A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 238

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: Hug

Author & Illustrator: Jez Alborough

Summary: Bobo is glad to see hugging animal pairs until he realizes that his hug partner, Mommy, is nowhere to be seen. The other animals are empathic towards Bobo’s grief and want to help so an elephant carries little Bobo while they all search for his mother. The crowd of animals intersect a frantic Mommy, and the pair is reunited. All celebrate with more hugs. 

Hanna’s Comments: One collective strength of this picture book is the various animal facial expressions which are fun and humanlike. Another benefit is how well it’s told with only 3 different words (hug, Bobo, and Mommy) which makes it perfect for very young child, a beginning reader, or a group read aloud. Here’s an interesting question to consider with a group: Why don’t the animals hug Bobo until the end? This is the second PBT Dynamic Duo about hugs; both of which highlight the importance of loving affection across mammal species. Be sure to do some hugging after this story is read!

Updates! There are now 3 more books in this series. The characters are the same. All have 1 word titles, and the low vocabulary is still there. Some can be found in board book format. Here they are:

Yes is about Bobo learning about right and wrong behavior. It could be connected to biblical themes of loving others, anger, respect for parents, or gentleness. 

Tall could be easily connected to Zacchaeus in Luke 19.

Play is all about joy (know any scriptures about joy? There are many!) and getting lost. In this book, Bobo yells "Mommy!" when he has ventured too far. Hmm... I've certainly felt like I have strayed too far from God's ways. But then I remember, God is never absent from me. This is 1 of 3 messages Father Richard Rohr says young children most need to hear about God! Adults too!

Now back to Hug

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 2000

Age & Grade Appropriateness: Toddler and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Video on Youtube.com

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affection, anxiety/worry, babies/children, belonging, blessings, bonds/connections, brokenness, comfort, communication, dependence/interdependence, emotions/feelings, encouragement, family, found, golden rule, insecurity, lost, love, reassurance       

Scripture Connections: Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18); as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them (Luke 6:31); let all you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this story to a group of children in your religious community when talking about the various ways love is communicated and how God accepts all of those ways when the love is real and considerate of what the other needs.