An arc was provided generously in exchange of an honest review via Netgalley.*

The illustrations are good, but the text really needs some editorial work. The whole story is told from the first person POV from a porcupette. I don't think that the first person narrator was at all needed. Not many can associate with an animal and the third person narrator would have been better in avoiding a "maid and butler" (I am porcupette and porcupette is a baby porcupine) moments at the beginning of the book. The book tries to send a good message if a little bit too hard. With some text editing it would have been a really good adoptive child story.

Firstly, the illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful. The story, however, we found to be to wordy and choppy for a young child. It is more suited to a school age child who can pay attention for a bit longer than my toddler. He was very interested in the porcupine facts at the beginning and struggled to say porcupine spurring us to look up more information about porcupines.

A sweet story about finding your place despite your differences, learning to trust and loving and being loved.

Wonderful story and sweet illustrations. Highly Recommend!

Told in simplistic language to include young children, this important story tells the tale of a porcupette abandoned by his mom (presumably dead). He seeks out a mama bear and her cubs and is accepted into their family. Fear of rejection and loss of family, he begins to act out as a means of self preservation. Ultimately, he learns that family may not be those you are related to by blood but family can be those that care and are there for you... Sometimes there for you in spite of your worst behavior.

The illustrations are quite lovely. This book would be wonderful to have in foster homes and in adoptive family homes.

This is a story of adoption. It has heart and meaning. But I find it a little long. I love the illustrations. Another part of me, sees a negative side, because the word “adopt” is never used in any form, it could also be seen as an abduction story. But luckily, not to most. I choose to look at the good side of this story.

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This story is so heartwarmingly lovely! I've read a few of Vanita's books and they always provide great messages. This one is no exception, and there are a couple of stories you can take from this. Firstly, that loss can happen to young children. Secondly, that fear can make children do things they don't really mean. Thirdly, that they CAN be loved. I imagine this would be a good book for children that find themselves adopted or fostered, or having lost a parent. It sends such a lovely message that they can and will be loved, and they can be happy. I can't fault this book!

Although I couldn't download this book, I did find a hard copy of it and read it. Sweetest story I've read in a long, long while. Actually brought tears to my eyes as the little porcupette adjusted to his new family. Sweet story for any blended family to read together.

This story was brilliant. It covers some issues that are very important for anyone who is considering adoption, has adopted, or has been adopted or is up for adoption. Things I honestly wasn't expecting to be covered. Like how sometimes when we're scared we act in ways we wouldn't normally, or that sometimes patience and love is all you need in endless supply to help someone through a rough time.

Vanita continues to impress, inspire, and brighten up my days. I just adore her books.

Premise: Porcupette's mother loves and takes care of him, until one day, when she doesn't come home from her daily search for food. Frantically, the little one searches everywhere for his mother, until he becomes too hungry and tired to search anymore. He takes shelter with a bear family in their cave. The mother bear feeds him, and as the cubs grow older, they play with him as though he were one of them. But Porcupette is still sad, and he begins to wonder if the bear family could really love him as one of their own. He hurts them with his quills and runs away, back to his former home. Mother bear finds him and brings him back to their cave, and Porcupette realizes that the bear family loves him after all.

This isn't exactly a feel-good book. Even though Porcupette finds an adoptive family, he's sad and misses his biological mother constantly. He loves his new family, but if he drove away his mother, why would they love and stay with him? He lashes out because he doesn't understand these emotions; he doesn't know how to handle his emotional pain. Keeping all of this in mind, Porcupette's situation is reality for many foster children. Forced from their original homes for whatever reason, many children have a hard time accepting that someone else might love them, so they try to protect themselves from love itself. My son and I had some great discussion as a result of Porcupette's actions. So, while this isn't my favorite children's book, I do think it's a really great book for helping kids to understand an adoptive situation.

Surprisingly emotional book. When Porcupette is separated from her Mother I was distressed. I was emotionally invested on the journey right from the beginning and was happy to see such a lovely ending.

This is a wonderful book for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Absolutely loved this and so did my kids! It's incredibly adorable and will tug at your heartstrings. Definitely pick this one up for you kiddos!