Frequent collaborators Butler and Macnaughton present another Little Hedgehog story, this time about rain and a very special umbrella. After venturing outside, Little Hedgehog first helps a young mole during a rainstorm. When a fox alerts them to the sight of a mouse family in trouble due to rising waters, Hedgehog uses his umbrella as a boat to rescue the family. Later, the umbrella keeps Badger’s house dry inside while the friends enjoy restorative cups of cocoa. The sweet story and illustrations serve to create an experience to which young children will certainly relate. Little Hedgehog is a good role model, showing loving concern, kindness and a generous nature, but there isn’t much story beyond this feel-good message. The Butler/Macnaughton books always have a gimmick as a focus of the illustrations, in this case a shiny overlay on the umbrella and rain gear. The gentle story would have been just as effective, however, without the glittery umbrella and shiny raincoat, and the gimmick does nothing to affect its fundamentally ephemeral nature. (Picture book. 3-7)
