more compassionate in interactions with both animals and people.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The book showcases the character's curiosity about hedgehogs and motivates them to learn more about their habits and needs.
Real-World Application: Stimulates a child’s curiosity to explore and learn more about the natural world and the species that inhabit it, fostering a love for learning and discovery.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: Handling a shy and nocturnal animal like a hedgehog teaches the character patience, as they must wait quietly and calmly for the pet to become comfortable and active.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the value of patience in achieving trust and results, whether with pets, friends, or any personal goals.
Example Lesson: Commitment
Explanation: The book portrays the ongoing care the pet requires, emphasizing that having a pet is a long-term commitment that needs consistent attention.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to stick with their responsibilities and shows the rewards of sustained effort and dedication.