Families who loved Hogbert by Briony May Smith often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is facing a new, independent milestone that feels a bit daunting, such as the first day of school or a solo playdate. It is a gentle, beautifully illustrated story about Hogbert, a young boar who gets separated from his family in the woods. While the forest initially seems full of shadows and scary growls, Hogbert soon discovers that the things he feared are actually friendly animals with their own stories. This book is an ideal choice for children ages 3 to 7 who are prone to anxiety or 'what-if' thinking. It validates their fear of the unknown while providing a comforting model for how curiosity and kindness can transform a scary situation into a safe one. By the end, Hogbert learns that the same traits that got him 'lost' are the very strengths that help him find his way back.