School Library Journal Review
PreS-Friends Horace and Hattie, prickly in physical appearance only, are back again in a seasonal adventure. When trying to put falling leaves back on trees, the duo encounter a critter (looking very much like a bat, but purple) who plays hide-and-seek with them across a landscape filled with pumpkins, acorns, and the colors of fall.-Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this companion to Hedgehugs and Hedgehugs and the Hattiepillar, hedgehog friends Horace and Hattie are a bit despondent as fall gets underway: the falling leaves are "pretty, but Hattie felt sad that the branches would soon be empty." Sad thoughts are banished when the two run into a "squeaky thing" hanging from a tree; it's a purple bat, and the three dive into a game of hide-and-seek that lasts for several pages (and is just challenging enough for younger readers to take part in). Collaged bits of photographic images add warmth to the autumn setting-fabrics with plaid, herringbone, and other patterns bring a cozy texture to leaves, pumpkins, and mushroom caps. It's a straightforward story but also a helpful reminder that friends new and old can help make unwanted changes easier to bear. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
On a windy autumn day, best-friend hedgehogs Horace and Hattie befriend a "squeaky thing" (a tiny purple bat) and play hide-and-seek until the last leaf falls from the trees. This story about friendship and enjoying the pleasures of the season is a simple but powerful one. Readers will delight in searching for the characters hidden in the warm, fall-toned collage illustrations. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Horace and Hattie find a new friend to play with as they hide and seek among the harbingers of fall. The first three spreads follow the pattern of the other books in the Hedgehugs series, establishing a few things the best friends like to do together and what they each do when the other is busy. In this title, Hattie is sad at the prospect of bare trees. Horace attempts to cheer her by grabbing a handful of fallen leaves and trying to stick them back on. In the process, he is startled by the squeak of a little bat hanging in the tree. Hattie and Horace go tumbling into a pile of leaves, and the bat takes this as the start of a game of hide-and-seek. The three play happily, taking turns hiding and seeking, and readers will enjoy spying the friends in the pictures. The last leaf falling from the tree signals that it's time for the bat to go home, and Hattie is sad again. A whispered conference, though, allows Horace and the bat to give Hattie a wonderful surprise. Pink, yellow, brown, orange, gray, and maroon dominate Tapper's fall palette, some blackberry bushes providing cover for the purple bat's hiding spot. A sweet tale of friendship, both new and old. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.