While We Can't Hug (Hedgehog & Friends) - Hardcover

McLaughlin, Eoin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0571365582 ISBN 13: 9780571365586

Publisher: Faber & Faber Children’s, 2020

Synopsis

From the team behind the bestselling The Hug, a heart-warming picture book that shows us ways to be affectionate while social distancing.

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!

About this title

About the Authors

Eoin McLaughlin was born in Ireland and now lives in Surrey with his partner and their young son. When he’s not hugging them, he’s writing more stories. The Hug was his debut picture book. He also wrote Secret Agent Elephant, illustrated by Ross Collins and The Case of the Missing Cake, illustrated by Marc Boutavant, and has many more picture books in the pipeline.

Polly Dunbar is one of the best-known illustrators working in the UK today. Polly's bestselling book, Penguin, won numerous awards including the BookTrust Early Year's Award, the Nestle Silver Children's Book Prize, the Red House Children's Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Polly was chosen as one of BookTrust's Ten Best Illustrators. Polly is the illustrator of Shoe Baby, Pat-a-Cake Baby and two picture books written by David Almond. Polly created Tilly and Friends, a series which is now animated on CBeebies. Polly lives in the Waveny Valley, Suffolk with her partner and their two boys.

Reviews

K-Gr 2-What perfect timing for this topic, in an era in which hugging is rare (COVID-19) and conversations about respecting personal space and boundaries are gaining traction. In a sequel to The Hug, Hedgehog and Turtle, who are the best of friends, are separated by more than their quills and shell. For unstated reasons, they are not allowed to touch at this time. Wise Owl reassures them that there are many ways to show someone love and friendship. The friends experiment with different messages, beginning with a wave and a smile. They blow kisses, exchange funny faces and letters, and share art, dancing, and music. Ultimately, they both know that they are loved. Illustrations in ink and soft watercolors depict each character against creamy colored backgrounds, with a shade variance on each double-page spread to demarcate the separation. VERDICT The timeliness of this sweet, understated story cannot be overstated. Recommended.-Jessica Marie, Salem P.L., ORα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Faber & Faber Children’s
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0571365582
• ISBN 13: 9780571365586
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Dunbar Polly
• Number of pages: 32