Customer Reviews

Octopus Hug

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Super book to give dads and moms ways to be physically playful with their children! It could help make family life more light-hearted and fun for everyone!

I have read this book to many elementary school classes. They always enjoy it. Many of these students are from broken homes or have experienced violence from the male figure in their home. This demonstrates such a wonderful father having fun with his children. The kids enjoy dreaming of the fun games played with a great dad, just as this book illustrates.

This simple little picture book contains so much warmth, it's a wonder you don't start to sweat a little when you pick it up. "Octopus Hug" is a charming look at the games a father plays with his children when he's left in charge for the evening. The games are wonderfully active -- and interactive. The dad gets down on the floor with Becky and Jesse (the children in the book are actually named after two of Laurence Pringle's own children), pretends to be different animals and objects, and encourages the children to join in. The fun is still going on when the mom returns home, so she gets to experience the games, too.

The illustrations by Kate Salley Palmer put this adorable story over the top. I especially like the way the father is portrayed; he reminds me of a stainless, free-of-murderous-impulses OJ Simpson. His love for his children and his excitement at being able to entertain them are written all over his face.

I've had the pleasure of meeting author Laurence Pringle a couple of times, and this book is a pretty good representation of the man himself; gentle and fun-loving, with a slightly kooky sense of humor. Word has it that a sequel, possibly titled "Bear Hug," is in the works!

Too often, children's books focus on just the mothers or are absent of any adults at all (unless they are bears or elephants) In the book Octopus Hugs, the father is a gentle, caring man who actively plays with his children.

He invents games that are fun and engaging. My children have wanted to play Octopus Hugs, Put-A-Quarter-In and Animal Bridge for weeks. This book is an outstanding story as well as an activity book.

The pictures are very well done. It is without a doubt the most positive African-American father I have EVER seen in a children's book.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It is well worth your time and money.