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Hug Time (by Patrick McDonnell)

common sense media says

Adorable kitten shares the importance of love.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know this sugary sweet story from the creator of the Mutts comic strip reinforces the idea that love is all you need. It also travels the globe teaching kids about trees and animals from different parts of the world.

Positive messages: A kitten's travels show that the world is really a small place and everyone needs to be loved.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.

More on Hug Time

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the importance of hugs. How does getting -- or giving -- a hug make you feel? Why is that contact with loved ones important? Families can also talk about the different countries and animals they see in the book.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Jules the kitten has a lot of love and wants to share it with the whole world. With his "Hug To-Do List," he sets off on a journey from his backyard to Africa, India, and the North Pole hugging people, trees, and animals along the way.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
If every adult would read this happy-smiley book, the world just might be a better place. It's a very simple story: A friendly feline, Jules, has so much love to give that he needs to dole it out, one hug at a time. Yes, the book gets a bit cheesy ("The world is so big, and yet so small. It's time that we embrace it all."), but readers -- especially young ones who still have an unconditional acceptance of others -- won't mind at all. What they'll come away with is a touching story filled with a sense of adventure.

Through the lovely watercolor illustrations, kids will learn what a wombat is and where a baobab tree grows. They'll find out that despite the miles between all of Earth's inhabitants, the world is actually fairly small. They'll also discover just how powerful a hug can be. Kids and adults alike will be left feeling warm and fuzzy -- and ready to hug their neighbors.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Patrick McDonnell
Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication date: October 1, 2007
Number of pages: 48
Hardcover price: $14.99
Paperback price: $0.00
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 6

This review was written by Heidi Kotansky
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age