Interesting story. The illustrations were well done but the half hedgehog with human legs was a bit odd. ( )

I enjoyed this retelling, though never having read the original, I can't say how I feel about the changes Coombs made to the story. The text is simple and, though not short, still clear and engaging enough to be a good read-aloud. As for the illustrations, Nickle's style doesn't really appeal to me, but I still found his portrayal of Hans as hedgehog and the pigs rather charming. ( )

An interpretation of a Brother's Grimm folktale involving a half-hedgehog boy, uncanny musical ability, a lesson about promises, and a hint of magic.

This rendition of a Brothers Grimm tale, Hans My Hedgehog has a little more cheer than the traditional version. This book illustrates the story of a half-boy, half-hedgehog born to a farmer and his wife who doesn't get much attention from others, especially not girls. He has talent playing music and wanders off to stay in the forest with his friends. A couple of kings get lost in the woods and are drawn to Hans by his music. He helps guide the kings home and has asked for a favor of a princess in return. He is humiliated by one king, but given a princess by the other. There are some questions unanswered in this story, but it seems a bit more happy than the traditional version. The illustrations help make the story seem sillier and Hans ends up with his princess and the looks of a full, human-bodied prince. ( )

This is the story of hans, he is a half hedgehog half boy. Hans was born to a family that was cursed and he was born half hedgehog. Hans fell in love with fell in love with music and played wonderfully but still no one would be friends with the poor boy, except his pigs. Hans decided to leave his family and go into the forest to live. Hans was happy in the forest until a king became lost and hans help him find his way if only the king promised to give hans the first thing that greeted him when he returned to the castle. The king was greeted by his daughter but the king vowed that if hans came to collect he would not let him in. This happened two more time and when after the third king had returned home hans decided to come collet from the three. When Hans was refused at the first castle he and his pigs came in and took the kings gold. When they reached the third castle the daughter of the king decided to hold up their end of the agreement and marry Hans. At the wedding Hans was playing his music and suddenly he fall to the ground then as everyone looked, Hans had turned into a full boy and he lived happily ever after.