Hug? by Charlene Chua
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 152530206X
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

On the first page of this book, a cat coughs up a hairball. It then says it doesn’t feel well, so it’s person asks if it wants a hug. The cat says yes, and this hug is followed by a litany of animals appearing on the page asking for hugs. The first few are sweet but by the end, the girl is exhausted and the requests feel more like demands. She says she doesn’t feel well and is comforted by a hug from her cat.

The premise of this book is cute and somewhat funny, but I’m always wary of books that imply kids are required to give hugs. There’s some semblance of consent early on, but by the end, the poor girl is hugging animals she’s not totally thrilled to be hugging. It does offer an opportunity for discussions about the importance of consent and spekaing up for oneself. The illustrations are vibrant and bring the emotions and the trepidations of the girl to the forefront. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME