Both first grade classes have learned about Jan Brett’s stories in the classroom and in library class.

Mrs. Ackerman’s class was excited to meet Mrs. Sohl’s 7-week-old African pygmy hedgehog, who is much smaller than the European Hedgie in the book. Her African name, “Keshia”, means “the favorite.” Pygmy hedgehogs have been bred in this country for many years – Keshia was born in Worcester, Massachusetts!

Keshia looks almost identical to Jan Brett’s illustration of the curious hedgehog.

Mrs. Scruton’s students listened carefully to the book, while waiting patiently to have a chance to pet a hedgehog in real life.

Keshia is very outgoing (especially considering that she’s nocturnal and would normally have been sleeping at that time). She seemed to enjoy watching the first graders as much as they enjoyed watching her!

If Keshia had been nervous, she would have protected herself by curling up in a spiky ball and no one would be able to pet her. Because the children were so quiet and gentle, though, everybody got a chance to feel her short, sharp spines.