Elmore is the latest gem by the Toot and Puddle creator, Holly Hobbie. Elmore is a loveably prickly porcupine with a big prickly problem. His quills. How can Elmore find a way to make friends when nobody wants to get near him due to the fact he will poke them with those same said quills? He cannot help it, he is a porcupine after all.
Over all this is a sweet story about a porcupine trying to make friends and the ups and downs that occur in the process. However, the one little quirk that I did not care for was that the forest animals did not try to be friends with him until Elmore gave them free porcupine quills to be used to write letters. Yes, I am over thinking this, but it was just a bit unusual for my liking.
With all that said, it is a delightful story about trying and making friends. Also, it is about the fact that Elmore is a real proud porcupine and never really gets too down on himself, such as thinking “what is wrong with me” all the time. He tries and has success.
The illustrations, of course, are fantastic. Hobbie has created some amazingly fun pieces of art done in that Holly Hobbie signature style. They are an interesting mix of bright and light colors and are both soft and bold all at once. They show our little porcupine hero in all of his glory. They are quirky and realistic. And just a nice treat for the eyes.