Hug?

PreS-Gr 1–The pleasures and perils of hugs are explored in this adorable picture book. A little girl, with tan skin and black hair in a ponytail, offers her cat a hug after he hacks up a hairball; she is observed by a dog who then approaches in search of a hug of his own. The girl is happy to oblige until each hug seems to inspire more and more animals to show up for a hug. With each new encounter, the poor girl becomes increasingly bedraggled and smelly, there’s ducks, a skunk, and more alarmingly, a bear, porcupine, and tiger, among others. Eventually she has had enough hugging and finds that she needs comfort of her own. Preschoolers will love this simple, humorous book featuring charming watercolor and pencil illustrations and speech bubbles, used by animals and humans alike. They’ll want to guess who is coming in for a hug next, as each illustration provides a small hint of the next creature looking for love. This book may also be used for discussions, or even just as a helpful reminder, that kids can exert control over their own bodies and comfort levels when it comes to contact with others. It’s okay to say no!