CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEWS
KIRKUS REVIEWS
EVERYBODY DESERVES A HUG
This picture book by a father-daughter team features adorable monsters sharing friendly hugs. As furry and multihued monsters demonstrate warm embraces, the rhyming narration defines hugs as “a loving squeeze, an inward tug.” No matter what size or age, no matter the season, the narrator continues, everyone wants to be held sometimes. The poem goes on to describe different types of positive actions: helping a young child to stand, cuddling in a group, sharing a smile or laugh, showing what makes each individual unique, being respectful, needing to cry, and even letting people have their own space. The inclusion of the last is an important balance to an otherwise high-contact work, especially for youngsters who may not like hugs as much as their peers. Renée Snelson’s cartoonish monsters all have long eyelashes, heart-shaped noses, shaggy fur in a wide variety of beautifully tinted colors, and expressive tails. The dynamic images show plenty of action as well as an assortment of loving embraces. Doug Snelson’s rhymes scan well, although a few take the imagery astray or use a metaphor that might go over the heads of the youngest readers: “Everybody needs to love. / Around the world, follow the dove.”
Lap cuddlers listening to this sweet read-aloud will get all the snuggles they need.
Writer's Digest Competitions Book Review
Everybody Deserves a Hug by Doug Snelson, 12/6/2021Reviewer Summary
Author has established the book's theme, allowing the young reader to set foot in the story, immersing into the pleasant rhyming pattern. That's perfect for young readers, and author keeps in mind what the many repeat readings of this book will feel like to both adult reader and child. Very well done. It’s a feel-good story with feel-better lessons imbued.
Illustrations capture the eye and attention nicely. Illustrator has given us a lot to look at in each of the characters, which makes for enjoyable multiple readings. I enjoyed the characters’ facial expressions and movement, each of which went a long way to enhancing the narrative. Well done.
There is lot to look at in this book, and young readers will be attracted to the details of the characters gathering and interacting. Background graphics such as the big hearts behind the characters in pastel hues at the end of the book keep conveying a reliable energy level. Well done.
Characters exist to model bright emotions and demonstrate healthy positive attitudes in relationship to others. Author has done well to let the topic shine, not dulling it with giving each of the characters names and personalities. Author keeps the focus on affection and makes sure we know that everybody deserves a hug. This all-inclusive message is a positive one for kids.
Author and illustrator have struck a wonderful energy throughout the story, elevating the narrative while honoring young readers’ affinity to story and/or images. Especially with kids on the spectrum, this story gently reinforces good messaging and provides sensory awareness within the drawings here. Very well done. Lots of successful layers in this book. I would add this to my list of young reader books perfect for gift-giving.
Judge, 29th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.
REVIEW – Everybody Deserves a Hug
Dolores Long “Gotta Love It”
The Solution for Not Being Able to Give a Hug
Gotta Love It offers reviews of books and products that readers should know about to add quality to their lives.
We were recently introduced to a marvelous new book created by Doug Snelson (www.dougsnelson.com) called “Everybody Deserves a Hug”/ Petalous Publishing LLC. It is a charming story told in rhyme of a family of hairy snuggle creatures who come to understand all of the messages contained within the simple act of hugging, complemented by very artistic and colorful illustrations from Renee Snelson. This book offers a very creative way to send a hug to grandchildren or others at a distance, to let them know that sooner or later, real hugs will be possible again. Put this one on your stocking stuffer gift list to be sure.
Everybody Deserves a Hug by Doug Snelson – Gotta Love It!