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16 pp.
| Clarion
| March, 2022
|
TradeISBN 978-0-358-66393-5$7.99
(2)
PS
Gosling Ollie (Ollie the Stomper) is feeling out of sorts, and "Nothing feels right!" One by one, his friends kindly offer help. Does he want to wear Gertie's boots or play with Peedie's ball or go exploring with Gemma? Ollie patiently refuses each offering ("Ollie would rather stomp alone... / Ollie isn't hungry") until Gideon innocently suggests some quiet time. And with that, Ollie has reached his limit: "Ollie wants to be loud!" Dunrea's spot-on illustration shows our frustrated gosling yelling, beak wide open. Cue Gossie, who now knows exactly what Ollie needs: a hug. Just right for toddler attention spans and well-aimed at little ones learning to identify emotions and get their needs met, this board book is a soothing story for trying times. Get your hugs here.
48 pp.
| Simon
| April, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5344-0091-7$10.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5344-0091-7
(3)
K-3
Cactus Hank spends life sitting in the window of a desert home and snubbing the odd turtle, tumbleweed, or other passerby. After Hank snaps at a cowboy, the man says, "Seems to me, somebody needs a hug." That gets Hank thinking... This wry tale of blossoming self-awareness boasts watercolors of amazing variety given that all scenes feature an immobile plant.
24 pp.
| Abrams/Appleseed
| December, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-2826-6$14.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Lisk Feng.
A father and daughter connect the natural world with their affection for each another in this cozy, rhyming picture book. Saturated, rosy-toned illustrations of whimsical nature scenes--such as eggs holding hatchlings "warm and snug" and the "strong yet gentle" hug of a cocoon--alternate with images of the stylized protagonists sharing sweet moments outdoors. A succinct, tender, and visually appealing read.
40 pp.
| Little Simon
| December, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5344-0026-9$7.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4424-5936-6 New ed. (2014, Atheneum)
(3)
PS
A young boy enthusiastically explains why he is the "best at hugging" everyone and everything. After a busy day full of hugging, he discovers it's just as nice to be hugged. Campbell's story retains its humor and accessibility in this smaller board-book trim size, thanks to plentiful white space surrounding the cartoony watercolor illustrations and a pithy, toddler-friendly text.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2014
32 pp.
| Little Bee
| June, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4998-0404-1$16.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Rebecca Ashdown.
Wally, a boa constrictor, is an enthusiastic hugger. When his animal friends at school are scared of his hugs, Wally expresses how sad he is. If Wally agrees to be gentle, his classmates will gladly accept his hugs. The end feels slightly problematic--Wally kisses everyone without permission because "he couldn't help himself"--but the expressively illustrated story could start discussions on consent.
(3)
K-3
I Like to Read series.
A small child happily hugs her cat, her dog, a friend, a tree. The text consists of a single sentence on each page; the "I hug my..." structure repeats, with only the object nouns changing. McPhail's familiar pen and watercolor-wash illustrations, a variety of vignettes and full-page art, convey warmth and security. A positive, upbeat experience for the youngest readers.
40 pp.
| Farrar
| January, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-30314-3$16.99
(3)
K-3
Annie and Woody can't stop fighting, so their exasperated mother offers a unique solution: every time they argue, they have to "hug it out." Loosely sketched illustrations reveal many more forced hugs, but once they finally learn to share, they begin to appreciate the hugs. This light tale balances the contrasting feelings of frustration and love that only sibling relationships can elicit.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Emilia Dziubak.
Daddy Bear and Little Bear decide to give a number of reluctant forest animals hugs, because as Daddy Bear says, "Hugging always makes you feel good." The evocative illustrations feature borders that range from leafy edges to carrot tops to spikey forest branches, among other organic surroundings. The lush pictures help make up for the saccharine story line.