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Hug Time
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that 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.
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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?
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.
Talk to your kids about ...
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.
Book details
- Author: Patrick McDonnell
- Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell
- Genre: Picture Book
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
- Publication date: October 1, 2007
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 48
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