The Hug

(Hardback, Main)

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Description

Hedgehog was feeling sad.
As sad as a hedgehog can feel.
So sad only one thing could help...

Tortoise was feeling sad.
As sad as a tortoise can feel.
So sad only one thing could help...

In this clever flipbook, both a hedgehog and a tortoise are looking for a hug. They ask all the other animals they come across but for some reason no one will hug them. Until a wise owl explains: Hedgehog is too spiky; Tortoise is too bony.

And that's when they find each other!

A beautiful, heartwarming picture book with all the universal appeal of Guess How Much I Love You.

Reviews

"Watching unlikely friends finally be as 'happy as two someones can be' feels like being enveloped in your very own hug."--Kirkus

"A tender story that carries the message of embracing one's perceived shortcomings, best to be shared with early elementary students and the very young." -School Library Journal

"Sometimes all you need is a little TLC, but that's easier said than done for a prickly-backed hedgehog and a hard-shelled tortoise. With adorable arms outstretched, the two embark from opposite sides of this innovative flip book as they encounter a parade of alarmed forest animals intent on declining their offers to embrace with one hilarious excuse after another--until Tortoise and Hedgehog meet in the middle, proving that there really is someone out there for everyone." -- Foreword Reviews

"Such a simple little book, this offers a great amount of pleasure when the two animals find one another ... Perfect for when you need a hug, even if you are a bit prickly or too hard." -- Waking Brain Cell

"A perfectly charming picture book ... a delightful read-aloud selection." -- All About the Books with Janet Squires

"I love the story and the adorable artwork. An especially good read for anyone who has had trouble finding a friend but potentially eye-opening for those who easily reject others." -- Susan Uhlig, So Many Good Books

" A sweet story that reminds readers that there's always someone out there to hug, no matter how prickly or how tough you may think you're feeling." -- Rosemary Kidlatis, Queens Public Library librarian and reviewer at MomReadIt

"The Hug is simple and sweet and deeply satisfying." -- Tanya Turkek, Books4YourKids

"Read from one side then flip it and read from the other side. You end up in the same spot and it is all adorable. You see, tortoise and hedgehog both just want a hug and are turned down by all the other animals until they find each other in the center of the book... It's a creative concept that will keep what is a short picture book in the toddler rotation much longer." -- WindyCityReader

"A beautiful quiet book, perfect bedtime, that children will want to read again and again."-- Rebecca Herzog, SlothReads

Author Bio

Polly Dunbar is one of the most well known illustrators working in the UK today. Polly's bestselling book, Penguin, has won numerous awards including the BookTrust Early Year's Award, the Nestle Silver Children's Book Prize, the Red House Children's Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Polly was chosen as one of BookTrust's Ten Best illustrators. Polly is the illustrator of Shoe Baby, Pat-a-Cake Baby and two picture books written by David Almond. Polly created Tilly and Friends, a series which is now animated on CBeebies and many of her other stories have been adapted for the stage. She is also co-founder of an award-winning theatre company. Polly lives in the Waveny Valley, Suffolk with her family.

Eoin was born in Ireland and now lives in Peckham with his wife and their baby. When he's not hugging them, he's writing more stories. The Hug is his debut picture book, with many more in the pipeline.