A hug can say so many things, like “I love you,” “Thank you,” or “You’re my friend.” When times are stressful and feelings are big, sometimes there’s just nothing better than a warm hug. To celebrate all the lovely things that a hug can say and do, we’ve gathered nine of our favorite picture books about hugs for you and your little readers to curl up and get cozy with.
Bird Hugs by Ged Adamson
Bernard is different from other birds: as his arms are many times the size of his small body, and he cannot fly like his friends. This leaves the little fellow feeling quite dejected, until he stumbles upon an orangutan who is also going through a rough time. Wrapping his extra-long wings around the ape, he makes both of them feel better. Not only is it adorable and heartwarming, but Adamson’s book also offers an outstanding lesson in how appearance and ability come in many forms, and that our differences often lead to unique and useful talents.
Nobody Hugs a Cactus by Carter Goodrich
Hank the cactus lives alone in a pot on a desert windowsill. It’s hot, dry, dusty, and quiet — just the way he likes it. Several passersby greet him, but Hank hollers at all of them, leading a passing cowboy to remark that “nobody hugs a cactus.” This gives Hank pause, so he passive-aggressively mentions hugs to his desert neighbors, but it seems that the cowboy is correct. When Rosie the Tumbleweed rolls by, needing a favor, Hank considers for the first time that to receive kindness, perhaps he needs to offer kindness in return. Brilliantly charming and surreal illustrations are the perfect complement to this prickly but sweet tale of learning how to be a good friend.
Group Hug by Jean Reidy, Illustrated by Joey Chou
When a cute little banana slug happens across a melancholy beetle, the slug offers a hug, and it leaves both critters feeling much better. Deciding to share their newfound joy, the pair come across more animals who are feeling a little out-of-sorts — a mouse, a skunk, a goose, a fox, and so on — and each one joins in the cuddle, creating a hug that’s even more supportive: a group hug! The group hug grows larger and larger as each new friend is invited in… until the bear shows up. With snappy rhyming text and irresistibly cute artwork, this satisfying story will leave little ones feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
We Love You, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony
Seventh in Antony’s utterly charming Mr. Panda series, this title sees the lovably stone-faced protagonist on a quest to give out some free hugs to his friends. Unfortunately, whenever he comes upon another animal who is in need of a hug, it turns out they’re actually asking for a hug from a different nearby friend. Fans of the series will appreciate the role that Mr. Panda’s best pals Penguin and Lemur play in this story, and especially the series’ traditional rug pull in the final pages, which is particularly gratifying in this case.
Plenty of Hugs by Fran Manushkin, Illustrated by Kip Alizadeh
There are lots of things for a child to expect from their family as they grow: support, encouragement, quality time, and of course, plenty of hugs. The story and artwork follow two moms — including one who presents as masc, which is rarely represented in children’s literature — and their child through a day of riding bikes, visiting the zoo, having a cozy dinner, and bathtime, affirming that a simple day with family offers many blessings big and small… including hugs! It’s an uncomplicated tale of familial love with beautiful illustrations and a timeless sentiment, made extra valuable by its tender and earnest depiction of a queer family.
Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman, Illustrated by Jay Fleck
There’s only one thing that Tiny T. Rex is after — a comforting hug for his stegosaurus friend Pointy, who is feeling down in the dumps. Unfortunately, his tiny little arms make hugging not only a difficulty but a seeming impossibility. The grownups in his life offer only unhelpful advice, but his siblings just recommend practicing. Unfortunately, this leads to its own set of complications for Tiny. This boundlessly endearing tale of a little dinosaur with a very big heart offers colorful and minimalist illustrations and witty text that readers of all ages will love, and the incredibly touching ending is a total knockout.
Hug Machine by Scott Campbell
Sometimes, a person just knows what they were put on this earth to do, and for the child protagonist of this book, it’s never been a question: he is the Hug Machine. He is very good at hugging – the best, in fact — and everyone absolutely loves his hugs (although the comedically blank expressions on many of the boy’s targets suggest otherwise). He hugs everything, like mailboxes, park benches, and fire hydrants. He just loves to hug, and wants to share his talent — and love — with the world. Campbell’s hilarious illustrations carry this charming tale, but the story also offers a sincere message about trying to make the world better in whatever way you can (and hugs are an awfully good start).
I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey
Fans of Blabey’s popular Pig the Pug and The Bad Guys series are sure to love this clever little standalone that is filled with the author-illustrator’s trademark humor. A little porcupine is really in need of a warm, friendly hug, but every other animal that he approaches flees in fear of the creature’s plentiful quills. Porcupine has a solution: he can lay his quills flat so that his hug partner doesn’t get poked. Sadly, none of the animals stick around long enough for him to explain. Yet, there’s one potential friend who already knows what it’s like to be judged by appearances: a snake.
Don’t Hug Doug: (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison, Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman
We say everybody loves a hug, but it turns out that’s not always true. The titular Doug of this story enjoys many things, but hugs just aren’t one of them. He likes to give his mom a good night hug, but other than that, he prefers other ways to show friendship and affection. Don’t get him wrong: Doug likes YOU, he just doesn’t like hugs — and he’s not alone! As Doug asks a diverse group of children and adults about their preferences when it comes to physical touch, Finison’s story and Wiseman’s art do a fantastic job of teaching readers young and old that everyone is allowed to decide what kinds of touch feel comfortable to them and to have those decisions respected by everyone else.
We hope that you and your little huggers (or non-huggers like Doug) enjoy this list of comforting, cuddly, and caring stories. Remember: always ask for a hug before giving one! If a hug is what you need, each of these stories are sure to feel like a warm snuggle. Happy reading!
For more of our favorite children’s books, check out this article on 10 Enchanting Books About Snow.
To see all of our recommendations for mini bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
