I Need a Hug product reviews

I had seen this book up for review a while ago, although I did not apply for it I was still keen to read the reviews. When we saw at the local library I knew we had to bring it home. I think I was more excited to read it then Miss four but as we cuddled in on the couch she listened to the end and when I laughed at the snake she was rather confused. I asked her at the end what she thought the book was about and she said that the 'hedgehog wanted a cuddle and nobody would which is sad'. I then asked her would she cuddle him and she said she wouldn't cause he would prick her with his needles.

It is a very easy book to understand and as I love stories that rhyme it was right up my alley but unfortunately Miss four and Miss 7 where not feeling it. We have had now for three weeks and neither girls have wanted to read again which is rather sad as I find the book extremely cute.

The pictures explain a lot as do the words. Just wish it was a little longer because as soon as you get into the swing of things the book has finished. It could of done with a couple more animals but I do love the twist with the snake at the end. I find it a little pricey for such a short book but I personally did enjoy it.

I had one VERY EXCITED 2 year old when she rummaged through my review goodies and stumbled across a "Harry the Hedge book", (Harry the Hedge is our 'pet' hedgehog who seems to come and visit our house most evenings and eat the cats cat biscuits lol). Miss 2 straight away declared that we needed to read the book straight away, as it was a very important book that we could not wait to read.

The story is about a very prickly animal (who we decided was a hedgehog, although this is not actually stated in the book) who goes around wanting a hug from all the different animals, however due to his spikiness nobody wants to give him one. As we read further into the book you could see that the hedgehog was getting sadder and sadder due to the fact that nobody would hug him, this seemed to Miss 2 sad as her bottom lip kept dropping and she said "you have to be kind to your friends, and give them a hug if they want one". She soon perked back up neared the end of the book where the hedgehog gets a hug from a snake. Miss 2 wanted to read this over and over and after a while seemed to pick up on the fact that the hedgehog was in fact not getting hugs due to his prickles.

I took the book to the daycare where I work and shared it with a group of 4 year olds, they started laughing in hysterics the whole way through the book as they thought it was hilarious that a spiky hedgehog was wanting hugs from other animals, when I asked them why it was funny they replied "you don't hug hedgehogs there to spiky", the animals responses to the hedgehog also really amused them. I'm not to sure why but the end of the story didn't seem to please them that the hedgehog ended up getting a hug from the snake, I think they were a bit miffed as to why a snake would hug a prickly hedgehog? None the less this provided us with the perfect opportunity to discuss why it is important to be kind to everybody no matter there shape, size or colour as everybody is different and can still be friends, which led onto discussions and comparisons about the children in the room and how they different and similar to one another.

Another great book by Aaron Blabey with neat illustrations and a great humorous story which is a hit with the children. Certainly a great book to add to your collection.

Miss 5.5 loves giving everyone hugs but when she looked at the cover of I Aaron Blabey's latest book "I Need a Hug" she burst out in laughter. The idea of giving a spiky creature hug was hilarious. We had a big discussion about what the animal could be. I thought it was a hedgehog, she thought it was an echidna (which is a good guess given that the author is Australian) and her big sister thought it was a porcupine. Nowhere in the book does it identify the animal but on the various websites selling or reviewing the book she/he is referred to as a porcupine. I suppose that has the advantage of the creature can be whatever the child wants it to be.

As the title suggests the spiky creature goes around asking unsuccessfully for hugs, We could tell by the illustrations he is getting very sad. The book takes a lovely twist at the end which leaves you feeling happy. It also reminds you that friends can come in all shapes and sizes. Miss 5.5 loved the ending and even told me how she was happy for the animals.

I think the best part about this story for both me and my daughter is that we snuggle up together to read it and share lots of hugs while doing so. This is particularly important after a stressful day at school and work. She loves reading it to me including all the words on the end pages. This is helped to increase her confidence and enjoyment as a reader. It is a very simple book that would appeal to toddlers as much as it does to me daughter. This is another Aaron Blabey book that we will be reading until it falls apart.