Hug Hug!

This is a very basic book with only one line for each of the dozen pages. But it works. It's cute and we use it for a pre-nap book for our 8-month-old. I like to pair it with Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball which is my favorite, and with it's somewhat more complicated story and more detailed drawings I think they balance out.

This book is so sweet and the illustrations are adorable! Although it's perfect for 3-and-under, my son will soon be 4 and he loves to read it. The text is simple enough for him to recognize some words and the sweet pictures tell the rest of the story. Our favorite is the penguins, who share "Hugs in the snow." They're having a great time sliding down a big hill, laughing and hugging at the bottom. Plus, my son likes counting the little baby possums ("Hugs in a row.") on their mommy's back. And he loves making up his own silly rhymes, "Hugs with our elbows, hugs with our toes," amid much laughter. We love it!

I bought Hug Hug!, intending to give it to my almost 2 year old daughter, for Valentine's Day. However, I was pretty excited to give it to her, since she's been obsessed with hugs lately and it seemed like the perfect book for her. Well, I know I hit the jackpot when I read the book, for the first time, and she hugged EVERY page! Her new catch phrase is, "Awwww...cuuuuuuute." and that accompanied almost every squeeze. The book is short and sweet with simply adorable illustrations of a variety of animals, big and small. The other charming thing about this book is the variety of ways that the animals hug...with noses, in the trees, in a row, with our rears (adorable bear hug). It opens up some ideas for fun traditions when reading the story or in your daily hugging rituals!