Part of the Our Friend Hedgehog Series

School for Woodland Creatures

Hardcover

Grades K–4
Ages 5–9

It’s the first day of school for Hedgehog and her forest friends in this cozy classroom caper about overcoming doubts and letting your light shine, with full-color art on every page from a beloved Caldecott Honor winner.

We all have different strengths and weaknesses,
Our uniqueness is what makes us shine...

When the humans of Hedge Hollow head off to school, Hedgehog and her furry, feathery friends decide to start a school of their very own!

Owl will teach reading. Beaver will teach shop. Mole will teach geography. Hen will teach math. And Hedgehog . . . Hedgehog isn’t so sure. After all, you have to be an expert to teach a class, don’t you? Hedgehog doesn’t feel like an expert in anything. Lucky for Hedgehog her friends are happy to lend a paw, sharing laughter and kind words as they figure out a solution.

From the award-winning author-illustrator of Our Friend Hedgehog: The Story of Us comes a tale of overcoming doubts and taking pride in doing what you love.

★ "Taps into the best elements of classic bedtime read-alouds...Cheery comforts and the lightest of personality clashes define this newest entry in an already wonderful series." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "[A] clever, endearing story. Fans of Winnie the Pooh and Jill Barklem’s “Brambly Hedge” will find lots to love, and laugh about, in this latest romp into Hedge Hollow." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Full of fun, lovable yet fallible characters, and gentle wisdom that readers can easily take to heart, School for Woodland Creatures is yet another wonderful addition to this superb series." —BookPage, starred review

"Gently explores the complicated feelings that accompany a friend making new friends, as Annika Mae does, and finding confidence during times of change." —Booklist

“Quietly brilliant, Castillo’s Our Friend Hedgehog series is a guileless masterpiece—a beautiful reminder that there is no such thing as a bad day spent in the company of good friends." —Philip & Erin Stead, Caldecott Medal winning author and illustrator of A Sick Day for Amos McGee

“A story of friendship and gentle adventures overland and underground echo the classic Hundred Acre Wood. A great story to discuss how to navigate change in life and how being a good friend, and making friends, makes change easier. A cast of endearingly illustrated characters celebrate how friendships form: through selfless acts of kindness.” —Kathryn Aalto, NYT bestselling author of The Natural World of Winnie the Pooh

"Such a beautiful, immersive, and tender world Lauren Castillo continues to craft in both story and art. Shine on, Hedgehog and friends!" —Matthew Cordell, Caldecott Medal winning author and illustrator of Wolf in the Snow

"Every book in this wonderful series feels like the warmest hug, from Castillo’s cozy illustrations to the lovable woodland friends of Hedge Hollow. Another uplifting tale filled with charm, encouragement to help school-day anxieties, and the sweet affirmation of the beautiful (unique) ways we express ourselves." —Jonathan Stutzman, NYT bestselling author of Tiny T-Rex and the Impossible Hug

"Lauren Castillo’s Our Friend Hedgehog joins a canon of great literary friends — Winnie the Pooh, the Velveteen Rabbit, and Paddington Bear, meet Hedgehog and Annika Mae!” —John Patrick Green, NYT bestselling author of the InvestiGators series

ISBN 9780593898963 (Hardcover)
Published on Jul 14, 2026
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 128
Dimensions 6-3/8 x 8-1/4
Age Range 5-9 years
Grade Grades K-4
Reading Level Lexile: 570L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

ISBN 9780593898970 (Hardcover Library Binding)
Published on Jul 14, 2026
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 128
Dimensions 6-3/8 x 8-1/4
Age Range 5-9 years
Grade Grades K-4
Reading Level Lexile: 570L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

ISBN 9780593898987 (Ebook)
Published on Jul 14, 2026
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages 128
Age Range 5-9 years
Grade Grades K-4
Reading Level Lexile: 570L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

ISBN 9780593898994 (Paperback)
Published on Jul 14, 2026
Published by Yearling
Pages 128
Dimensions 6-3/8 x 8-1/4
Age Range 5-9 years
Grade Grades K-4
Reading Level Lexile: 570L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

ISBN 9798217345762 (Audiobook Download)
Published on Jul 14, 2026
Published by Listening Library
Age Range 5-9 years
Grade Grades K-4
Reading Level Lexile: 570L | Fountas/Pinnell: M

Lauren Castillo

LAUREN CASTILLO studied illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art and received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She is the author and illustrator of the 2015 Caldecott Honor-winning book Nana in the City, as well as The Troublemaker and Melvin and the Boy. Lauren has also illustrated several critically acclaimed picture books, including Twenty Yawns by Jane Smiley, Yard Sale by Eve Bunting, and City Cat by Kate Banks. She currently draws and dreams in Harrisburg, PA.

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