Little Tales of Hedgehog and Goat By Paul Green, illustrated by Kimberly Andrews, Penguin Random House, $19.99 .. .. .. .. .. ..

.. A chapter book for independent readers following Goat who lives alone in a remote paddock. He wishes for a friend, someone to talk to, then he meets Hedgehog. Each little story follows on from the other, tales of friendship and enjoying the magic of everyday life. Goat tells terrible stories that are more like poems. Hedgehog makes his stories live. It’s a very rural, New Zealand setting including visits from kākā and pukeko, which kids will enjoy. Good for children learning to read bigger books, from 5 and up, with illustrations to break up the text. The last story is a triumph of friendship. A little treasure. —