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LAUREN CASTILLO studied illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art and received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She is the author and illustrator of the 2015 Caldecott Honor-winning book Nana in the City, as well as The Troublemaker and Melvin and the Boy. Lauren has also illustrated several critically acclaimed picture books, including Twenty Yawns by Jane Smiley, Yard Sale by Eve Bunting, and City Cat by Kate Banks. She currently draws and dreams in Harrisburg, PA.
""A sweet book, and the illustrations are charming.” —The Wall Street Journal “Hugely appealing. . . . Promises adventure, lovable characters, and sweet messages about helpfulness and tolerance.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review ""An outstanding new chapter book with the cozy feel of a classic.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Caldecott Honor Book creator Castillo lovingly offers up this story of friendship and bravery, which she liberally illustrates with sweet, sketchy artwork created in pen, pencil, and watercolor.” —Booklist, starred review “A gentle book about the gifts new friends bring into our lives.” —BookPage, starred review “Evoke[s] a timeless sensibility, rich with foliage and burgeoning friendship. . . . Castillo’s friendly message about community, courage, and new beginnings should be a hit.” —Publishers Weekly “Our Friend Hedgehog feels like a modern-day Winnie-the-Pooh. It’s so warm and full of joy and love. It’s got classic written all over it.” —Victoria Jamieson, Newbery Honor-winning author of Roller Girl ""What a sweet, lovely, comforting book, with a timeless world and cast of characters. Like any true friend, Hedgehog feels as if she has been here all along."" —Laurel Snyder, National Book Award nominee for Orphan Island “Gracefully interweaving pictures and words, Castillo transports young readers into the natural world where they meet beloved Hedgehog and her friends. Gentle and full of heart.” —Abby Hanlon, author of Dory Fantasmagory “This story feels like a book-shaped hug—it's a gentle, lovely tale about the magical first friendship that makes us feel treasured and courageous. You’ll want to read it aloud to a person (or pet) you love.” —Natalie Lloyd, New York Times bestselling author of A Snicker of Magic ""I love, love, love, love, love Hedgehog, Mutty, Mole, Owl, Beaver, Hen, the Chicks, and Annika Mae. I cannot wait to encourage every second-grade teacher to read it aloud. It is a perfect read-aloud.” —Mr. Schu, educator and author ""This is the type of story childhood memories are woven of."" —Pernille Ripp, educator and creator of Global Read Aloud
