SCORCH

A classroom hedgehog longs to be seen as the fierce beast she knows she is.

“High on a craggy cliff she looms, looking out at her glass castle. No more being cute like her ancestors. Her destiny will be ferocious!” But no matter what Scorch does—glowering, gnashing her teeth—the students of Room 402 react the same way: “Aww!” When she accidentally propels herself into a nearby terrarium, the snake that lives there decides to make a meal out of her. Scorch resorts to what might well be considered feminine wiles to save herself: striking adorable poses and planting a big smooch on the snake, who backs off. “She’s KILLER cute!” the kids agree. While Scorch ultimately triumphs, the book may leave readers with the retro, sexist message that for women and girls, physical appearance trumps all. In the garish digital art, sharp-toothed Scorch often looks downright demonic as she attempts to project a tough exterior. Though the children vary in skin tone, they all have large, oddly shaped, nearly identical faces, with overly animated expressions. Scorch’s dramatic language and her athletic antics may elicit some chuckles, but overall the tale feels like one long weak joke, with a punchline that grates against feminist ears.

A one-note story with a problematic takeaway.