Hedgehogs

Pat Morris
Whittet Books Ltd (2014)
ISBN-10: 1873580908
ISBN-13: 978-1873580905

‘Hedgehogs’ updates a classic work which first came out in 1983 with findings from recent research on hedgehogs. Pat Morris is passionate about hedgehogs, and likes telling stories about them. He also gives advice on caring for hedgehogs in your garden, including feeding, and providing shelter for hedgehogs, and how to encourage them to come into your garden. There’s an index, in case you need to look anything up. There’s also a list of further reading if you want to explore the world of hedgehogs.

The book is an enjoyable read, with short chapters, a lot of anecdotes, and the original illustrations by Guy Troughton. ‘Hedgehogs’ would make an ideal gift for young people interested in natural history, and is also fun for adults

Dawn Wrobel, Susan A. Brown
John Wiley & Sons (1997)
ISBN-10: 0876055013
ISBN-13: 978-0876055014 

This little book has now become a classic. It is an introductory guide to keeping African pygmy hedgehogs written by Dawn Wrobel,  a specialist in hedgehogs with a lot of practical experience. She has both bred African pygmy hedgehogs , and is involved in hedgehog rescue. Susan Brown, who is a vet specialising in exotic animals, contributed the section on health care for hedgehogs. The result is a very useful guide for owners of African pygmy hedgehogs, based on first-hand experience as well as research. The book thoroughly covers the basics that would-be and new owners need to know, it is well organised and well illustrated. It is accessible enough for older children. If pushed, I would prefer Sharon Vanderlip's book on African Pygmy hedgehogs as a first choice, simply because it is more up to date, but Dawn Wrobel's book comes a very close second, is good value for money, and is definitely worth reading, especially if you are a novice owner.

Sharon Vanderlip
Barron's Educational Series, 3rd edition (May 2010)
ISBN-10: 0764144391
ISBN-13: 978-0764144394

This book may surprise British readers, because it focuses on a rather exotic type of hog, the African Pygmy Hedgehog, which is popular in the US as a pet, but is less well-known in Britain. Wild European hedgehogs are really best left in the wild, and if you are a hedgehog lover, you can encourage them by making your garden hedgehog-friendly - see below for some useful books on how to do this.

African Pygmy Hedgehogs are smaller than European hedgehogs, and are geared to living in hot climates, so they need to live indoors. Sharon Vanderlip's book is an interesting introduction to these exotic animals, whether you are interested in keeping one as a pet, or whether you just like hedgehogs, even if you don't actually want an African Pygmy Hedgehog as a pet. The book gives basic information on African Pygmy Hedgehogs both in captivity and in the wild, and has some lovely photos. It is easy to follow, so is accessible enough for older children, as well as adults. This guide covers a bit more ground than Dawn Wrobel's introduction to African Pygmy Hedgehogs, though neither is more than a basic guide, and serious hobbyists are likely to want more information.

Hugh Warwick
Penguin (1 April 2010)
ISBN-10: 0141034297
ISBN-13: 978-0141034294

Hugh Warwick is obsessed with hedgehogs, and why not? They are truly magical creatures, and he conveys their magic to readers. 'A Prickly Affair' is a very touching book, funny in parts, serious in others, and always entertaining. It is clear that Hugh Warwick really likes hedgehogs, knows a lot about them, and wants everyone else to share his understanding.

This is one of those rare books which both entertains you, and teaches you a lot. It is perhaps not suitable for children, especially any who are likely to be upset by the idea of eating hedgehogs. However, any thinking adult who is interested in the wild creatures which visit their garden, is likely to enjoy 'A Prickly Affair'. Maybe not all of us have the stamina to sit in fields in the dark, braving the cold for a glimpse of prickly creatures. We'd rather read about them while tucked up in a warm bed. Never mind because Hugh Warwick undergoes this uncomfortable task for us, as well as travelling to talk to other hedgehog enthusiasts in America, opening doors to worlds of hedgehog lore which we could never imagine existed. Highly recommended for anyone fascinated by wildlife and human quirkiness.

Sally Morgan
Franklin Watts (24 July 2008)
ISBN-10: 0749679123
ISBN-13: 978-0749679125

Sally Morgan has written a brief guide to hedgehogs aimed at older children. On the plus side, this is an accessible and scientifically accurate guide, so will enhance children's understanding of wild European hedgehogs far more than the more sentimental accounts aimed at children. It is, however, quite expensive for such a short book.