Living with her mother in Switzerland during the time of World War II, Madge moves from the concerns of childhood to the edge of the more adult woes of love and loss, separation and community.

From the Romans who viewed the hedgehog as a weather prophet to modern gardeners who depend on the creature to keep gardens pest-free, the small, spiny animal has had a close connection with humans since the dawn of civilization. A creature of fascination, endearment, and cultural significance, it is one of the few wild animals that people can approach without the fear of attack or it running away. Exploring how this and other characteristics of the hedgehog have propelled it to become one of people’s favorite animals, this book examines the natural and cultural history of these symbolic creatures. Following the hedgehog as it spreads through Europe and Asia to the foot of Africa, Hugh Warwick describes its evolution, behavior, habitat, and diet, as well as its current endangered status. He also looks at the animal’s appeal, accessibility, and status as a pet in many countries, considering its appearance in advertising, films, children’s books, and games. Casting new light on the ancestors of Sonic and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Hedgehog is a fascinating look at these prickly, admirable animals.

A selection of poems written in the form of postcards to celebrate a Summer that never was. Featuring new work from: John Priestley Annie Maclean Ceinwen E Cariad Haydon Romina van Maaren Darren J Beaney Nigel Kent Jane Avery Margaret Royall Sadie Maskery David Mark Williams

A bewitching memoir about the lures, torments, and rewards of making and performing music in the indie rock world Dean Wareham's seminal bands Galaxie 500 and Luna have long been adored by a devoted cult following and extolled by rock critics. Now he brings us the blunt, heartbreaking, and wickedly charismatic account of his personal journey through the music world-the artistry and the hustle, the effortless success and the high living, as well as the bitter pills and self-inflicted wounds. It captures, unsparingly, what has happened to the entire ecosystem of popular music over a time of radical change, when categories such as "indie" and "alternative" meant nothing to those creating the music, but everything to the major labels willing to pay for it. Black Postcards is a must-have for Wareham's many fans, anyone who has ever been in a band, or the listeners who have taken an interest in the indie rock scene over the last twenty years.

Toast a marshmallow, be a tree in winter, read braille — Paul B. Janeczko and Richard Jones invite you to enjoy an assortment of poems that inform and inspire. Today I walked outside and spied a hedgehog on the hill. When she and I met eye to eye, she raised up straight and still. Be they practical (how to mix a pancake or how to bird-watch) or fanciful (how to scare monsters or how to be a snowflake), the poems in this book boast a flair and joy that you won’t find in any instruction manual. Poets from Kwame Alexander to Pat Mora to Allan Wolf share the way to play hard, to love nature, and to be grateful. Soft, evocative illustrations will encourage readers to look at the world with an eye to its countless possibilities. Contributors include: Kwame Alexander Calef Brown Rebecca Kai Dotlich Margarita Engle Ralph Fletcher Douglas Florian Helen Frost Martin Gardner Charles Ghigna Nikki Grimes Anna E. Jordan Karla Kuskin Irene Latham J. Patrick Lewis Marjorie Maddox Elaine Magliaro Pat Mora Christina Rossetti Monica Shannon Marilyn Singer Robert Louis Stevenson Charles Waters April Halprin Wayland Steven Withrow Allan Wolf

"Mrs. Hog had already noticed that the fourth baby was the last to do everything. He seemed to be smaller than the rest, but what worried her more than anything was that he had no spines." Hoglet is a problem hedgehog! With no prickles to defend himself, he needs to overcome his lack of spines and find somewhere safe and warm to hibernate for the winter. Hoglet is a small hedgehog with a big attitude, but will he survive the worsening weather and other wild creatures of the woods? A heartwarming tale, set in the Scottish countryside, of one little hedgehog's attempts to conquer adversity with politeness--and a certain amount of luck! This delightful and charmingly illustrated book will appeal to young and old alike. (Ages 6-10)