Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A squirrel named Paprika adds some much needed spice to the titular hedgehog's humdrum routine in this chipper friendship tale. After flamboyant Paprika moves into the tree next door, bright red poppies sprouting outside his door hurt C.R.'s eyes, zesty aromas make his nightly dinner of "celery root soup-no lemon" taste bland, and mariachi music rumbles his roof; it's all too much for the quiet, persnickety hedgehog. He's content to read his favorite book, Medical Cures from A to Z, by the fire and treat himself to "one small fig for dessert-but only on Tuesdays." But Paprika's neighborly behavior works its magic, and C.R. decides he'd rather be bothered by the commotion than be lonely. Muir (The Little Bitty Bakery) gets the rhythms of two opposite personalities just right, and sprinkles a piquant note of humor over the proceedings. Hector (The Gentleman Bug) also has fun with the contrasts, from C.R.'s cozy slippers and well-worn sweater to Paprika's outrageously patterned frocks and pinata-festooned abode. Ages 4-8. Agent: Anna J. Webman, Curtis Brown. Illustrator's agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-C. R. Mudgeon is a prickly hedgehog whose orderly life is shaken up by a new neighbor. Paprika has a penchant for bright colors, hot sauce, and maracas. C. R. rebuffs the squirrel's friendly overtures and has to take to his bed to recuperate. Unable to bear the sight of her red poppy garden, the smell of her spices, or the sound of her music any longer, he puts an angry letter in her mailbox telling her to "move to a faraway tree." The next night he regrets his actions: "The quiet gave him a headache." When C. R. finds Paprika sick with the "whooping whiffles," he nurses her back to health. Hector's charcoal and watercolor illustrations are full of witty details, like C. R.'s droopy daisy boutonniere and Paprika's chili-pepper-patterned dress. While C. R. Mudgeon's change of heart comes about rather quickly, children will appreciate the sentiment that "Good friends are the spice of life."-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
C.R. Mudgeon is a hedgehog of habit: everyday it's "celery root soup--no salt," "a cup of dandelion tea--no lemon," and "one small fig for dessert--but only on Tuesdays." New neighbor Miss Paprika teaches him how to shake things up, but in an interesting twist, C.R.'s old habits come in handy. Charcoal and watercolor illustrations depict the creature's curmudgeonly-turned-peppy personality. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
(Picture book. 4-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
