In this early reader chapter book, Darling Hedgehog goes on an adventure to look for her parents who dropped out-of-sight.

Darling introduces herself to Miss Fox. And here, a simile is used. Miss Fox gives her gifts, and Darling becomes distracted from her mission of tracking her parents' footprints. The two animals look for things to do together in fantastical attempts to be friendly. When Darling enters Miss Fox's kitchen, she realizes that by nature, all strangers are not good for you. Will Darling save the day when it's already dinner time?

Darling Hedgehog learns about the animal nature of things in high humor and carefree, cute, and winning episodes. This childhood story reads a bit like Aesop's Fables or a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, for children 4-8 or preschool and kindergarten, as a read-to-me picture book, and second and third grade as a chapter book. First graders may need some guidance.

Pictures similar to Charlotte's Web and the Mercy Watson series are characterized and painted in full-color, though the pages are set up like a chapter book.

This book helps to train children to use natural instinct and wisdom. For analysis of the animal kingdom, knowing the facts and using discernment are keys. Darling helps to balance the teachings of acceptance of everyone and friendliness to all. There may be good purposes for everyone to exist under heaven, yet all purposes may not be good for a child. Beware! And flee from crafty foxes especially when they are holding your parents in the pantry.

What is true about foxes and hedgehogs, as shown in this story, is that foxes cannot eat hedgehogs because of the quills on a hedgehog's back, so there are some natural defenses to even out the playing field.