“’A porcupine?’ asks the Tom the Duck.
‘A porcupine,’ says the Rob the Frog.
Chomp watches curiously
as the porcupine hides behind a tree.”

Chomp the Chimp encounters a quiet social moment in this gentle story about patience, observation, and connection.

About the Story

Chomp the Chimp Meets Someone New (or The Shy Porcupine) is the fourth book in The Adventures of Chomp the Chimp children’s picture book series. In this story, the forest is abuzz about a strange, unfamiliar new animal. While everyone wonders what and who the stranger is, Chomp slowly approaches the shy stranger who prefers to keep her distance. Rather than rushing to interact, Chomp watches carefully and allows time to pass before finding a gentle way to say hello to the newcomer.

Rooted in principles of early childhood and developmental psychology, told in gentle rhyme, and paired with soft, expressive illustrations, this fourth installment of The Adventures of Chomp the Chimp unfolds at an unhurried pace that emphasizes respect for boundaries and the gradual development of trust. The book is designed to help young readers/listeners observe social cues as they explore what it means to notice others and respond thoughtfully. With a focus on encouraging openness to others, the book is intended for children ages 3-7 and geared towards family shared reading, bedtime reading, as well as classroom use.

Themes: Patience, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), social observation, social awareness, empathy and openness to others.

Intended Audience

Early childhood; generally ages 3–7, including preschool through early elementary readers. The book is especially well suited for shared read-aloud settings. Age ranges are provided as general guidance. Individual suitability may vary by reader and context.

Series Context

This title is part of The Adventures of Chomp the Chimp Series, a collection of gently paced stories that focus on observation, emotional safety, and everyday experiences in a natural setting.

→ View the full Chomp the Chimp series

Availability

Expected availability: September 2026

For Librarians & Educators

This section provides acquisition and supporting information for professional use.

Format: Hardcover picture book Softcover picture book
Trim Size: 8.5 × 8.5 inches 8.5 × 8.5 inches
Page Count: 30 pages 30 pages
ISBN: 978-1-971921-07-5 978-1-971921-08-2
Library of Congress Control Number: 2026910648 2026910648
Publication Date: September 2026 September 2026
Language: English English
Country of Publication: United States United States
Distribution Distributed via Ingram and available through major wholesalers and library ordering systems.
Illustration by:

Supporting Materials