Some children are not comfortable or happy when someone wraps a BIG bear hug around them and they wish to decline that good-intentioned behaviour. This informative book explains that there are many other ways to exhibit friendliness, love and caring to them.

The author suggests perhaps a wink, a wave, a wide smile, a fist bump or a high five, just to name a few, are wonderful substitutes for an unwilling scary hug. These alternatives can provide confidence in children who don't want their personal space invaded especially those on the autism spectrum or with touch sensitivity.

This simple short book has beautiful illustrations that enrich its message in a powerful way. It shines a light on respecting each other's boundaries and of learning the importance of getting consent before a hug is administered. The book depicts a diversity of people of different genders, ages, abilities and colour which I particularly love. "Please Don't Hug Me" will open up an honest and meaningful conversation about appropriate touching. I highly recommend it.

Please Don't Give Me a Hug! By Judi Moreillon tells the story of a child who does not like to be hugged, especially with unfamiliar people. It suggests waiting for the child to hug the person who is greeting. This simple story helps explain the concept of consent to younger children. It helps children feel in control of how they are touched by others. I feel this is especially important with students with autism or who have touch sensitivities. These students need to be in control of how they are touched and they need to know that it is okay to ask others not to touch them.

I received an advanced copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.

As an elementary educator, I see the usefulness of this picture book about respecting boundaries and asking for consent. As a mama of a three year old, I think it would be helpful to share with all young children to help them to be in charge of their own bodies and begin the conversation of respect one another's preferences. However, it just didn't quite land for me. The artwork is beautiful and I like the ideas of alternative ways of showing love and affection or joy, but the words fell flat. It needs some more to the text- perhaps rhyming would make it flow more enjoyably. I will still recommend it to my school counselor and other parent friends.

I do greatly appreciate the diverse characters!

Wow! As a teacher I plan on using this book to talk about personal space and preference. In all my years of teaching I’ve meet children who’s love language (preference) was not a big bear hug, but a smile, a wave, ruffling their hair or even doing a silly dance with them. What a perfect book to show that their are more ways to say hello and I care to a child that does not enjoy a hug.

Would recommend to all preschool and even young elementary school teachers.

I read this book last night with my three-year-old daughter and she loved it

She loves hugs and kisses most of the time but sometimes she doesn’t want them and she was able to relate to them with no issue, will also be good for when she starts school to know that not all children like to be hugged and sometimes other actions are enough for them.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, well written, lovely illustrations – very highly recommended!

This is a kind and sensitive book. It sends out the message that not all kids like

to be cuddled. They are okay with other contact and non -contact social gestures, but a hug may be too much..

We have to respect that. The important point is to accept the child's needs..

I think a child with touch issues will love this beautifully illustrated book.

**Thank you to NetGalley, author Judi Moreillon, and Star Bright Books for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**

This book is so so important. Many people don't realize how hard hugging can be for some individuals, and this book offers many great ways to exchange a hug for a new and different form of treating.

The cast of characters is representative, and there are multiple substitutes for hugs that are offered. I really appreciate that the author further elaborates on why this is important in the back of the book as this can hopefully help people understand how scary and difficult hugging can be.

I think this is a book that adults and children should read.

This is a short, sweet, and straightforward book about how some people just do not want to be hugged. It’s a reminder to be aware that others - especially children - may not want a hug from you. My favorite aspect of this book is that it gives children words... a voice. After reading this book a child will feel equipped with alternatives to hugging such as a fist bump, a pat on the back, a smile, a high five. It bolsters kids that they CAN voice that to someone. It normalizes that feeling for a child. While this book was almost too straightforward/to the point for me, I really appreciate what it can do for kids and for their parents as well.

This simple, short book tackles a basic building block in children's learning about consent: every person has the right to say what touch they like or dislike. In Please Don't Give Me a Hug, a child encounters many people throughout their day who all greet without hugging. "You can wink," or smile, or wave, or..... The message isn't "Don't touch anyone!" Instead, it's a gentle but straightforward lesson in giving even the youngest children agency in knowing and saying what greeting feels good to them. I love the illustrations; they depict adults of all ages with varied skin color and physical abilities. It's a warm, invitational book, and I can imagine using it as an opening for conversation with little ones.

I am excited to introduce this book into toddler and preschool classrooms and to use it in teaching adults of all ages about appropriate touch.

Please Don't Give me a Hug pairs an important and often overlooked in children's books message with soft, colorful illustrations. The text is a little unmemorable and flat in its simplicity - I was expecting more from it, maybe something rhyming or otherwise linguistically playful. But the art by illustrator Estelle Corke is charming and expressive. A sweet and helpful addition to children's shelves, emphasizing the importance of consent and bodily autonomy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Star Bright Books for the advance review copy!

I got this on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

This was a short and really important picture book! I really like how easily it made the message come across, and how it really focuses on the need for people (adults especially) to let the child decide when they want others to hug them. Forced hugs are not it!

Would REALLY recommend this!!

Great book that teaches children about bodily autonomy and that it is perfectly ok to voice their objection about receiving a bear hug. A perfect book about consent.

*Thanks to Star Bright Books and NetGalley for this Ebook in exchange for my honest review

Please Don't Give Me a Hug! is a fantastic book with a message that is long overdue. It shows different children navigate their daily life and shares options for providing physical affection. As a mother to two children with autism, I am going to share this book with others (especially grandparents) who do not understand that it is acceptable to show love in ways outside of hugging.

My boys have clearly defined boundaries, and social stories are crucial to helping them learn. My older son said he often feels this way so this was a good book for me to gain greater understanding and gain empathy for his day to day struggles. It was especially important for children to receive reassurance that they can choose when to give the hug.

The illustrations are colorful and they draw even the youngest reader in. Short sentences make the topic accessible for all. Watching the evolution of the children feeling comfortable with the other options to show love is clearly depicted with great detail. It is clear to all that showing affection can be accomplished in multiple ways.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Star Bright Books in exchange for my honest review from Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.