PREMIUM PREVIEW: Little Hedgehog and the Book Emergency

Summary

Little Stories for Tiny People: "Little Hedgehog and the Book Emergency"

Episode (PREMIUM PREVIEW) | Released: August 30, 2025
Host & Narrator: Rhea Pechter
Featured Characters: Little Hedgehog, Bebe, Mr. Hedgehog, Ms. Swindletooth, Little Guy

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Episode Overview

This delightful preview episode from Little Stories for Tiny People spins a funny and heartwarming tale about Little Hedgehog and her friend Bebe as they face two dramatic book-related emergencies. Endearing animal characters and clever dialog invite listeners into the Great Forest, where library deadlines and summer reading challenges loom as large as dragon attacks, and the value of reading (and cleaning one’s room) is lovingly debated. The story incorporates themes of responsibility, friendship, and the comical melodrama that grows around overdue library books.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Rhea Sets the Stage

• [00:51] Rhea introduces the episode with a humorous real-life book emergency involving her opossum neighbor, Sven, who returns a waterlogged book about paper airplanes.
  • “I spent the better part of the morning drying each page, walking back and forth in front of my oscillating fan.” – Rhea ([01:24])
• This segues smoothly into the fictional story—also about a "book emergency."

2. The Double Emergency Is Revealed

• [02:27] The story proper begins, narrated in a cozy, endearing tone.
• [03:27] Little Hedgehog and Bebe burst in on Mr. Hedgehog, claiming,
  • “Oh, it is, dad. The biggest emergency, actually.” – Little Hedgehog ([03:52])
• The nature of the emergencies is revealed with comic drama:
  • First Emergency: Bebe has forgotten to return a library book for the first time ever.
    • “It is metaphorically dangling, Mr. Hedgehog.” – Little Hedgehog ([04:10])
  • Second Emergency: The looming deadline for the school’s summer reading challenge.

3. The Overdue Book Drama

• [05:14] Bebe, a "certified speed reader," confesses she has never been late before—a fact that Little Hedgehog emphasizes with pride and playful exaggeration.
• The book is overdue by “six weeks, three days and 46 minutes,” causing Little Hedgehog dramatic distress:
  • “That fact brings an ache to the very marrow of my bones that seems a tad dramatic.” – Mr. Hedgehog ([06:22])
• Discussion of where unreturned library books go:
  • “The Land of Lost Library Books.” – Little Hedgehog ([06:59])
  • “It's located right next to the Land of Lost Socks.” – Mr. Hedgehog ([07:03])
• Backstory: The book blended in with Bebe’s and her mother's wilderness survival collection during a cleaning frenzy, triggered by a family visit. ([07:10]–[08:17])

4. The Summer Reading Challenge

• [09:14] Little Hedgehog explains her love of reading, the school’s summer reading program, and why she usually forgoes prizes:
  • “The joy of reading is itself a prize more valuable than gold encrusted crickets.” – Little Hedgehog ([09:25])
• [10:16] The eccentric Ms. Swindletooth, with her over-the-top announcements and original “reading challenge” song, sets a goal:
  • “50 books. Listen up. You've got to read 50 books... Not just any. 50 nifty books on our ultimate summer challenge reading lists.” – Ms. Swindletooth ([10:56])
• [12:02] Bebe has read 49/50 of the books but is missing one crucial title:
  • “A Whistle in the—the True Story of a Whistle Pig’s Journey to a Mountaintop and Beyond.” ([12:20])

5. The Plan of Action

• The friends hatch a plan to return the overdue book and (hopefully) obtain the missing title by visiting the school library that night.
  • “We can hit two crickets with one pinecone, dad.” – Mr. Hedgehog ([12:49])
• Mr. Hedgehog is initially hesitant, given summer break and the librarian’s absence, but a dropbox provides hope. ([13:21])

6. The Real Emergency: Cleaning Your Room

• Before they can go, Little Hedgehog faces a different challenge:
  • “The room has to be completely clean before the first night of school.” – Mr. Hedgehog ([15:18])
• The comical inventory of Little Hedgehog’s “collections” (antique toothbrushes, piles everywhere):
  • “Those were antique toothbrushes, Mr. Hedgehog... It is possible those toothbrushes were handed down through many generations of hedgehogs.” – Little Hedgehog and Bebe ([14:40], [14:54])

7. Permission Granted and Off They Go

• [15:48] After some promises to clean, Little Hedgehog and Bebe are allowed to head to the library—joined by Little Hedgehog’s chameleon, Little Guy, whose "yay" is met with affection.
  • “The third yay came from Little Guy, Little Hedgehog’s pet chameleon, who was perched on her shoulder. Prickles. He had observed this entire interaction with a mild level of interest, befitting a lizard.” – Narrator ([15:54])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I shan’t sleep a wink till the book is safely returned.”
— Little Hedgehog ([06:42])

“BB has read 49 books, dad.”
— Mr. Hedgehog ([12:14])

“Those antique toothbrushes could be worth millions of crickets.”
— Bebe ([14:58])

“The third yay came from Little Guy… befitting a lizard.”
— Narrator ([15:54])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 00:51 | Rhea’s “real-life” book emergency & story intro | | 02:27 | The story proper begins | | 05:08 | The overdue library book is revealed | | 10:16 | Ms. Swindletooth’s reading challenge announcement | | 12:20 | The quest for the 50th book discovered | | 13:48 | The cleaning-your-room subplot emerges | | 15:48 | Permission granted to go to the library | | 16:20 | Preview concludes and premium invitation |

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Episode Tone and Style

The episode is creative, whimsical, and full of droll humor, with the over-the-top seriousness about library book returns and reading challenges providing plenty of laughs for kids and adults alike. Rhea’s warm, engaging narration style is complemented by the distinctive voices of the animal characters, and the writing not only entertains but gently reinforces positive values—responsibility, love of learning, and the joys (and perils) of being a passionate reader.

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To hear how Little Hedgehog and Bebe’s “double emergency” resolves, subscribe to Little Stories Premium for the rest of their adventure!

Transcript

[Rhea]

Hello, everyone. This is Rhea with a quick note. This is a preview of an episode exclusive to Little Stories Premium. Little Stories Premium gives you more of the stories you love, an ad free listening experience, and access to Little Stories for Sleep, an exclusive bedtime podcast featuring brand new sleepy stories. Perfect for that last track on a bedtime playlist. Subscribe or purchase a gift subscription by visiting littlestoriespremium.com now onto the show.

[Narrator]

This is Rhea. Welcome to Little Stories for Tiny People. You know, I almost couldn't record today due to a book emergency. You see, last week, I lent a book to my neighbor, an opossum named Sven, and I believe I made it clear that the book needed to be kept inside the treehouse at all times. Well, Sven might be an advanced reader, but he's not the best listener. He returned the book this morning, completely waterlogged. Apparently, he left it outside during a sun shower. And it's not just any book. It's on the history of airplanes of a paper variety. So, obviously I was distraught. I spent the better part of the morning drying each page, walking back and forth in front of my oscillating fan. As you can imagine, I was so absorbed in this task that I nearly forgot to tell you a story. In fact, I've completely forgotten what the story is about. Let me just see here.

[Little Hedgehog]

What?

[Narrator]

Well, that's odd, because it seems her story is also about a book emergency.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Hmm.

[Narrator]

Let's hear it. It's called Little Hedgehog and the Book Emergency. Take it away, Charlotte.

[Little Hedgehog]

Remember, there are no pictures. You'll have to imagine the pictures in your mind. You can imagine them however you want. Okay, here we go.

[Narrator]

It was a late summer night. Outside, a group of frogs were meeting for their weekly choir practice. Inside, Mr. Hedgehog was deep in the middle of something for work. He sat at the small desk in the small office in his small underground burrow in the Great Forest. His brow furrowed in concentration when there came a knock at his office door. He didn't ignore it. He didn't even hear it. Sometimes when you are absorbed in a task, there could be a woodpecker pecking at your own head and you would not even notice.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Dad?

[Narrator]

Mr. Hedgehog. Mr. Hedgehog eased back in his swivel chair and stared at the door. Behind it, he knew, was his prickly daughter, Little Hedgehog, and. And her best friend, Bebe, who tended to be wherever she was at any given minute.

[Little Hedgehog]

I'm in the middle of something. Unless it's an emergency.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Oh, it is, dad. The biggest emergency, actually.

[Little Hedgehog]

Two emergencies.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

A double emergency, dad.

[Little Hedgehog]

The situation is dire, Mr. Hedgehog. Unless Bebe's arm is falling off or something.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Then it very nearly is, dad.

[Little Hedgehog]

It is metaphorically dangling, Mr. Hedgehog.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hedgehog opened the door. In the hallway stood Little Hedgehog, eyes enormous, smiling, prickle to prickle, paws clasped.

[Little Hedgehog]

Together in anxious anticipation.

[Narrator]

Beside her Bebe stood, eyes mid sized, smiling shyly. Neither of her arms appeared injured, metaphorically or otherwise.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Dad, something shocking has happened.

[Little Hedgehog]

You will never believe it, Mr. Hedgehog. Try me.

[Narrator]

Little Hedgehog and Bebe exchanged a solemn look, then a sharp nod. Bebe withdrew a large book from the shadow beneath her prickles and thrust it into the light.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

BB Forgot to return a library book.

[Little Hedgehog]

I forgot to return a library book, Mr. Hedgehog.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hedgehog studied them. Meantime, Little Hedgehog and Bebe were breathless.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Dad, Bebe has never not returned her library book before.

[Little Hedgehog]

Typically, I return library books in just three days. I am a certified speed reader, able to take in an entire page in a single glance. I was trained by my third cousin Gerson, who is one of the premier hedgehog speed readers in the world. He can read a page in not just a glance, but a glance in his periphery. He can hold the book up to the side of his head and still retain information caught only out of the corner of his eye. I have not yet mastered that, Mr. Hedgehog, but give me time. However, my time is up with this particular book.

[Narrator]

Bebe added, helpfully holding up the book in his direct line of sight. Mr. Hedgehog put a paw to his chin. Prickles.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

We must return it to the school library immediately.

[Little Hedgehog]

This book is six weeks, three days and 46 minutes overdue, Mr. Hedgehog. That fact brings an ache to the very marrow of my bones that seems a tad dramatic.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hedgehog said, School starts in three nights. Just return it then, Mr. Hedgehog.

[Little Hedgehog]

I shan't sleep a wink till the book is safely returned. Uh huh.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Dad, if we don't return this over to Library Book tonight, it might fall into at this.

[Narrator]

The two friends exchanged a wide eyed look.

[Little Hedgehog]

The Land of Lost Library Books.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

It's located right next to the Land of Lost Socks.

[Narrator]

The two friends giggled. Bebe, why didn't you return the book.

[Little Hedgehog]

On time at the end of the school year? Funny you should ask that, Mr. Hedgehog, as it is an interesting story. Typically I leave all library books in a visible spot on the tea table. However, a week and a half prior to the last night of school, my mother announced that my Aunt Floris and Uncle Florian would be dropping in for an impromptu visit. They are known to be extremely tidy, Mr. Hedgehog. My mother flew into a veritable cleaning whirlwind, and I was swept up in its gale force gusts. Uh huh. In a rare moment of absentmindedness as I neatened the living room, I moved every book, including this library book, onto the bookshelf, where it blended in with my mother's books on wilderness survival and my own books on wilderness survival.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

What is that library book about, Bebe?

[Narrator]

Little Hedgehog asked, her eyes dancing with books.

[Little Hedgehog]

Arctic wilderness survival. I see.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hedgehog glanced briefly at the work on his desk.

[Little Hedgehog]

Ironically, when my aunt and uncle arrived, they insisted on having tea outdoors. Uncle Florian said it was too nice out to waste the night underground. And if we are plucked up by owls, then so be it. So the cleaning frenzy was all for naught.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Hmm.

[Narrator]

Did I hear you say there were two emergencies?

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Oh, yes, dad.

[Little Hedgehog]

That is correct, Mr. Hedgehog. In addition to the first dire emergency involving a shockingly overdue library book that must be returned immediately lest I never sleep again, there is another deeply pressing book related situation that I must deal with in haste.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Haste, dad.

[Little Hedgehog]

I'm listening. Every summer, our school encourages students to participate in a summer reading program by offering prizes and accolades. Okay, I always read far beyond the target number of books, but I never accept any prizes because the joy of reading is itself a prize more valuable than gold encrusted crickets.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

I agree that reading is its own prize, but sometimes they give out fun stickers.

[Narrator]

Little Hedgehog said, her eyes twinkling.

[Little Hedgehog]

Okay, this year our school came up with a new Ultimate Summer reading challenge, which Ms. Swindletooth, our school's activity director, announced at the end of the school year.

[Narrator]

Indeed, Ms. Swindletooth, a rabbit of unusual size with particularly substantial front teeth and ears, had announced the new program over the intercom with one of her original.

[Ms. Swindletooth]

Songs, A candle bur pages turning.

[Little Hedgehog]

So.

[Ms. Swindletooth]

Much learning to do. Summer reading Hearts a beating words a leaping across the page.

[Narrator]

It was one of her longer songs, so we'll just skip to the important part.

[Ms. Swindletooth]

50 books. Listen up. You've got to read 50 books.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

And not just any.

[Ms. Swindletooth]

No, not just any. 50 books you wish. But 50 nifty books on our ultimate summer challenge reading lists. 50 books.

[Little Hedgehog]

Thank you, Ms. Swindletooth, for that inspiring announcement. Students, if you read all 50 pre selected books on our Summer Challenge reading list, you'll get to have lunch with me, Principal Petri Dish. It will no doubt be a decent meal accompanied by polite conversation and the occasional chuckle. Most of the students stared blankly up.

[Narrator]

At the intercom, but Bebe's eyes lit up. She'd immediately obtained the Summer Challenge reading list and went about acquiring the necessary titles. Mr. Hedgehog, she said presently, there is.

[Little Hedgehog]

Just a single book on the list I have been unable to obtain. It has been out of stock at all forest libraries and bookshops. I have checked the inventory on a weekly basis.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Bebe has read 49 books, dad.

[Little Hedgehog]

Wow. Yes, Mr. Hedgehog. But I only have three nights left to find the 50th book. The title is A Whistle in the the True Story of a Whistle Pig's Journey to a Mountaintop and Beyond.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Hmm, that sounds familiar.

[Narrator]

I wonder why, little Hedgehog said, staring at the ceiling.

[Little Hedgehog]

Mr. Hedgehog, it is possible that by traveling to the school library this evening, we can resolve both of my book related emergencies at once.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

We can hit two crickets with one pinecone, dad.

[Little Hedgehog]

Right. I will be able to return this disastrously overdue book. And on the off chance the librarian is there, I may be able to obtain the final book to complete the 50 book summer reading challenge.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Please can I go with BB? Can I, dad? Please?

[Little Hedgehog]

My mother has pre approved this errand, Mr. Hedgehog.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hedgehog scratched his chin.

[Little Hedgehog]

What if the librarian is not there? After all, it's still summer break.

[Narrator]

There is a Dropbox on the exterior.

[Little Hedgehog]

Of the school building. We can simply deposit snow way out. Brilliant Strategies for Surviving the Arctic into it.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hedgehog glanced at the pile of important work on his desk. He imagined the beautiful silence that would follow their departure from the burrow. It was not a difficult decision.

[Little Hedgehog]

There was just one problem.

[Narrator]

Little Hedgehog, dad said, narrowing his eyes. Did you finish cleaning your room? Little Hedgehog's cheerful smile became ever so slightly less.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

I promise I will have everything cleaned up by the first night of school. Just like you said.

[Little Hedgehog]

You only have three more nights. And last I saw, there were still piles everywhere.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Dad, those are my collections.

[Little Hedgehog]

Like the jumble of toothbrushes I happened.

[Narrator]

To step on the other day while.

[Little Hedgehog]

Looking for my measuring tape.

[Narrator]

Which, by the way, you may not use without asking.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

I was making a dinner jacket for Little Guy. I had to measure the arms.

[Narrator]

Arms.

[Little Hedgehog]

The rule stands.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

I'm sorry, Dad. I won't do it again.

[Narrator]

Little Hedgehog said solemnly, then smiled.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

And those were not just any toothbrushes that you stepped on.

[Narrator]

Those were antique toothbrushes, Mr. Hedgehog.

[Little Hedgehog]

Judging by their level of wear and.

[Narrator]

Tear, it is possible those toothbrushes were.

[Little Hedgehog]

Handed down through many generations of hedgehogs.

[Narrator]

Bebe added helpfully, those antique toothbrushes could.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Be worth millions of crickets. I can't just toss them into the forest.

[Little Hedgehog]

It would be tantamount to throwing away perfectly good clogs like the ones made by my Aunt Gulinda, who is known for her wood crafts.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hedgehog looked from his tiny daughter to her best friend.

[Little Hedgehog]

The room has to be completely clean before the first night of school.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Yes, Dad.

[Little Hedgehog]

I will assist Mr. Hedgehog. Any and all collections have to be stored neatly in containers in the closet.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Yes, dad.

[Little Hedgehog]

Understood.

[Narrator]

I don't know how you keep track.

[Little Hedgehog]

Of anything in that room. There's probably all kinds of things hidden under those piles.

[Narrator]

The two young friends waited with expectant smiles. Their eyes twinkled.

[Little Hedgehog]

All right, you can go. Stick to the trail.

[Mr. Hedgehog]

Yay.

[Little Hedgehog]

Yay.

[Ms. Swindletooth]

Yay.

[Narrator]

The third yay came from Little Guy, Little Hedgehog's pet chameleon, who was perched on her shoulder. Prickles. He had observed this entire interaction with a mild level of interest, befitting a lizard. Off they went into the forest.

[Rhea]

There is so much more to this story. You can hear the full episode by becoming a Little Stories Premium subscriber. Visit littlestoriespremium.com to join. And thank you as always, for listening in.

[Ms. Swindletooth]

La.