While We Can't Hug (Hedgehog & Friends)

🦔 ‘For all the children who can’t hug the ones they love.’ ❤️ From the duo who brought us Hug , I also love this short story from Eoin McLaughlin, which is simply to the point, covering current feelings about showing we can love & care without physically touching, come rain or shine. The pastel illustrations from Polly Dunbar are also seemingly simple, but so spot on, especially the facial expressions that convey the emotion of the moment. IMO, the storyline is applicable to anyone, any time, across any distance. ooOoo ~ AUTHOR: EOIN MCLAUGHLIN ~ ILLUSTRATOR: POLLY DUNBAR ~ PUBLISHER: FABER & FABER ~ JUNE 2020 From the back cover: 🦔 ‘Hedgehog and Tortoise are the best of friends. But they’re not allowed to hug. Luckily, there are lots of other ways to show someone you love them…’ ❤️ ooOoo Measuring around 24.75 cm square, the pastel coloured card cover is shiny for the title and the two main characters, i.e. Hedgehog on one side of the rainbow on the front cover and Tortoise, the other side of the rainbow, on the back. Inside are 32 matte finish pages, of which the story spans 28, with a simple sentence or two on each double page spread. On the left-hand page each time is Hedgehog, with Tortoise on the right-hand page. At first, they are both a bit despondent, but then Owl comes along to show them the way forward! A commendable paragraph from the publisher on the very last page just ahead of the credits: 📚 ‘Faber has published children’s books since 1929. T. S. Eliot’s ‘Old Possum of Practical Cats’ and Ted Hughes’ ~ ‘The Iron Man’ were amongst the first. Our catalogue at the time said that ‘it is by reading such books that children learn the difference between the shoddy and the genuine.’ We still believe in the power of reading to transform children’s lives. All our books are chosen with the express intention of growing a love of reading, a thirst for knowledge and to cultivate empathy. We pride ourselves on responsible editing. Last but not least, we believe in kind and inclusive books in which all children feel represented and important.’ And…the book is ‘Printed in the UK’. [9 images attached © Eoin McLaughlin, Polly Dunbar & Faber & Faber/2020]

I took this into my school to read to our children. It is a beautiful story, with gorgeous illustrations. The children loved the book. The staff said it was very emotional to read the book it the current COVID situation. Lots of staff have gone on to buy book for family and friends, just to let them know that they are thought of, missed but loved.

A lovely story which reflects the current times. I bought 2 copies, one for a treasured grandchild whom we can not currently visit. The second one is to read to primary school where I work. It has been enjoy in both places and has prompted discussions which help all the children to cope with missing family and friends.

A beautiful little book that is perfect for this year ! Explains simply for children how, despite the fact that we can’t cuddle at the moment, we can still do things to still show that we love each other. I’ve got it for my grandchildren in the UK but also for my grandchildren in Australia, we can’t hug but we can, talk, smile, write letters, paint pictures etc . Love it .

Simply illustrated book, short story good length for toddlers and preschool children. Explains well what else children can do while socially distancing.

Really lovely book to help children understand how to feel connected to others with out the physical cuddle. Helpful for practitioners working with children and for families who can't hug during these times of the covid pandemic and social distancing. Offers other ways to feel and show affection

Beautifully illustrated book Uncomplicated lovely short story with clear message of the importance connecting with loved ones during these difficult times Story to read to little one and little people can practice their reading skills

Fab story for children to help them think of ways to show love during lockdown. Used in school and created great discussions about emotions and missing people. Created lovely cards to send to people we loved as well.

È molto carina la metafora del riccio e della tartaruga per rappresentare gli uomini. Linguaggio semplicissimo, adatto per bambini piccoli, anche da 1 anno in poi.

This book is perfect for modelling covid-appropriate methods of showing affection for preschoolers. It’s a good book to use during the first few days of school reopening. The length of the story is perfect and the illustrations are so cute! All in all, an apt book.

Ein sehr liebevoll gestaltetes Buch mit schönen Bildern und Texten

Muito lindo o livro

This us an easy way to show the kids that in these rough times, how to show affection while "we can't hug". Simple, amazing and beautiful way to describe other options.