Review by Booklist Review
Poor Hedgehog is feeling lonely, but a spark of hope ignites when she overhears some other animals say, friendship is out there all she has to do is look. She immediately sets off to find an actual Friend Ship. Young readers will be tickled by the wordplay and Hedgehog's misunderstanding as she builds her own boat and amasses a crew to join her quest. What she doesn't realize, but readers will understand, is that she has built a Friend Ship, herself. A motley crew consisting of deer, a polar bear, a rat, an elephant, a beaver, and several other smiling creatures cram the ship and sail through storms and icebergs, disappointment and hope, safe in their camaraderie. While readers giggle at Hedgehog's inability to see what's right in front of her, they'll learn about the parts of a ship, the habitats of some animals, and the cardinal directions. Groenink's endearing animals, reminiscent of Jon Klassen's, will draw in youngsters, who will also enjoy knowing a little more than the story's characters.--Chaudhri, Amina Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
As Hedgehog lies in a "lonely little nook of a lonely little tree," she hears someone say, "Friendship is out there-all she has to do is look." She thinks friendship is a real ship-Groenink (Rufus the Writer) supplies a sepia-toned diagram of its masts and sails-and sets off in her own ship to find it. Everywhere Hedgehog lands, she asks animals if they've seen the Friend Ship. They always say no but eagerly board her ship to join in the search. Children will readily realize that Hedgehog's ship is the Friend Ship, but the animals keep searching. Eventually, Yeh (The Truth About Twinkie Pie) assures readers, they'll find what they are looking for, "Yes, yes, yes, yes-yessity-yes." Groenink's animals radiate sweetness, but it's the aura of his vignettes and spreads that draws the eye. Warm sunsets glow like polished wood, and starlight gleams from skies of Prussian blue. The depth and quality of the light gives the spreads a hint of the sacred-just right for this hymn to friendship. Ages 3-5. Author's agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary. Illustrator's agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Hedgehog overhears some woodland animals who are concerned that he looks lonely and is in need of some friendship. Thinking this is actually a ship, he goes searching in his own vessel to find it. Every time he encounters new animals, he asks if they have seen the "friend ship." No one has, but they want to tag along. Hedgehog gathers new companions on each page as he journeys along. This is a lovely tale about not realizing that the thing you long for is right in front of you. The illustrations are endearing, with muted hues and expressive faces. This title also makes for a fun play on words. The moral of the story and the sweet nature of the narrative make this a standout among books about friendship. VERDICT A strong read-aloud choice for back to school, Valentine's Day, or anytime.-Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
All the animals are welcome to come aboard.Hedgehog seems very lonely, "curled up in a prickly little ball in a lonely little nook of a lonely little tree." When she overhears a sympathetic conversation about friendship "out there," she perks up, picturing a beautiful "Friend Ship." Hedgehog sets sail with a curious beaver in a small boat to find it. Before long, the duo spots a herd of migrating deer on the shore. Hedgehog asks if they've seen the Friend Ship; all reply that they could use a friend and hop aboard. Next, the company spies a rat, who asks to join them. They sail in multiple directions to no avail. Hedgehog begins to lose hope, but her companions convince her to persist. She spots a small island, its only resident an elephant. Hedgehog swims the distance and asks the elephant about the Friend Ship. The elephant points at Hedgehog's small boat full of animals and asks, "Isn't that itright over there?" It's a lightning-bolt moment. Hedgehog invites the elephant aboard, and they sail west, celebrating all the whileinto the sunset together. Yeh makes effective use of dialogue and repetition, investing her characters with personality with just a few lines. Groenink employs sunny, warm hues that increase in saturation as the boat fills and Hedgehog becomes surrounded by friends. A sweet, simple story with a nicely offbeat heroine. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
