The Giant Hug (Paperback)

by Sandra Horning (Author), Valeri Gorbachev (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2 - When Owen the pig decides to send a hug to his grandmother, a mere drawing of one just won't do. At the post office, he gives the clerk Granny's address along with an affectionate embrace. That hug is passed from postal employee to pilot to driver to mail deliverer as it travels cross-country, inadvertently bringing cheer and a little extra caring into the workers' lives. In the satisfying ending, Granny sends a kiss back to Owen by bussing her mail carrier. As readers follow the hug's progress, they learn about the path a letter takes and the individuals involved in getting it from sender to receiver. The pen-and-watercolor illustrations are filled with warm colors. The expressions on the characters' faces put one in mind of Richard Scarry's artwork, although the animals here are much larger. While some of the more subtle reactions and embarrassment evinced by the huggers may pass right over children's heads, the reactions of the recipients will delight them. Pair this slightly wordy tale with Don Carter's Send It! (Millbrook, 2003) and Gail Gibbons's The Post Office Book (HarperCollins, 1982) for sprightly glimpses into the mail and how it moves. - Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. Even if you take Woody Guthrie's "Mail Myself to You" literally, it's difficult to express the depth and breadth of affection through postal-service channels. But Owen, a young pig, is determined to send his grandmother "a GIANT hug" for her birthday. So he hugs the postal clerk and offers these instructions: "Please make the hug just as giant when you pass it on to the mailman." So begins a transcontinental hug relay. Gorbachev's cast of animal characters, drawn with a Richard Scarry-like sense of whimsy, are well chosen to emphasize the relevant personality traits, with the jolly bear airplane captain giving a hearty embrace, and the porcupine truck driver doing the job with prickly reluctance. In a world increasingly reliant on cyber communication, this story may rapidly lose its relevance. For the time being, though, it's ideal for revving up kids' enthusiasm for post-office field trips--and postal workers certainly deserve the good press. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dragonfly Books (September 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553112627
• ISBN-13: 978-0553112627
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #569,686 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Bunch, January 18, 2005

By	Lisa W (Calabasas, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Giant Hug (Library Binding)

I went to an independent children's bookstore in L.A. and asked for ten, good, newly published picture books. This was my favorite and I bought it. The story really resonated with me, the illustrations are wonderful, and it demonstrates the magic of children's books - something that a child would wish to do (send a hug to his grandma through the mail) and would never happen in the "real" world but happens beautifully in the story! Lovely.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE POWER OF A HUG, January 21, 2005

By	P. Lairdieson (Newtown Square, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Giant Hug (Library Binding)

My family loved this book! It reminds you how much a simple hug can brighten your day. It's a wonderful read to start or end your day with. And it inspires extra hugs from my son. The perfect book for anyone who's far away from a child they love and, of course, your friendly mailman.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars " Written Expecially For Malachi", January 12, 2007

By	Mia Weaver - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Giant Hug (Library Binding)

I purchased "The Giant Hug" as a Christmas gift for my Special Need
Grandson, Malachi. I read the story to him on Christmas Evening. My grandson has some limitations, but he has an exceptional mind. As I read The Giant Hug to him, I showed him the beautiful illustrations relating to the character being spoken of. As each page was turned, his eyes grew bigger,and he became more anxious. And as the story ended he looked at me and smiled, as if to say "I would have done the same thing". The ending was so awesome, a mixture suspense,and imagination, with a flair of possibility. It was a joy to reread it. Kudos to Sandra Horning on this one,and I will be looking closely for more of her writings. This book is a great tool for any mother teaching her child about dreams comming true.
Thank You, Mia Weaver