Hogbert
by Briony May Smith; illus. by the author
Preschool, Primary    Candlewick    32 pp.
9/25    9781536245035    $18.99

Smith (A Practical Present for Philippa Pheasant, rev. 7/23) introduces another unlikely animal hero in piglet Hogbert, who gets lost while following a tasty trail of cherries, berries, and acorns on his first exploration of the forest. Alone and afraid, he worries that the rustling he hears is “the Big Bad Wolf, come to gobble me up.” Smith gives similar nods to fairy tales with the friends Hogbert makes along his journey home: squirrel Red, en route to her granny’s tree; snow-white fawn Doe, who fell asleep in a shrub after eating a bad apple; and bunny siblings Hopsel and Nettle, who created Hogbert’s trail. Before each new companion joins Hogbert, worry about the wolf resurfaces. When they finally do hear a howl, Smith keeps things lighthearted by reassuringly showing readers that above the cave they’re hiding in sits a not-so-scary wolf pup in search of its own parent (which it finds). Playful language choices (“they snuffled and searched for truffles and treats”; “Oh, fiddlesticks”) and adorable-looking animals also help soften the mood. Smith’s descriptive text and detailed illustrations immerse readers in the dense, expansive forest, which makes for a picturesque natural setting. Varied compositions throughout heighten the drama in this inventive adventure until Hogbert’s nose expertly leads them to safety and reunion with their families…with quite a story to share.

From the November/December 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.