This is a great little book that implies religion, without ever mentioning religion. The moral of the story is that many people have a faith, whilst not all believing in the same thing - and that is okay. I think it would have had a better outcome if religion was mentioned, because nuance is just too subtle for the intended young audience of this book. Otherwise some beautiful illustrations and words.

Buquet’s Herodotus the Hedgehog follows the titular hedgehog as he explores the forests and meadows around his home. Everything is fascinating to Herodotus! One day, Herodotus comes across a bear dancing in the forest, making offering to the Great Bear Spirit. Then he learns that foxes also have a Great Fox Spirit. He asks the elderly Venerable, oldest of the hedgepigs, if there was a Great Hedgehog Spirit. Venerable says hedgepigs are humble creatures, concerned only that the sun rises and sets.

Herodotus decides to ask all the animals if they, too, have Great Spirits. He learned about the Great Weasel, the Great Sheep, the Great Wolf, and so on, til Hoopoe said that there was only one Great Spirit, who made all creatures. Raven countered that there was no such thing as the Great Spirit, it was only made up. All of these opinions left Herodotus with much to think about. Finally, he realised what Venerable was trying to tell him- there's no use fretting over what you cannot prove for sure. The sun will rise and the sun will set, and that you can be sure of, no matter if you believe in a Great Spirit or not.

The illustrations are beautiful, done in coloured pencil. I loved that this presentation of belief and faith used Great Spirit, and not 'God’. It was a charming way to present differing views from belief in many deities, to belief in one, to none, without presenting any view as better than the other. I feel this was a great way to introduce young readers to thoughts of spirituality, and prompt them to think about what works best for them. Offering different viewpoints, and allowing the child to reach their own opinion, is very important to my partner and I. My cubs enjoyed reading this book, and yes, it prompted many curious questions :)

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Wm. B Eerdmans Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Herodotus the Hedgehog is charming tale for children that offers insight into the ideas of spirituality and religion. In a culture where children are often presented with varied religions and beliefs, it is important for them to learn tolerance, if not acceptance, of others' spiritual differences. This book is an attempt to do that.

Herodotus encounters various woodland creatures who explain to him about their "spirit gods," and what they do to please them. Each one offers a new idea for the hedgehog and presents him with something to ponder. My concerns with the book lie at the ending which was abrupt and somewhat muddled. I'm also concerned that story was presented in a simple fashion as though it was for young-ish children, but the concepts would have been better understood by middle school aged kids. There was a disconnect between the two somehow. Also, I would love to rate the book higher than 3 stars but, unfortunately, my ARC did not contain any illustrations and, for me and for children, the illustrations in a children book are half the story. I would like to see more thought put into this book and then re-released. It is a needed subject but this story needs more work.

It may be hard to believe but this book is a look at religion, without ever mentioning a religion. Herodotus is wondering if he has a big spirit in the sky. All the other animals do? He has to go find out for himself. It’s and interesting story, but also one I find a bit boring.

Held off as long as possible to leave this - review file impossible to read, due to bug with Adobe that netgalley allege doesn't exist and blame entirely on me.

Great spirits of the bear, fox, etc? A curious. young hedgehog encounters a bear making an offering to his Great Spirit. Other animals in the forest also tell him about their Great Spirits. But venerable Old Hedgehog has another idea. Confusing ending. Something got lost in the translation of this book. We'll pass on this one.

The bear brings fruit and honey for the Great Bear Spirit. Herodotus happens to be nearby and he likes fruit and honey. Still, he doesn't eat the fruit and honey because all he cares about, all of a sudden, is to find out if there is a Big Spirit Hedgehog.
I cannot but agree with the wolf: the sheep are charming.
It's a fun little book.
Why is he even called Herodotus? Is he collecting a bunch of lies?

Herodotus likes to go on nature walks, observing his fellow wildlife. He comes across a bear worshipping; for a moment I thought he would eat the offering, but luckily he moved on. . . or unluckily, as he comes across a fox and makes the cute ball thing hedgehogs do for protection. Even cuter is his dancing.
But his encounter with the bear and his talk with the fox, coupled with a visit to the local old wise hedgehog, leads him on a spiritual quest to hear all the animist—literally!—religions. Of course everyone thinks their god is better, until he meets a monotheistic animal, and then another shows up to argue, and. . . you can imagine. But in the end it takes a 180-degree twist from what I was expecting, so I liked it.
Drawings are rudimentary; some look like they’re done with chalk, but they come off as kinda cute.

“Herodotus the Hedgehog” started off promising but took an odd.turn, and then the ending was abrupt. It would be good for fans of woodland creatures.

Herodotus the hedgehog likes exploring and observing the world. He questions the things he sees. In his observations, he discovers that all the animals in the forest have a "great spirit" that they look to as a guide. He questions what this means for his own life.

The illustrations were good. I feel like the book would best be read by the elementary age children grade K-6.

I own hedgehogs, I love hedgehogs, I'm obsessed with hedgehogs. I was really excited about this book but I have mixed opinions. First off, the story was a little heavy for so little text. I also didn't have pictures which I think made it more difficult to follow. Herodotus (a big name for a picture book) was actually a little difficult to gather the ending without the pictures. With those, I think it would help. His journey of discovery, talking with several animals, and playing into the overall architypes, it's a little deep but relatable.
for children there. Without pictures, I don't think I can give the book 5 stars.

Simple, fast, yet a deep read.
It is not only great for kids, but also for grown-ups.
This is book makes you resonate about your own beliefs.
Also, I really love the illustrations! It's gorgeous :)

The little Herodotus is a wise hedgehog, trying to find by himself what this big thing called life is all about. He has an eye for observing the world while at the same time he is trying hard to find his own answers to big life wonders. The pastel like illustrations are an invitation to dream and wandering through the major life questions. A good read for children from 5 years up.

A simple tale about finding your own religious beliefs.

HERODOTUS THE HEDGEHOG is the story of a curious little hedgehog who sees a bear in the woods leaving an offering to "the Great Spirit" and goes in search of an older hedgehog to ask if hedgehogs have a Great Spirit of their own. After the older hedgehog answers him, he is even more curious and so he asks all the other animals he encounters about their Great Spirit. Some are adamant that only their Great Spirit is real, while others acknowledge they believe in their Great Spirit, but it might not be the only Great Spirit. Then Herodotus goes back to the elder hedgehog to discuss what he has learned.

The illustrations in the book are eye catching and would keep it interesting for a small child. It is a great way to open up conversations about not only religion, but differences in religions within a local community. Just an example, but while it's set in a forest, it's a pretty easy comparison to that forest and an apartment building in NYC that is home to a variety of cultures.

Good:
The font is easy to read and follow along. The illustrations in this story are fun and quiet it's not screaming with color and not quite pastel.

I believe the grade level for this is first / second grade. The story is interesting but it feels like older kids or even adults may be more interested in this conversation that goes on in it.

But for the grade this is -- it would be easy enough to follow along with the story and create their interpretation on what is being said.

Bad:

I could see where the story line could be problematic for the religious folks. It doesn't advocate for a non-religious life. But for those who are very restricted with their thinking and can't -- won't feel comfortable with this.. is probably not great for them.
.

Interesting and original concept, but a bit deep for most kiddos. My edition had no illustrations, so it's hard to form a complete opinion, being that it is a "picture book".