This sweet little children’s book follows Prickles, a grumpy porcupine who just wants some quiet time to nap in his cozy forest den. But his peace is wrecked by Patty, a cheerful puppy who loves to dig and happens to be doing it way too close to Prickles’ home. As the story unfolds, Prickles tries all the wrong things—puffing up his quills, hiding, and even yelling—to make the noise stop. But it isn’t until Patty suggests they talk and work together that Prickles learns a better way: finding a peaceful solution that makes both of them happy.
We’ve all had those moments where we feel irritated or overwhelmed and just want some quiet. The way Prickles reacts—first with frustration, then anger—is pretty true to life, especially for little ones still learning how to manage emotions. I appreciated that the story didn’t shy away from showing how his actions didn’t help, and how things only got better when he chose to be kind and helpful. That’s a strong message, simply told, and it landed with warmth.
The writing is straightforward, with lots of repetition, especially of the “whish-swish” sounds—that adds a fun rhythm kids will enjoy. There’s a gentleness to the storytelling that kept me engaged, and the lesson about peace doesn’t come across as preachy. I loved how Patty responded to Prickles’ anger with calm curiosity. That turn from conflict to teamwork was touching. And the way it all wrapped up with Patty happily digging far away and Prickles finally catching some Z’s made me smile.
Prickles the Porcupine Learns about Peace is a feel-good story for kids learning about emotions and how to handle them. It’s especially great for bedtime or quiet reading moments when you want to sneak in a lesson without making it obvious. I’d recommend it for ages 3–7, or for any family working on patience, problem-solving, and being a little more like Patty.
The Literary Titan is an organization of professional editors, writers, and professors that have a passion for the written word. We review fiction and non-fiction books in many different genres, as well as conduct author interviews, and recognize talented authors with our Literary Book Award. We are privileged to work with so many creative authors around the globe.
Thank you for this wonderful review!