The reader is invited to consider some things about when, who, and how to hug and also advised to be prepared to receive one in return.

It’s easy to picture hugging a bunny, or even a billy goat…but how would you even begin to try to hug a porcupine? After seeing all his friends hug their favorite animals, one brave boy must grapple with this very question. Eventually he works up the courage to hug a porcupine—but the porcupine isn’t so sure he wants to be hugged! The surprise ending to this humorous tale, complete with charming illustrations, will have kids begging to hear this fun read-aloud again and again!

Will hugging a cactus help it grow? This story follows a little girl who only wants to find a way to hug her beloved cactus without getting hurt. She searches for a solution, but the ideas of her family members don't work. Then, she creates special cactus-hugging gear that solves her prickly problem--and creates a new one! This rhyming story brings humor and heart to the important concept of problem-solving.

A young boy discovers many different kinds of hugs and ways to show love as family members and friends gather to welcome his immigrant relatives from China.

Amy Guglielmo, Jacqueline Tourville, and Giselle Potter come together to tell the inspiring story of autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin and her brilliant invention: the hug machine. As a young girl, Temple Grandin loved folding paper kites, making obstacle courses, and building lean-tos. But she really didn’t like hugs. Temple wanted to be held—but to her, hugs felt like being stuffed inside the scratchiest sock in the world; like a tidal wave of dentist drills, sandpaper, and awful cologne, coming at her all at once. Would she ever get to enjoy the comfort of a hug? Then one day, Temple had an idea. If she couldn’t receive a hug, she would make one…she would build a hug machine!

Includes a detachable folded poster of "The Hatrix."

A beautiful, heartwarming picture book with all the universal appeal of Guess How Much I Love You.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!'Feels like being enveloped in your very own hug.' Kirkus'A smashing story time tale.' Books for Keeps'It's utterly lovely. It makes her face light up every time she hears it.' The Guardian Best Books of 2019

The bestselling and heart-warming picture book that shows us ways to be affectionate while social distancing, from the team behind The Hug.Hedgehog and Tortoise were the best of friends. They wanted to give each other a great, big hug. But they weren't allowed to touch. "Don't worry," said Owl. "There are lots of ways to show someone you love them." So the two friends wave to each other, blow kisses, sing songs, dance around and write letters. And even though they can't hug and they can't touch, they both know that they are loved. A gorgeous, uplifting, inspiring picture book that makes social distancing fun!

"A group of underwater friends learn to ask for permission before showing their prickly, pufferfish pal some love"--