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Millie and the Midnight Hedgehog
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 19, 2025
I'm so sorry but...what? This book started off OK, but then it appeared to have fallen off of the tracks by the end. For one thing, it took way too long for the hedgehog to be introduced. It's in the dang title! I would have liked to see it be a bigger component of the overall story. Secondly, there was way too much writing. There was so much writing that it detracted from the illustrations, which were pretty good. Additionally, the abundance of writing and "fluff" made the story very lengthy and I found myself becoming increasingly bored as I read. If that's true for me, I can make an educated guess that many little kids will be bored as well. Another thing is it seemed like there were so many little ideas combined into one story, and it got quite overwhelming. Fairy tales, climate change, fears, and talking animals all in one short kids' book is just too much, and all of these ideas seemed half-baked and thrown together in a rush. The focus definitely could be narrowed quite a bit. My second-to-last critique is the ending. Abrupt much? 'Nuff said. Lastly, this is one of those climate change books that is depressing. It's a kids' book! If you want to make it about climate change don't make it such a downer - it's nice to have some hope in there...or a lot of hope.
April 9, 2025
Millie and the Hedgehog by Bernadette Watts
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Millie and the Hedgehog is a beautifully gentle and thoughtful picture book that touches the heart in quiet ways. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous—soft, whimsical, and soothing to the eyes. Every page feels like stepping into a dreamy fairytale world.
The story follows Millie, a young girl whose parents are environmental activists. While their work is important, it leaves Millie feeling quite lonely during the summer. She turns to fairy tales for comfort—some well-known stories are subtly referenced, which makes this book a nice segue into those classics if you’re reading with kids.
What I really appreciated was how the book handles big themes like environmentalism, friendship, loneliness, and the idea of "doing your part" in the world. Millie's growing bond with her kind neighbor, Mrs. Periwinkle, is especially touching. Mrs. Periwinkle always sees and affirms Millie, gifting her not just garden fruits but the feeling of being noticed.
The magical moment comes when Millie meets a hedgehog who gently reminds her (and us!) that while we can’t fix everything, even small acts—like planting a few pots—matter. It’s such a lovely message for little readers: even children can make a difference.
Highly recommend for families looking for a quiet, meaningful story with dreamy art and a hopeful message.
Thank you to NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Millie and the Hedgehog is a beautifully gentle and thoughtful picture book that touches the heart in quiet ways. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous—soft, whimsical, and soothing to the eyes. Every page feels like stepping into a dreamy fairytale world.
The story follows Millie, a young girl whose parents are environmental activists. While their work is important, it leaves Millie feeling quite lonely during the summer. She turns to fairy tales for comfort—some well-known stories are subtly referenced, which makes this book a nice segue into those classics if you’re reading with kids.
What I really appreciated was how the book handles big themes like environmentalism, friendship, loneliness, and the idea of "doing your part" in the world. Millie's growing bond with her kind neighbor, Mrs. Periwinkle, is especially touching. Mrs. Periwinkle always sees and affirms Millie, gifting her not just garden fruits but the feeling of being noticed.
The magical moment comes when Millie meets a hedgehog who gently reminds her (and us!) that while we can’t fix everything, even small acts—like planting a few pots—matter. It’s such a lovely message for little readers: even children can make a difference.
Highly recommend for families looking for a quiet, meaningful story with dreamy art and a hopeful message.
Thank you to NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2025
This is very wordy for a picture book. It feels more like an in-between picture and chapter book. The art is beautiful and the story is cute.
4 stars
4 stars
January 15, 2026
Bernadette Watts' illustrations were the best thing about this book that deals with a child's fears about scary things in the world, including climate change and what it's doing to our planet. For me, a weak aspect of this book is that Millie has very little agency in this story. She never really takes any action on her own, instead, she seems to mope around feeling frightened all of the time. Neglected by her activist parents (who seemed stressed out by their activism), Millie has lots of fears and is often lonely.
Her one friend is a neighbor, Mrs. Periwinkle who has a lovely garden. At one point, Millie wishes her parents would create a garden. Millie appears old enough that she could start a garden of her own, but instead she seems she would rather spend her time worrying. She even wonders why her parents are so eager to save the planet. "Would they save the Planet from dreadful things like wolves and thunderstorms?" she wonders. Since I don't consider wolves to be at all dreadful, I had to roll my eyes at this sentence. Yes, I can see how a small child might find wolves scary, but I kept hoping the author would somehow show Millie that wolves play important roles in many ecosystems.
It's not until Mrs. Periwinkle gives Millie some potted plants of her own to look after, that Millie seems to take any interest in trying to save something herself. One night, when a wind storm makes Millie worry that her plants might be blown over, she ventures outside where she meets the Hedgehog of the title. This happens very late in the story and it's the hedgehog who provides her with some comforting words to ease her frights. I would much rather have seen Millie learn to be brave on her own and figure out how to create her own garden, rather than be comforted by a talking animal.
As other readers have mentioned, this book felt like it was trying to cover too many topics, leaving the story and its lessons feeling scattered and unfocused.
Her one friend is a neighbor, Mrs. Periwinkle who has a lovely garden. At one point, Millie wishes her parents would create a garden. Millie appears old enough that she could start a garden of her own, but instead she seems she would rather spend her time worrying. She even wonders why her parents are so eager to save the planet. "Would they save the Planet from dreadful things like wolves and thunderstorms?" she wonders. Since I don't consider wolves to be at all dreadful, I had to roll my eyes at this sentence. Yes, I can see how a small child might find wolves scary, but I kept hoping the author would somehow show Millie that wolves play important roles in many ecosystems.
It's not until Mrs. Periwinkle gives Millie some potted plants of her own to look after, that Millie seems to take any interest in trying to save something herself. One night, when a wind storm makes Millie worry that her plants might be blown over, she ventures outside where she meets the Hedgehog of the title. This happens very late in the story and it's the hedgehog who provides her with some comforting words to ease her frights. I would much rather have seen Millie learn to be brave on her own and figure out how to create her own garden, rather than be comforted by a talking animal.
As other readers have mentioned, this book felt like it was trying to cover too many topics, leaving the story and its lessons feeling scattered and unfocused.
May 7, 2025
Millie and the Midnight Hedgehog is a truly delightful children's picture book about a young girl named Millie and her search to make meaning of the world around her. Young Millie loves her children's books. She is captivated by the heroics of knights and princes. She loves the values taught by the most noble characters in her fairy tales. When her father takes her to the park, she loves basking in the radiance and wonder of the natural world. However, she comes to fear the messages she comes upon on the news and the headlines of her father's newspapers. Her mother is on a mission to save the planet, except the constant worry and contention of the matter leaves her with headaches.
Eventually, Millie befriends a neighbor named Mrs. Periwinkle. Mrs. Periwinkle is kind and doting and provides words of encouragement. Mrs. Periwinkle first gives Millie a handful of red raspberries on a rhubarb leaf. Then, she gives Millie three small pots-- filled with beans, tomatoes, and a sunflower. Millie loves her new plants and steps into the role as their caretaker with great joy. Except, Millie begins to dwell upon the villains inside of her fairy tale books. Even when Millie wakes up in the middle of the night during a storm, Millie worries about going outside alone in the dark for fear there might be a danger lurking outside waiting for her. Millie is surprised when she finds a small hedgehog outside and quickly befriends the little hedgehog. together, Millie and the hedgehog explore Millie's deepest concerns and fears.
The greatest lesson explored within this book-- friendship is the best ingredient one can truly find.
Eventually, Millie befriends a neighbor named Mrs. Periwinkle. Mrs. Periwinkle is kind and doting and provides words of encouragement. Mrs. Periwinkle first gives Millie a handful of red raspberries on a rhubarb leaf. Then, she gives Millie three small pots-- filled with beans, tomatoes, and a sunflower. Millie loves her new plants and steps into the role as their caretaker with great joy. Except, Millie begins to dwell upon the villains inside of her fairy tale books. Even when Millie wakes up in the middle of the night during a storm, Millie worries about going outside alone in the dark for fear there might be a danger lurking outside waiting for her. Millie is surprised when she finds a small hedgehog outside and quickly befriends the little hedgehog. together, Millie and the hedgehog explore Millie's deepest concerns and fears.
The greatest lesson explored within this book-- friendship is the best ingredient one can truly find.
May 11, 2025
While this is a gorgeously illustrated [with dreamy, watercolor-y illustrations], and I absolutely loved the relationship that grows between Millie and her neighbor Mrs. Periwinkle [I really wish this had been fleshed out more as this was literally the only relationship has, and seeing how Mrs. Periwinkle mentors and loves the young girl would have made for an amazing read], overall, this was one of the most depressing children's books I have ever read [], and I was in tears by the end of this one for that poor lost, neglected, lonely child. The hedgehog in the title doesn't show up until the very end and really feels more like a footnote that anything significant to the story and I was pretty disappointed about that. The end is also very abrupt and that was a bit disconcerting.
Millie is a sad, lonely child who is all but ignored by her activist parents and in the end, I just wanted to hug her [as well as smacking her parents upside the head], and I was glad when it was over.
Because of all of this, I cannot in good faith recommend this book. :-(
Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books INC/NorthSouth Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Millie is a sad, lonely child who is all but ignored by her activist parents and in the end, I just wanted to hug her [as well as smacking her parents upside the head], and I was glad when it was over.
Because of all of this, I cannot in good faith recommend this book. :-(
Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books INC/NorthSouth Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2025
Bernadette Watts’ Millie and the Midnight Hedgehog aims to deliver an environmental message through a children’s picture book but it felt like a haphazard tale that isn't quite suited for young readers. For the most part, we follow Millie and her fear of climate change exacerbated by her parents' fixation on it.
The narrative is frustratingly scattered, lurching between Millie’s interactions with a neighbor, parents and lastly a hedgehog. It's pretty scattered and this lack of focus makes the story hard to follow, especially for children, and squanders its chance to convey a meaningful message.
The tone is depressingly heavy, fixating on the doom and gloom in a way that feels inappropriate for a children’s book that risks leaving young readers anxious or disheartened.
Watts’ illustrations are the sole bright spot, with the characters' cute, whimsical design and soft, inviting colors showcasing her signature charm. Yet, these cheerful visuals clash with the story’s somber narrative, creating a tonal disconnect that undermines the book’s impact. The illustrations promise warmth, but the story delivers gloom. One star.
I was invited to read a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my honest opinions.
The narrative is frustratingly scattered, lurching between Millie’s interactions with a neighbor, parents and lastly a hedgehog. It's pretty scattered and this lack of focus makes the story hard to follow, especially for children, and squanders its chance to convey a meaningful message.
The tone is depressingly heavy, fixating on the doom and gloom in a way that feels inappropriate for a children’s book that risks leaving young readers anxious or disheartened.
Watts’ illustrations are the sole bright spot, with the characters' cute, whimsical design and soft, inviting colors showcasing her signature charm. Yet, these cheerful visuals clash with the story’s somber narrative, creating a tonal disconnect that undermines the book’s impact. The illustrations promise warmth, but the story delivers gloom. One star.
I was invited to read a DRC from NorthSouth Books through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my honest opinions.
May 31, 2025
Hmmm… This gorgeous book has a story that goes too many places, and I'm not sure how it all hangs together. It's about a girl envious of the old lady next door's garden, although (a) she does get given some of the fruits from it, and (b) her parents are actually quite the pair of eco-warriors. She finds good in nature, and bad in thunderstorms, nasties from fairy tales and spiders. So when she hears something ominous on a dark and stormy night, she has to go outside and see what's what…
What's what is the other title character turning up rather too late in the proceedings, offering some mild assurance and leaving. I like there's a mystical side to where she leaves to, but the advice isn't the firmest and that way it's only in keeping with the rest of the story. Millie loves the environment, but is too small and young to do much for it, her parents love the environment but don't do enough, to some eyes, and the whole is quite the patchy affair. I think it could be about the small baby steps needed to be green, or a lesson in how nature can look after itself, but it certainly doesn't feel direct enough in any one message to fully appeal to the young audience. The craft in the visuals cannot be denied, so perhaps it does deserve three stars, but it wasn't for me.
What's what is the other title character turning up rather too late in the proceedings, offering some mild assurance and leaving. I like there's a mystical side to where she leaves to, but the advice isn't the firmest and that way it's only in keeping with the rest of the story. Millie loves the environment, but is too small and young to do much for it, her parents love the environment but don't do enough, to some eyes, and the whole is quite the patchy affair. I think it could be about the small baby steps needed to be green, or a lesson in how nature can look after itself, but it certainly doesn't feel direct enough in any one message to fully appeal to the young audience. The craft in the visuals cannot be denied, so perhaps it does deserve three stars, but it wasn't for me.
May 15, 2025
"Fairy tales teach us to know good from bad."
Gracie reads fairy tales in bed and sometimes is frightened. Mom and dad work very hard to save the planet but sometimes they undervalue Gracie's concerns. Fortunately, there is a neighbor to help her as well as a very kindly hedgehog.
I feel that the age suggestion is only valid if read together, because of the somewhat high word count and expectations.
The illustrations by the author are simple, imaginative and add much to the story in simple figures and bright colors.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital Galley on Thorium PDF from NorthSouth Books via NetGalley. Pub Date Oct 21, 2025 #NetGalley
#MillieandtheMidnightHedgehog by Bernadette Watts @northsouthbooks @childrensbookcouncil @goodreads #kidsbook #picturebookart #kidlit #picturebook #illustration #childrensbooks #imagination #littlefreelibrary #savetheplanet #childhoodfears #readwithme #littlefreelibrary
Gracie reads fairy tales in bed and sometimes is frightened. Mom and dad work very hard to save the planet but sometimes they undervalue Gracie's concerns. Fortunately, there is a neighbor to help her as well as a very kindly hedgehog.
I feel that the age suggestion is only valid if read together, because of the somewhat high word count and expectations.
The illustrations by the author are simple, imaginative and add much to the story in simple figures and bright colors.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital Galley on Thorium PDF from NorthSouth Books via NetGalley. Pub Date Oct 21, 2025 #NetGalley
#MillieandtheMidnightHedgehog by Bernadette Watts @northsouthbooks @childrensbookcouncil @goodreads #kidsbook #picturebookart #kidlit #picturebook #illustration #childrensbooks #imagination #littlefreelibrary #savetheplanet #childhoodfears #readwithme #littlefreelibrary
September 11, 2025
In this gentle, twilight tale, Millie discovers a hedgehog wandering through the garden one moonlit night. Concerned for her prickly new friend, she sets out to learn more about hedgehogs and how to help them. With warmth and patience, Millie creates a safe place where the creature can thrive.
Watts, well-known for her classic picture books and folk tale retellings, brings her characteristic sensitivity and luminous illustrations to this story of kindness and stewardship. The artwork glows with dusky blues and earthy tones, perfectly capturing the stillness of nighttime and the wonder of a small child’s care for nature.
Young readers will connect with Millie’s empathy and curiosity, while adults will appreciate the subtle environmental message woven into the narrative. A perfect choice for bedtime reading, classrooms exploring nature themes, or one-on-one sharing.
Verdict: A quiet yet impactful picture book that celebrates compassion and respect for wildlife. Recommended for preschool and early elementary collections.
Watts, well-known for her classic picture books and folk tale retellings, brings her characteristic sensitivity and luminous illustrations to this story of kindness and stewardship. The artwork glows with dusky blues and earthy tones, perfectly capturing the stillness of nighttime and the wonder of a small child’s care for nature.
Young readers will connect with Millie’s empathy and curiosity, while adults will appreciate the subtle environmental message woven into the narrative. A perfect choice for bedtime reading, classrooms exploring nature themes, or one-on-one sharing.
Verdict: A quiet yet impactful picture book that celebrates compassion and respect for wildlife. Recommended for preschool and early elementary collections.
September 23, 2025
This book has lovely pastel illustrations that give a not quite modern feel. Millie likes to grow things and loves her neighbors garden. The neighbor gives her three plants for her own patio. Her parents seemingly neglect her while trying to save the environment. But what can she do as just one person? She meets a hedgehog who helps her see that caring for plants is helping the environment too. The message is very subtle and children need more direction in messaging. It was also very wordy, which makes it more difficult to be shared in the limited time I have in my library for story time. And I am not sure that it would keep my readers attention. This is one of those times where I like the idea of the book more than the book itself. But others may view it differently. Thank you to NorthSouth Books Inc and NetGalley for the temporary digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.
April 9, 2025
Millie and the Midnight Hedgehog has an unassuming cover, but the story packs a punch. Appropriate for 1st-3rd graders, the book explores themes such as global warming, growing food and gardening, and adult vs. child struggles. Little Millie sees her busy and distracted parents worrying about work, climate change, and difficult things in the news. As she reads fairy tales, she hopes for a happy ending in her own world. She meets a hedgehog friend, who reminds her that she has her own special place in the world, and he quells some of her fears. This book is heavy, but also hopeful. It could be useful to generate some abstract conversations in early elementary classrooms.
Thank you to NorthSouth books and NetGalley for a complimentary advance reader's copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you to NorthSouth books and NetGalley for a complimentary advance reader's copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
May 22, 2025
This picture book has beautiful dreamy pastel illustrations, but the story lacked focus and tried to make too many points. Millie's parents are activists who are trying to save the world. However they spend so much time caring for the environment that they neglect Millie, leaving her lonely and anxious. Her busy parents don't have time for her and she spends her time reading fairy tales and visiting with a friendly elderly neighbor has a garden and gives her three potted plants for her own patio garden. I wish that the hedgehog was all day long instead of midnight. Late at night she meets a wise hedgehog who tells her that Fairytales help us tell good from bad. He tells her that by tending a garden, she is helping the environment too. All these points are great, but I think that children reading this book would end up as anxious as Millie.
May 21, 2025
Even though I’m not the target audience for this book I was happy to be approved for it on NetGalley as I love hedgehogs so much. The illustrations are so beautiful! But as this is a children’s book the message within its pages is a lot: climate change, the ending of the Earth, activist parents who neglect their child, Millie is a lonely child. That’s a lot of sad stuff in a kids book! One positive message is that every little bit we do )like growing tomatoes and beans in a pot) can help our world. I wish the hedgehog had a bigger presence in the story. This was beautifully illustrated though the story was a bit tough.
**Thanks to the author and NorthSouth Books for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**
**Thanks to the author and NorthSouth Books for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**
July 24, 2025
This story explores environmental issues in a soft way. Millie's parents are busy caring for the environment so you get a sense that she feels sad and alone. Millie develops a sweet friendship with Mrs Periwinkle, her kind neighbour, learning to garden and grow food. She meets a hedgehog who teaches her that while we can't fix everything, even the small things we do can make a difference in the world.
I felt the book was a little wordy for a picture book and the storylines didn't connect quite as well as I would have liked. However, I adored the illustrations in this story - the soft, gentle watercolours have a lovely appeal to them. 🩷🤍🩵🩶.
A lovely story touching on important themes such as caring for the environment and the importance of friendship to share with children. Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I felt the book was a little wordy for a picture book and the storylines didn't connect quite as well as I would have liked. However, I adored the illustrations in this story - the soft, gentle watercolours have a lovely appeal to them. 🩷🤍🩵🩶.
A lovely story touching on important themes such as caring for the environment and the importance of friendship to share with children. Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 14, 2026
Millie's parents are trying to save the planet. Sometimes they are so busy they forget to spend time with Millie. She spends time reading fairy tales, drawing pictures, and spending time in the lady next door's garden. One day the lady gives her three plants and tells her to take care of them. Millie tries her best.
This story has so many levels. There is the issue of Global Warming, saving the planet, parents making time to spend with their child, Millie learning that everything has a place, (including the spiders who will clean their place and the thunderstorms cleaning their place).
I have shared the book with teacher friends to share with their students. This is a five star read.
I was given the opportunity to read this by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review!
This story has so many levels. There is the issue of Global Warming, saving the planet, parents making time to spend with their child, Millie learning that everything has a place, (including the spiders who will clean their place and the thunderstorms cleaning their place).
I have shared the book with teacher friends to share with their students. This is a five star read.
I was given the opportunity to read this by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review!
August 6, 2025
This reads as if it is taking place now, but the illustrations make it feel historical. Almost like it came out of Avonlea and the Prince Edward Islands. This is a story about a little girl who wants to grow things. Her neighbor grows things, and she really wants to be in touch with nature like that. Her parents are always trying to save the world and the environment or other things and she’s just a single person with a tomato in a pot. This book was too long and meandering. It seemed like it lost the point of the story it was trying to tell. The illustrations are nice but also do not seem to fit the story.
August 20, 2025
Thank you to the author, NorthSouth Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This children's book is well-meant, but to my mind it misses the mark. It's very wordy, and much of the story is a bit of a jumble - Millie, the little girl, longs to grow things and loves the neighbor's garden. Millie's parents seem to neglect their daughter, in favor of trying to save the world, the environment and other things - and instill guilt in their daughter because she feels she's not doing enough. Then there's the titular hedgehog, who makes a too brief appearance. There are too many threads, and no cohesion, and the kids I read this with were not taken with it.
This children's book is well-meant, but to my mind it misses the mark. It's very wordy, and much of the story is a bit of a jumble - Millie, the little girl, longs to grow things and loves the neighbor's garden. Millie's parents seem to neglect their daughter, in favor of trying to save the world, the environment and other things - and instill guilt in their daughter because she feels she's not doing enough. Then there's the titular hedgehog, who makes a too brief appearance. There are too many threads, and no cohesion, and the kids I read this with were not taken with it.
April 15, 2025
NetGalley ARC Review: I love the concept and the art style was very fairytale-esq. I think where it falls flat to me is the relationship building between the characters. I was not left feeling happy or that my small impact matters - I was actually left a bit confused. I really wish there were more interaction between the little girl and the other characters. Also, do mom and dad ever grow to appreciate the impact their little girl is having on the environment? Overall, great concept and artwork - I just wish the narrative was a little more flushed out.
April 9, 2025
Bernadette Watts’ illustrations for her picture book prove so breathtaking and old-timey that it’s easy to miss the up-to-the-minute words that warn that the effects of climate change are here right now and how we, no matter how little, can help the planet. Adored this book!
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books in exchange for an honest review.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2025
Netgalley ARC - I think I get what this was trying to do, but it didn't work for me. I can't imagine the writing style engaging children. The neighbor gardener could've been a much more fleshed out character to emphasize building relationships with members of our community, and the parents vague job titles and concerns just rub me the wrong way. I think kids are capable of understanding details, and Vague Concepts in Capital Letters is not a replacement for a description.
April 25, 2025
This story was really sweet. About a girl wanting to garden
and a old lady that gives her a start with 3 plants. Fairytales
and a talking Hedgehog. I enjoyed the story and art.
and a old lady that gives her a start with 3 plants. Fairytales
and a talking Hedgehog. I enjoyed the story and art.
May 12, 2025
A heartwarming story of a child concerned with doing the right thing for our planet. A beautiful friendship developed between a child and an older person that led to increased care of the world.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews