This book is cute, but I'm critical of the model of consent portrayed. When the child is asked for hug by increasingly un-huggable characters, she gets less and less willing, but they keep hugging and it is not until she is entirely overwhelmed that she says "stop." I could see this book as a good conversation starter, with an adult asking ""Should porcupine have gone ahead and hugged her when she said 'oh boy' instead of yes or no?" and "Do you think the tiger should have agreed to the conditions for a hug without keeping them?" But without an alert reader, this book leans towards teaching ONLY that "no means no" rather than the "only yes means yes" model that we as a society should strive for.

A cute little story about different animals and creatures asking a girl for a hug and how that tires her out but in the end when she's the one receiving the hug, it's so much better. It's really adorable.

I thank Netgalley and Kids Can Press for the digital ARC

A cute book on the joys of hugs. It also tells that sometimes, you may be too tired to give hugs and sometimes you may not feel for a hug and that is okay. The illustrations are bright and coulourful.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

This story was cute, but it wasn't engaging enough for my kids to be interested in reading it more than once. At three (almost four) and six, they prefer stories with a little more content. I think it would be perfect for toddlers and younger preschoolers. The illustrations were great! They were so colorful and the looks on the faces of the girl and the animals was a fun little detail that my boys enjoyed.

3.5/5 stars

Title: Hug?
Author: Charlene Chua
Release Date: 9.1.2020
Review Date: 5.15.2020

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This one is really cute. It makes me think of my best friends hugs which have magical healing properties. The illustrations for this one are great too.

Picture book. A very simple text about a girl giving hugs. She starts out hugging her cat to help it feel better. Then the dog wants a hug, and then... As the animals get less and less huggable, the protagonist looks more and more frazzled until she finally puts her foot down. This is a story that can be used to introduce differences (ie some people like hugs, some don't) or personal boundaries (you don't have to hug someone if you don't want to). A very simple text makes the book accessible to beginning readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review a digital ARC.

We really enjoyed reading this book. The book has very few words however the font size and illustrations allowed us to act out those words in a very fun manner. The illustrations are super cute and the book clearly demonstrates the effect and impact a small hig can make. Absolutely adorable book suitable for 2 - 5 years old.

Very cute book. Read to my niece and she enjoyed It. She walked around all day saying Hug? Hug? Hug?!

A humorous tale about a little girl who offers a hug to her sick cat. Following this act of kindness, a host of animal characters proclaim needs for hugs as well. A smelly skunk, a huge bear (who gets a bear hug, of course), an elephant, a dragon, a tiger, and more—all until it becomes too much for the little girl and she feels sick. This starts the cycle in reverse, with the cat offering the little girl a hug. The animals are shown hugging one another.

Adorable, fuzzy, warm bedtime story just before a hug goodnight (or any time of day). This one will become a “read it to me again” favorite. Whimsical, colorful illustrations accompany the fun text. Five stars.

Exploring Boundaries: A Review of Hug?
Written and illustrated by Charlene Chua
Published by Kids Can Press
Available September 1, 2020
Ages 3-7

Sometimes a hug makes everything feel better. After a girl’s cat suffers from a gnarly hairball and falls ill, the girl offers a hug, and everything improves! But then one by one, more animals come by for a hug. First, a dog asks politely. Next, a pair of flapping ducks arrive. Third in line is a stinky skunk. And that’s just the beginning! This humorous tale asks, “How many hugs are too many?”

This charming picture book is filled with a delightful menagerie of creatures. Each scene sets the stage for the next potential hug confrontation to come. As the demands increase, so does the girl’s weariness. With each new hug, which demands more of the girl, the reader gets an opportunity to laugh – hug a porcupine?! – and see the girl’s reactive emotions. The images take center stage here, and oversized visual cues about emotions and feelings are both silly and educative. Charlene Chua’s expressive illustrations lay the foundation for conversations around boundaries and empathy. In these socially distanced days where hugs can be few and far between, this book is a timely, lovely addition to a collection

The illustrations in this book are adorable! They definitely make the book!
There isn't much of a plot with this story, but it is still a cute book.
I would buy this book for my preschool classroom! I am sure my students would enjoy it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book!

Such an adorable book. It will be great to teach students the importance of setting boundaries and taking care of themselves not just others. The little girl clearly is getting worse as the pages go on, this is a nice visual for students to see how our boundaries get pushed little by little. It is okay to say no to a hug. And it is okay to need one in return. Overall, great picture book. Can't wait to read with my class.

This is a very sweet book about hugs. It also teaches consent (every animal asks for a hug before giving or receiving one) and the ability to say no to a hug if you don't want one. I like that it shows that both options are ok and it's up to the child whether or not they want a hug. Illustrations are adorable, and my kids enjoyed reading it together. Thank you for Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Cute illustrations, shows that everyone needs a hug sometimes. But that doesn't mean its up to one person.

The book was about giving hugs to different aniamls, but also the importance of taking care of yourself. The plot moved forward with the help of the illustrations, showing the girl getting more and more emotionally drained. It is a simple book and one of importance to show younger children the importance of also taking care of yourself.

This is a simple little book without much of a story, but it's a cute take on the joys (and perils) of hugs. Perhaps the most valuable thing in it, aside from the sweet illustrations, is the message about consent.

A little girl is petting her cat when it throws up a hairball (as they do). It doesn't feel so good, so the girl asks if the cat would like a hug. Soon, everybody--from dogs to bears to porcupines--wants in on the hugging action, until the girl is so worn out from giving hugs that she doesn't feel so good herself. The tables then turn, with her cat asking if she would like a hug.

I like how everyone's asking for permission here. There are no uncomfortable, unwanted hugs (with the exception of when one of the animals tries to eat the cat). This book could be used as a springboard for a conversation about consent and personal boundaries.

The pictures are cute and the characters have great expressions. I've seen Chua's work before in Going Up! If you like her style, you'll find it's used to great effect here.

Overall, this is a strong picture book, even if the story is really more of an idea than a plot. But it works well for what it is, and it could help teach kids about consent in an easy-to-understand way.

A delightful storybook about a child wanting a hug!

This would be a fun read for a little one, little one's who still like lots of hugs and some quick tickles and laughs. The story follows a child asking everyone for a hug, and there is a moment of sadness without a hug, and of course joyful resolution.

Recommended for youngest ones, to read for quick hugs :)

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for an advance reader's copy for review. Honest opinion given.

This is a humorously and adorably illustrated story book.  It starts with a cat in need of a hug and...watch what comes next!  Young children and their adults will find this book to be delightful.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for letting me review this book. WOW!!! This was a funny and cute story about hugs. The pictures are great. I will recommend to the library to get for our collection. #NetGalley

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

The illustrations make the book! And the simple text just adds to the charm. I would definitley recommend this one!