Thursday, May 13, 2021

Help! A story of friendship by Holly Keller


"Mouse whispered ... 'Fox told Skunk and Skunk told me that snakes are very dangerous to mice."

If this a helpful comment? Is this true? Hedgehog knows snake is their friend. What can Hedgehog do?

"That's silly gossip ... You know Snake would never hurt you."

Hedgehog and Mouse set off walking but Mouse keeps looking over his shoulder and so does not notice a hole, a long skinny hole which plunges deep into the ground. Mouse falls down the hole and his leg is hurt.  How can his friends - Hedgehog, Squirrel or Rabbit rescue him? And how will Snake feel when he is told Mouse is now afraid of his old friend? 

Kirkus say this is a predictable story with a clear moral lesson but I disagree.  I think if you read this book to a very young child the ending and solution may be a surprise and your young reading companion is sure to enjoy the vibrant textured illustrations and the warm hug on the final page. Help! was first published in 2007 but it is still available though sadly it is expensive here in Australia.



Farfallina and Marcel also by Holly Keller is one of my favourite picture books. 

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