Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweetly funny hugger's tale is irresistible read-aloud.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
The wide-eyed, long-armed little boy who calls himself the Hug Machine is on a mission: to hug anything -- and everything! -- in his path. Everyone needs a hug, he figures, and he's just the boy to help them out. If it's spiky, he'll don protective gear. If it's humongous, he'll grab a ladder. If it's an inanimate object, like a park bench or a mailbox, he'll still share some love. Pizza keeps him going, but a long day of hugging tires him out. A loving pair of arms scoops him up and holds him close, because sometimes a hug is just what you need.
Is It Any Good?
HUG MACHINE begins with the bold claim that the bug-eyed, floppy-armed, red-booted young boy is the best at hugging -- and it's easy to believe. In his first solo book for children, Scott Campbell beautifully blends humor and heart. He creates a winning young hero, earnestly striving to make the world a better place, one hug at a time. Campbell's watercolor illustrations, with a softened palette, enhance the comforting tone.
The little boy is utterly charming: Persistent and sure of his purpose, he sees hugging as his duty, a talent he must share. Kids will delight in the startled reactions to the boy's hugs and will love following him on his hugging spree through town (and parents will love the hugs that undoubtedly will follow this read-aloud).
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why hugs are so wonderful. What do you like about hugging?
Some of the people who receive hugs look a little startled. Talk about times when hugging might not be OK.
When have you hugged someone because you thought they needed a hug?
Book Details
- Author: Scott Campbell
- Illustrator: Scott Campbell
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Atheneum
- Publication date: August 26, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: February 10, 2020
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