Customer Reviews

Hug Time

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't like cats, and I don't write reviews. But I love this book so much, I've come out of my shell. I had searched far and wide for a special "very first" book to give to my baby - one that I could inscribe "with love from Mommy" inside. It's hard to find a childrens' book with a warmhearted message that is not written with corniness and excessive cheese. I didn't hold much hope that this one would be any different, but OH MAN! By the time I got to the end, my eyes were a little misty! Not corny, not cheesy, the message is simple yet very touching. My older daughter was standing next to me in the bookstore with her finger in her nose, nagging me to take her to the Outer Space books, and I crouched down next to her and gave her a big hug!

I'm proud to be an early reviewer of HUG TIME, Patrick McDonnell's third children's book and his first to be written in rhyme. Our hero, Jules (better known as Shtinky Puddin') is a tiny kitten with a heart as big as the earth he so loves. Dressed in his little green sweater, with his "To Do" list in hand (or paw), he travels the world with the singular mission of giving it a hug. With gorgeous colored pictures of creatures great and small, the author/illustrator teaches how one sensitive soul can make a difference.

To be honest, I think McDonnell's comics series "Mutts" is cute enough, but it never really charmed me. This little volume, however, is the cat's meow. I love the simple style, drawings which could be described as sparse, except they are warmed with a lot of color, and the sweetness of the kitten's mission: to give the world a hug.

An adorable kitten wants to hug the world because he's filled with so much love. A wonderful message about the gift of a hug. The artwork is so cute and the theme is so precious. This book would be great for any child. I also recently purchased another book with a positive message of family unity and love, Ladybug Baby Bug, by Janice and Mark Perkins. 20% of the books profits are donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, a member of America's Second Harvest.

I just love Mutts. It clicks with me on many levels and I am sure it resonates with many people. I bought two copies of this book to give away for Christmas and actually will only part with one.... to a really good friend. I want to thank Patrick McDonnell for his artwork and inspiration. He is wonderful.
Everyone should own at least ONE Mutts volume, and this is a good place to start.

I am an avid lover of children's books and have been a collector for over ten years. In terms of my favorite children's books, this book is definitely in my top ten. Hug Time is such a gentle, sweet story. My one and a half-year old son is too young to understand the book's message, but he is very responsive to its lovely rhythym and its rhyme (as am I). This book beautifully conveys a simple, sweet message that is simultaneously child-like, spiritual, and wise. This is the rare children's book that will have appeal for both children and adults alike.

I bought this book online and am so glad for it. I love the theme of the story - which is about spreading love and kindness. It was a pleasant surprise to see that the little kitten goes all around the world. Great way to introduce foreign locations and animals to your little one. I was thrilled to see themes environment consciousness and inclusiveness blended in with such simplicity. It's a book that I hope my baby girl will take to heart. The one thing I would like to see is a board book version - with the same illustrations! That would make it perfect for an infant!!

This book has such a good message, everybody needs love. I have given this many times as a gift for newborn babies and the children grow up absolutely loving this book. Even the older siblings love to hear the story as well. My nephew loves the book so much, he suggests "hug time" with his mom and dad every morning. 5 stars, no doubt!

This is simply the best children's book I've ever read. The sweet, loving message about caring for all beings on earth is one I just could not have relayed so beautifully myself. It's always the book I pick when it's Mama's turn to choose the story!

Today in the sunny afternoon I sneaked out of work looking for the Farmer's Market (which is no longer, this season, it seems) and serendipitously enter the Los Angeles Central Library, which has a distinctive, lovely book shop, filled with gems like a cake pan in the shape of a peace sign (peace of cake), enormous flowery pens-great gift for a classroom teacher, fun books, literary journals, ice cube trays in odd shapes, silver hand crafted earrings, you get the idea. Browsing around, amused by what I see but slightly troubled that at this moment, there are no upcoming birthdays or events I need to get gifts for, I catch a glimpse of this sweet book, Hug Time. I realize, as I peek into the adorable pages, that indeed, I do have an event to buy for: my son's first month in kindergarten! This is the perfect book for such an occasion: when you feel so filled up with pride, so lucky in this world on this day to have a precious, gentle, beautiful being, to know and be blessed by the presence of a child in your life. This is the book I want to give my son, which hopefully he will keep, reminding him of the sweetness and wonder of childhood.