Perfect Picture Book Friday: DON’T HUG DOUG Plus Giveaway

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Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. This has been an exciting week! Tuesday was launch day for my own From Here to There. Wednesday was Inauguration Day. And today I get to share a brand new book from one of my dearest critique buddies, Carrie Finison.

DON’T HUG DOUG

Written by Carrie Finison

Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (January 26, 2021)

Ages: 3-7+

Themes: Personal space, respecting others, be true to yourself

Synopsis: From Amazon:

Meet Doug, an ordinary kid who doesn’t like hugs, in this fun and exuberant story which aims to spark discussions about bodily autonomy and consent–from author Carrie Finison and the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The World Needs More Purple People, Daniel Wiseman.

Doug doesn’t like hugs. He thinks hugs are too squeezy, too squashy, too squooshy, too smooshy. He doesn’t like hello hugs or goodbye hugs, game-winning home run hugs or dropped ice cream cone hugs, and he definitely doesn’t like birthday hugs. He’d much rather give a high five–or a low five, a side five, a double five, or a spinny five. Yup, some people love hugs; other people don’t. So how can you tell if someone likes hugs or not? There’s only one way to find out: Ask! Because everybody gets to decide for themselves whether they want a hug or not.

Why I Love This Book:

  • The text is delightful – brimming with heart and humor.
  • The illustrations are engaging and entertaining.
  • I love how the story empowers kids to stay true to who they are and speak up for themselves…not everyone loves hugs!

Here’s what the reviewers are saying:

* “A cheerful approach to basic consent . . . An excellent update on the golden rule: treat people how they want to be treated.” –Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review

“Simple and effective in showing young viewers how to establish bodily autonomy . . . A great starting point for a conversation about boundaries and how to set them.” –BCCB

RELATED ACTIVITIES

PAPER HUG

Photo Courtesy: https://happyhomefairy.com/a-paper-hug/

This is a really cute craft…for Valentine’s Day (which is coming up in less than a month) or for any day that your child wants to share a little love with a friend or relative. Detailed instructions on this fabulous website: https://happyhomefairy.com/a-paper-hug/

We all need to know we are loved…and the best way to show an author that you love her book is to buy it, review it, tell friends about it, and ask your local library to purchase copies for their collection.

And one more thing…author Carrie Finison is generously offering a copy of DON’T HUG DOUG to one lucky reader. Please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway – and please share the post on social media for extra tickets in the giveaway hat.

And for more wonderful picture book reviews and activities, please hop over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday linkup.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for spending your precious time with me.

58 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday: DON’T HUG DOUG Plus Giveaway”

  1. OMG! How great this book sounds! And I love the heart craft to go with it. I will be adding this book to my Valentine’s Day Choice Board for my school. We are 100% virtual (have been since last March). And a big Congratulations again Vivian!!

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  3. Few things are more awkward than parents telling a child to hug you hello or goodbye when the child has only known you a few hours or maybe seen you a few times. Poor kids. Carrie, you’ve found a fun way to remind adults and validate for young readers that children have preferences about hugs and who gives or gets them. Grin. –Kim

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    • YES! I so agree with you – completely awkward and really sends the wrong message to the child. There are plenty of other ways of respectfully greeting an adult without making the child uncomfortable.

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  9. I would love to use this book with my outdoor preschool class! I’m always looking for clever books with heart to share with my class. I’m hooked at the title–absolutely charming.

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  14. As a mostly non-hugger, I like this. There were many family gatherings that I dreaded as I knew there would be required hugs and kisses. That whisper, parent to child, Give Aunt Sarah a hug and kiss hello made me cringe for the child and for me.

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  15. I’m a non-hugger most of the time, at least with children who seldom signal they want hugs. So this book is an affirmation of my own feelings as well as of the ones many kids have. Thanks, Carrie, for writing it.

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  19. in this moment, it’s bittersweet to read about Doug and Hugs…it’s been over a year since I’ve been able to hug my grandchildren due to COVID. but, we live in hope! looking forward to meeting Doug, on his terms, of course!

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  24. I look forward to reading this story. It sounds like a story about setting boundaries and asking before you touch someone. Such an important topic for children. I also wondered if it is a story about a boy being overly sensitive and perhaps on the autism spectrum.

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  26. I read a spread from this book from another post. I like how Carrie made this topic very accessible for kids to understand. As adult, I feel like I can relate to Doug in some situations too. Congratulations! I can’t wait to read it. This post reminded me to go put in an order at my library.

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  27. YAY! This looks so adorable! And, honestly, it’s a topic that SO many kids can relate to (I kinda want to buy it for my 13-year-old who is CONSTANTLY wanting to hug his younger brother, who isn’t always game!). Congratulations on yet another awesome book! Can’t wait to read it!
    Rebecca Gardyn Levington

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  33. Perfect book for my grandson. He has a problem of getting excited and tackling his friends. We have a “respect my body” rule which sounds like Doug would like. Can’t wait to read it. Congratulations!

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  36. I am so looking forward to reading this to my class,as some have sensory issues. And I’m definitely going to borrow that cute Vday craft! Best on your launch!!

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  37. I cannot express how excited my family is about this book. We signed up for Carrie’s virtual reading coming up in a few weeks, after I showed my girls some info about this book and the few pages that were online to advertise the reading. THEY FELL IN LOVE IMMEDIATELY!!! “We HAVE to get that book,” my 8 year old said. Meanwhile, we got our library to order Dozens of Doughnuts but someone checked it out before I could get to it, ha!– so we’re waiting for that one. But I’m going to have to just go ahead and buy this one right off the bat. It is being begged for. Yay, Carrie– congratulations–from me and your newest fans, Audrey and Cordelia.

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  41. I love the idea behind this book! What a great topic for kids (and adults!) to talk about. And the illustrations look wonderful. Congratulations on this book, Carrie!

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  43. I love the message of this book and how it will give a voice for non-touchy/ feely kids. Us huggers, need to understand that not everyone is comfortable with hugs and that’ s perfectly OK. 🙂 Congrats on this wonderful book!

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  44. You don’t need to include me in the giveaway because I already purchased this book, and have been awaiting its arrival! I just loved the concept, I have a brother named Doug, and I am excited to share this book with my nieces!

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  47. Pingback: Julie’s Top Ten of 2020 – Old Firehouse Books

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