Herbert the Hedgehog Paints the House ¦ Herbert the Hedgehog Goes to the Fair ¦ Herbert the Hedgehog Goes on Holiday

On first sight, these might look garish, but there's action, pace and some engaging writing in these three books about a winsome hedgehog. The fun lies in the fact that the creature's always discovering things and having new experiences. Readers around five to seven will know all about that. I wish that the talented storytellers had found an artist who left more to the readers' imaginations, but there's some visual fun when, on a visit to the fair, Herb gets covered in candy floss, and when he decorates the house when his parents are out.

Herbert the Hedgehog Goes on Holiday is the sparkiest: he misinterprets a Punch and Judy show for real life and joins in and I like the witty observations...'And look at all those young humans building castles ...' Have a look at these, they may fit in to classroom collections.