Norman and the Smell of Adventure
by Ryan T. Higgins; illus. by the author
Preschool, Primary    Disney-Hyperion    48 pp.
7/25    9781368090216    $18.99

In Norman Didn’t Do It!: (Yes, He Did.) (rev. 9/21), porcupine Norman learned how to share his best friend Mildred, a tree, with others; here he discovers that they “don’t have to do everything together.” Norman suggests to Mildred that they go try something new, which leads to a (one-sided) argument and Norman storming off (“Fine! I will do different things on my own!”) with his pack of supplies (including camera and snacks). After exploring caves, rowing upriver, and encountering a moose, he climbs up high and realizes Mildred would love the tree-lined view. Norman returns to Mildred to apologize and relate his adventures, knowing that they can still share everything and pursue their independence. While the main narrative is straightforward, Higgins’s trademark absurdity (e.g., Norman’s thinking tree Mildred is even capable of going anywhere; he seeks advice from a potted cactus named “S-A-L-E…That must spell Sally!”) will have storytime audiences giggling. Comic-book features incorporated in the dynamic digital illustrations provide extra playfulness. Expressive gumdrop-shaped Norman’s evolving efforts to be a good friend—despite excessive rationalizing and rash behavior due to his underlying insecurity and naiveté—will ring true for many young readers, as will the lessons he learns by himself: for one thing, it turns out even porcupines shouldn’t try to hug a cactus (“Ouch!”).

From the September/October 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.