Boar and Hedgehog

Elliott (In the Desert) kicks off this engaging picture book by explaining how Boar’s neighbors think he became so crabby: “Some said it was because hooligans had been unkind to him when he was a piglet. Some said it was because he wore his trousers too tight.” Despite the animal’s constitutional crankiness, though, the other creatures look out for him—“He was, after all, a neighbor.” It doesn’t go well when Hedgehog proposes that Boar’s cold, dark cave might be contributing to his mood: “What about minding your own beeswax?” Boar snaps. Yet after a chilly night, Boar admits that Hedgehog might have a point. Hedgehog, now Boar’s neighbor, continues to make kindly suggestions, responding to Boar’s grumpy replies with composure. (“Whatevs,” comes one reply. “It’s a lovely day.”) And when Hedgehog has an accident and asks for help, Boar finds himself thinking about community in a new way—far from putting others off, mutuality might draw individuals closer. Working in digitally finished multimedia spreads that combine varying textures, Yelchin (The Genius Under the Table) gives Boar glistening brown eyes that peer out at viewers as he moves, like the Grinch before him, toward leaving grumpiness behind. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Steve Malk, Writers House. (June)