The Hedgehog's Dilemma

By Toon Tellegen

Book Overview

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER: The first in a series of witty, philosophical animal stories with whimsical illustrations -- for adult fans of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and His Horse

We've all been there: When a lonely hedgehog hosts a party for his friends, he's suddenly wracked by social anxiety and self-doubt...

The hedgehog is feeling rather lonely, so one day he decides to invite all the other animals for a party. But the hedgehog is also rather a shy, reserved animal, and is terribly worried about doing or saying something he shouldn't, and about all the things that could go wrong.

What if nobody comes? What if too many of them come? What if the elephant shows up and breaks all the furniture? Will anyone be able to hear the hedgehog talk above the frog's croaking? Maybe inviting the others over wasn't such a good idea after all...

An international bestseller, with more than 1 million copies sold in the Netherlands, The Hedgehog's Dilemma is the perfect gift for the shy, retiring 'hedgehog' in your life. This lovely--and loving book--addresses deep emotional and philosophical themes with humor, kindness, and intelligence.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 180533171X
• ISBN13: 9781805331711
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Pushkin Press
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 7.1"

Customer Reviews

We’ll definitely be reading more from Toon Tellegen!

We read 1–2 chapters of The Hedgehog’s Dilemma every night at bedtime with our 6-year-old. By the time we finished, she was genuinely sad it was over and immediately wanted to start it again. The chapters are short, thoughtful, and perfect for bedtime reading. The stories feel gentle and whimsical, with animals navigating friendship, feelings, and life’s little curiosities in ways that both kids and adults can appreciate. If you’re looking for a calm, meaningful read-aloud book to share with your child at night, this one is truly special. What began as a random library find turned into one of the most memorable books we’ve read together. Watching my daughter discover an author she truly loves has been absolutely magical.