“J. M. Ashmore’s Prickles the Porcupine Learns About Peace is a heart-centered story that uses gentle woodland storytelling to explore one of the most profound fruits of the Spirit—peace. Prickles, a porcupine with a prickly personality and a tired heart, just wants some quiet. But Patty the puppy’s innocent enthusiasm leads to conflict, and what unfolds is a touching lesson in patience, communication, and reconciliation.

With elegant simplicity, Ashmore guides young readers through the emotional arc of frustration, escalation, and ultimately, resolution. The narrative does not shy away from showing how anger builds and how impulsive reactions—like yelling or hiding—don’t bring true peace. Instead, the book models thoughtful dialogue and problem-solving, anchored in faith-based values.

Children will relate deeply to Prickles’ need for space and calm, while also learning from Patty’s willingness to listen and compromise. The discussion questions at the end offer a meaningful extension into character education, ideal for families and classrooms alike. Both moral and emotionally intelligent, Prickles the Porcupine is a lovely parable that speaks to the heart—quietly powerful, spiritually rich, and utterly timeless.”

— Next Best Read
07/11/2025

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