C. R. Mudgeon

February 6, 2012
A squirrel named Paprika adds some much needed spice to the titular hedgehog’s humdrum routine in this chipper friendship tale. After flamboyant Paprika moves into the tree next door, bright red poppies sprouting outside his door hurt C.R.’s eyes, zesty aromas make his nightly dinner of “celery root soup—no lemon” taste bland, and mariachi music rumbles his roof; it’s all too much for the quiet, persnickety hedgehog. He’s content to read his favorite book, Medical Cures from A to Z, by the fire and treat himself to “one small fig for dessert—but only on Tuesdays.” But Paprika’s neighborly behavior works its magic, and C.R. decides he’d rather be bothered by the commotion than be lonely. Muir (The Little Bitty Bakery) gets the rhythms of two opposite personalities just right, and sprinkles a piquant note of humor over the proceedings. Hector (The Gentleman Bug) also has fun with the contrasts, from C.R.’s cozy slippers and well-worn sweater to Paprika’s outrageously patterned frocks and piñata-festooned abode. Ages 4–8. Agent: Anna J. Webman, Curtis Brown. Illustrator’s agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House.

January 15, 2012
Young readers may not know beforehand what a "curmudgeon" is, but so many kids are creatures of habit they'll sympathize with this hidebound hedgehog. Charcoal-and-watercolor illustrations are softly colored in moss green, tree-bark brown, yellow ocher, pale blue and dusty rose, appropriate to the woodsy setting. C.R. himself is appealing; cute in spite of himself, with his pointy spines sticking up like recalcitrant hair, emphasizing his prickly nature. Reminiscent of Ereth the porcupine from Avi's Poppy stories, C.R. is outwardly grumpy and suspicious of anything new. When Paprika the squirrel moves in nearby, she plants bright poppies, enthusiastically greets him--immediately assuming they're friends--and cooks spicy food, the smell of which makes C.R. sneeze. It's not until the tables are turned, and Paprika is subdued by a case of the "whooping whiffles," that C. R. breaks out of his rut to care for her, realizing that, in fact, he has made a friend. As he learns to share his tastes with her, he even spices things up a little: adding salt to his celery soup, lemon to his dandelion tea. This paean to the value of moderation, conveyed via a friendship story that will resonate with children, is just right for any kid who's wary of new things, and maybe a bit shy. (Picture book. 4-8)

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February 1, 2012

PreS-Gr 2-C. R. Mudgeon is a prickly hedgehog whose orderly life is shaken up by a new neighbor. Paprika has a penchant for bright colors, hot sauce, and maracas. C. R. rebuffs the squirrel's friendly overtures and has to take to his bed to recuperate. Unable to bear the sight of her red poppy garden, the smell of her spices, or the sound of her music any longer, he puts an angry letter in her mailbox telling her to "move to a faraway tree." The next night he regrets his actions: "The quiet gave him a headache." When C. R. finds Paprika sick with the "whooping whiffles," he nurses her back to health. Hector's charcoal and watercolor illustrations are full of witty details, like C. R.'s droopy daisy boutonniere and Paprika's chili-pepper-patterned dress. While C. R. Mudgeon's change of heart comes about rather quickly, children will appreciate the sentiment that "Good friends are the spice of life."-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

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