When the weather outside is frightful there’s nothing more delightful than curling up and hibernating with a good hedgehog book. As you can probably imagine we get through quite a bit of hedgehog reading here at Home & Roost. So here are our favourite hedgehog books for 2020, for adults and children.
Whether you are getting your first hedgehog book or looking for something new to expand your library, there is a book here for you.
Best Hedgehog Books for Adults
Top Pick - Hedgehogs - Pat Morris
Those of you who follow this blog regularly will know that this is my go-to for well researched and written hedgehog facts.
Pat Morris has over 40 years of scientific hedgehog research to his name, He has probably written more on the subject than anyone.
But don't worry that you are going to be blinded by science, the book is a pleasure to read, with plenty of personal anecdotes, lovely drawings and hedgehog myths and legends as well as the science.
First published in the 1980s the book is regularly updated with the latest revision in 2018.
A hog-a-holic essential.
A Prickly Affair - Hugh Warwick
Hugh Warwick has spent over 20 years working with hedgehogs. He is an ecologist, activist and spokesman for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
His recent successes include petitioning for legislation to include hedgehog highways in all new housing developments.
This is a very personal account of one man’s life long love affair with hedgehogs. Inspiring, entertaining and full of fascinating facts.
A must-have for any hog lover’s bookcase
The Hedgehog Handbook - Sally Coulthard.
This book takes a slightly different approach, taking us month by month through the hedgehog year. It's a book you could read slowly with the family.
Beautifully illustrated and written by a nature lover, garden designer and smallholder based in Yorkshire.
The book is packed with hedgehog facts, ideas and advice.
The book's neat little pocket size makes it a perfect stocking filler gift
RSPB Spotlight Hedgehogs - James Lowen
You can always rely on RSPB books to be well written, well researched andpacked with pictures.
This one, by the award-winning naturalist and writer James Lowen, is no exception.
Like all our other picks here, it gives you everything you need to know about hedgehogs.
What I particularly like about this one is that it delves a bit deeper into the biology and the development of the species.
For the well-read hedgehog lover, it offers a different angle which will be much appreciated.
RHS How Can I Help Hedgehogs - Helen Bostock
As you might expect from a Royal Horticultural Society Book, this is one for gardeners.
And despite the title, it's only partly about hedgehogs.
The focus is on ways to welcome wildlife into your garden. Of course, most wildlife-welcoming strategies will work on a whole range of species, So the ideas in this book are useful for lovers of hedgehogs, birds, bees and all our other native wildlife.
The chapters are arranged as a series of questions like: "I've seen a hedgehog out in the daytime, is it in trouble?" And "Can I have a cat and a bird table?"
It's an exciting read with lots of ideas for the garden which will benefit hedgehogs and all your other garden wildlife too.
Best Hedgehog Books For Kids
It's never too early to get children interested in wildlife and hedgehogs are a great one to start with. So here are our picks of the best hedgehog books for kids.
The Tale Mrs Tiggywinkle - Beatrix Potter
The original hedgehog book!
Children will love having this read to them and looking at the illustrations.
Either on its own or as part of a Beatrix Potter set, this makes a perfect gift
Hedgehog Colouring Book - Creative Colours
This has some lovely pictures for older children or adults to colour. Even if they don't love hedgehogs when they start, they will by the end.
It's a well-made book with 83 pages to keep them entertained.
Good value.
The Very Helpful Hedgehog - Rosie Wellesley
This book for preschoolers is all about a hedgehog called Isaac and is a tale of friendship and why being helpful is good.
You will be asked to read it again and again.
Hello Hedgehog - Laura Bullen
This is a DK Level 2 reader. If, like me, you are a fan of DK travel guides, you will know their publications are always thoroughly researched and cleverly laid out. They help you easily discover fascinating facts about the subject.
This book follows the pattern. It's aimed at UK Orange Band reading level, so children aged 5 to 6. And even I learnt something (there are 17 different species of hedgehog worldwide).
This is a great book to start getting kids beyond the cute bit and into the science, in an effortless and fun way.
How to Help a Hedgehog and Protect a Polar Bear - Jess French
If you want your little ones to get a start on understanding the environment, the challenges it faces and what we can all do to help this is the book for you.
The author Jess French is a Ceebeebies nature presenter, so well in tune with her audience.
It's a National Trust book, so produced to their usual high standards.
I know a little person who will be getting this for Christmas, and I know she's going to love it.
Bonus Buy!
2021 Calendar - British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
A hedgehog for every month of the year and all proceeds going to support the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
Why would you possibly want any other calendar on your kitchen wall?
Your Hedgehog Reading List Sorted
We hope you've enjoyed this round-up of our favourite hedgehog books.
What are your favourites? Have we missed them? We would love to hear your thoughts. Leave us a comment below.
1 comment
Hi clare I was wondering when can i clean my hedgehog house out. don’t want to disturb them.
thank you.