The New Arrival

"A beautifully illustrated, touching story about a small hedgehog, Sam, who has to venture out, as all hedgehogs do, and find a home for himself...this story will help to prepare young children for that first day anywhere. The charming traditional illustrations with the cheeky woodland creatures making witty remarks will bring a smile to anyone's face. It is a perfect story to share with younger children at home and at school and to give to slightly older chidlren to read independently as they seek reassurance."
School Library Journal

"An awfully sweet-looking baby hedgehog named Sam is in search of his forever home. He finds one--it's a good one, too--in the hollow of a tree. The problem? He is lonely. Yes, the searching-for-friends theme is a common one in picture books, but Nastanlieva's sketchy illustrations are the very definition of lovable, as they depict the hedgehog seesawing alone (on the other end, rather pitifully, is a strawberry) and hunting for a friend. He sets off in the rain with a leaf umbrella, and kids will notice that he is followed by a wide range of woodland folk, all of whom seem like good friend candidates. After a bit, Sam decides to post notices reading "Wanted: A Friend. Hedgehog at the Hollow Tree," using his quills to tack them to trees. Soon, not only is he still friendless, he is bald to boot... Cute animals abound, and full-circle moments (Sam seesaws with a rabbit in the end) make for a warmhearted story."
Booklist, Ann Kelley

"Nastanlieva's illustrations combine autumnal honey and pea green shades with forceful pencil lines that evoke strong winds, rough bark, and scraggly undergrowth. The forest atmosphere, charming details (Sam shows up with his belongings in a traveler's bindle), and tender formality of Nastanlieva's introduction to the story--"When you are a little hedgehog, even a few weeks old, you must find your own place to live"--happily call to mind the Hundred Acre Wood."
Publisher's Weekly

"Ample white space keeps the focus squarely on these dramatically dissimilar animals (Beau's hulking form fills many of the spreads, while Mo rises barely above the bear's paw). It's a simple yet striking story about the dynamics of parallel play and of making friends."
Publisher's Weekly

"Meet Mo and Beau, two instantly loveable characters. Very different in size and stature, but in many ways just the same...This is a great book to read aloud with a younger or emerging reader. With minimal text and a great bed time theme, it can't fail to please any child or weary parent."
Picture Books Blogger