The Littlest Things Give the Loveliest Hugs

October 1, 2018
Grown-ups glory in the hugs and snuggles of their offspring.Various species of adorable, big-eyed cartoon animals take a turn in telling about (or asking for) the wonderful hugs their little ones give. "How do you do it, my sweet beetle bug? / You're ever so clever at giving a hug... // You snuggle so nicely, it really is true... / Nobody, nowhere, can cuddle like you!" The illustration that accompanies the first couplet shows a ladybug, a spider, a millipede, and a snail snuggling with their offspring (depicted as miniatures of the adults); that for the second presents a seal and their child nose to nose. Other snugglers include field mice, elephants, ducks, koalas, tigers, bluebirds, rabbits, foxes, and penguins. The final spread shows a light-skinned mother and her brown-skinned child snuggling in bed; a photo on the bedside table shows the two along with dad, who is darker than his child: "And mommies and daddies / throughout the land, / we know that it's true-- / yes, we all understand... // that nestled in burrows or curled under rugs... / the littlest things give / the loveliest hugs!" Frost uses bright colors in jewel tones, and her characters, both humans and animals, are central in the illustrations, close-ups keeping the focus on the warm relationships. But although the pictures are adorable and kids do love to snuggle, there's little here that hasn't been done before, and perhaps better.New and prospective parents may eat this up--if they find it before all the others like it. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2018

Toddler-PreS-This is a charming tale of love and how it is celebrated with cuddles and hugs in all species. "When we cozy up in our sweet comfy nest, /you're so squishy-squashy.../You're simply the best!" Viewers see animals of all sizes including mice, elephants, ducks, koalas, and penguins, and the babies hug their parents their own way. It becomes evident that a hug is the universal language of love and comfort as the book comes full circle with a human mother and child cuddling at day's end. A spread of a koala family has a vertical orientation, which gives readers the illusion of looking up to see the koalas in the tree. Colorful, mixed media illustrations surround rhyming text that creates a singsong rhythm, making for a wonderful read-aloud or bedtime story. VERDICT Perfect for lapsit and toddler read-alouds. Children will be able to relate to the parent/child relationships as well as the familiar animals and habitats.-Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country Public Library, NY

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2018
Preschool-G Charming illustrations and a rhyming text combine for a pleasing read-aloud about loving parents and their offspring. How do you do it, my sweet beetle bug? / You're ever so clever at giving a hug / You snuggle so nicely, it really is true . . . / Nobody, nowhere, can cuddle like you! Koalas, ladybugs, worms, tigers, seals, mice, bunnies, and birds are just a few of the creatures pictured here, showing personified affection for one another. A human mother narrates, using terms of endearment for her child, such as bug, duckling, and dove. The large, textured, digital double-page-spread illustrations show little critters with a parent and are reminiscent of the work of Eric Carle and Michael Hall. Happy animal families in loving embraces are depicted in bright, bold colors. The endpapers reveal cute lightning bugs flying together during the day and at night, emitting their subtle glow, in this soothing picture book ideal for sharing at bedtime.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)