Scorch, Hedgehog of Doom by Cate Berry (review)

Reviewed by: Scorch, Hedgehog of Doom by Cate Berry Kate Quealy-Gainer Berry, Cate Scorch, Hedgehog of Doom; illus. by Margherita Grasso. Page Street, 2024 32p Trade ed. ISBN 9781645678670 18. 99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-8 yrs Unwilling to be like her cutesy, adorable predecessors, the hedgehog of class 402 aims to be ferocious, brutal, and terrifying. The kids, however, aren't buying it—every attempt at fearsomeness is only met with "awwws" and giggles, and Scorch is left shaking her apple slice up to the sky in fury, declaring "I will be doomsy!" Practicing her various kicks, punches, and moves of doom, she accidentally launches herself out of her cage and right into that of her neighbor, a hungry snake. The slithering menace is happy for a snack, but just as it attacks, the hedgehog puts on the charm offensive, looking up with big, shiny eyes, a pudgy belly, and teeny, tiny toebeans. The snake now tamed, Scorch realizes her true power in being "ferociously adorable. " There's storytime gold here for the performer willing to truly embrace a dramatic telling, and the contrast between Scorch's desire to be as "doomsy" as possible with her undeniably loveable appearance ensures plenty of giggles. Split End Page 352 angles and a few closeups bring movement to otherwise flat digital art, but the stylized cartoonishness of the children and the aforementioned shiny eyes, pudgy belly, and teeny, tiny toebeans offer the most visual appeal. Pair with Miller's I Am a Wolf (BCCB 5/19) for a reminder that cuteness is its own superpower. Copyright © 2024 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois