Emergent4-56 min

Forest Friends Rescue

A group of woodland friends works together to help a little hedgehog get home before dark.

Helping and teamworkA forest path with logs, lantern bugs, and a mossy hill

Page 1

A worried rustle

Squirrel heard a tiny rustle under the fern leaves. Hedgehog had wandered off the berry trail and did not know which way led home.

Read-aloud prompt: Who heard the first clue?

Page 2

Finding the trail

Deer used careful steps to look for the flat stones that marked the safe path. Squirrel climbed higher to look over the bushes.

Read-aloud prompt: Which friend looked from up high?

Page 3

Lighting the way

Clouds covered the sun, so the lantern bugs gathered in a glowing loop. Their soft light showed the mossy hill and the trail back home.

Read-aloud prompt: What helped the path glow?

Page 4

Almost there

Hedgehog walked slowly between Deer and Squirrel. 'I can do it now,' Hedgehog said, feeling brave with friends on each side.

Read-aloud prompt: How did Hedgehog feel with help?

Page 5

Home before dark

At the cozy log den, Hedgehog turned around and said, 'Thank you for helping me find the way back.' The lantern bugs blinked one last gentle goodnight.

Read-aloud prompt: What would you say to a helper?

Characters and vocabulary

HedgehogSquirrelDeerLantern Bugs

traillanternmossrescue

Caregiver notes

Ask your child which friend helped at each point in the story.

Use the story to model asking for help clearly.

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After-story questions

How did each friend help the rescue?

What would you carry on a forest walk?