Miss Jaster's Garden

By N.M. Bodecker

Book Overview

Hedgie the hedgehog lives in a little corner of Miss Jaster's garden. One morning nearsighted Miss Jaster mistakenly plants some seeds on Hedgie, who is asleep in the flowerbed. Before Hedgie knows it, flowers have sprouted among the quills on his back It's the happiest day of Hedgie's life, his feet begin doing little dance steps and before you know it Hedgie dances out beyond the gate. When Miss Jaster thinks she sees her flowers walking by themselves, she calls the constable. Will Hedgie ever be able to return to the garden he loves?

Originally published in 1972, Miss Jaster's Garden is a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book.

"It was with great joy that I found this picture book by Mr. Bodecker, newly republished this year. The storyline is purely light and charming. A little hedgehog accidentally ends up sprouting flowers and all sorts of miscommunications arise as a result."

-Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DR3CKM6N
• ISBN13: 9798888181065
• Release Date: February 2025
• Publisher: Purple House Press
• Length: 30 Pages
• Weight: 0.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 3 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 4

Customer Reviews

Miss Jaster's Garden

This is a book I remembered fondly from childhood. I always thought about the beautiful artwork, the lovely story and the lesson that accompanied it when read to me by my mother. I loved to look at the map of the area where Miss Jaster lived and pretend I was there. It is a beautifully written, exquisitely illustrated story of an unlikely friendship. It was so lovely, it stayed with me until I decided to buy it again in my 30's!

Yippee!

I am thrilled to find that this book is again available. It was one of my very favorites when I was a child, and I have tried to find it for other little girls, but until now, it was out of print. I think I will order several copies to keep on hand for gifts. The illustrations are wonderful. The look on Hedgie's face as he dances makes me laugh out loud just to think of it, and the story is so sweet.

This is a wonderful book

This was one of my favorite books as a child too. I am happy to see that others love it so much as well. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful. I am very upset because I have managed to lose my copy that I had as a child, and I want so badly to be able to read it to my son.

Charming and Funny

This was one of my favorite books as a child (about 25 years ago) and I still love it. I love the way Hedgie is so gentle with Miss Jaster and himself. And how the flowers blooming on his back are like a release of joy he didn't realize he had. I like the humor too, especially as Hedgie imagines what might grow on him. I also love the illustrations. And it even has a map in the book cover!

I loved this book 20 years ago and still do.

I found this book for a dollar 20 years ago and bought it because I liked the illustrations. It ended up being one of my stepdaughter's favorite books and I loved reading it to her. I read it again this year and it's just as charming. I hope the publisher reads this and prints this book again for another generation.