Hugless Douglas

Hugless Douglas (Douglas)

4.11 of 5 stars 4.11  ·  rating details  ·  334 ratings  ·  94 reviews
David Melling is one of the leading children's author/illustrators today and this perfect match of humour and endearing artwork launches a new character with huge potential on the Hodder Picture book list. Douglas is a big brown, huggable, lovable bear, and he wakes up one morning in need of a hug. He goes to try and find one -- but none of them seem quite right. Join Doug...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published 2010 by Hodder Children's Books
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Mahera
Hugless Douglas by David Melling is a book about a lovable young bear that wakes up one morning in need of a hug. So Douglas goes out in search for the perfect one, but as he begins to hug things he realises none of them seem quite right. On his journey to find the perfect hug, Douglas hugs a huge rock, bushes, sheep, a rabbit, and by the end of the book, Douglas is taken to a big cave, and when he goes inside he sees his mum and hugs her.


David Melling is one of the leading children’s authors an...more
Shovelmonkey1
Aug 05, 2012 Shovelmonkey1 rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: kitty who is going to get this for her birthday next week
Recommended to Shovelmonkey1 by: waterstones
Before you all start panicking, I have not started spawning a tribe of miniature goodreaders - the earth will be safe from that calamity for a while yet. I bought this for my friend's little girl who is two next week. I phoned her up and said, "so how old is the kid, is she two or three because I can't remember?" The friend sighed a long sigh and said, "no she's only two, it just feels like she's been here for a lot longer!" And that, my friends, tells me all I need to know about child rearing.

I...more
Tina Roberts
Hugless Douglas, by David Melling, is a sweet story about a bear who wakes up one morning in need of a hug, so he goes out in search of one.
He knows that the best hugs are tall, wide, cosy and soft and he gets into some amusing situations hugging things that don’t quite match up to the one he’s searching for.

The text is simple and bold and perfectly pitched for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Key words are written in a style which reflects their meaning (for example, the words ‘quivered’ and ‘...more
Nathan
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Rosita
Douglas the bear just woke up from a deep dark cave. Douglas hugged all the sheeps, it was gently, but they kicked beside they didn't like it either. Douglas never likes to be alone. So, Hugless Douglas found an Owl, so Douglas wanted to climb the tree to hug the Owl, but Douglas was so big for the branch then the owl fell down. The Owl was so angry. Douglas went to hug a Big rock, but he notice that it was to heavy to carry. Douglas hugged a tall tree, but he went to get the tallest tree so he...more
Lisa Vegan
Jul 10, 2011 Lisa Vegan rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: young children, especially those who love bears, and hugs
Recommended to Lisa by: Kathryn
Okay, this is adorable. So cute! And sweet! And funny!

I loved in the details in the pictures including Douglas the bear’s own teddy bear, the rabbit’s many carrots and the picture of carrots hung up, and all the types of hugs at the end.

The story is very sweet and appropriate for the youngest child. It’s a story that begs to be read aloud; it’s really fun to read out loud to a listener/listeners. It’s quite amusing for the reader to follow Douglas looking for a hug and hugging some less than hug...more
Ann
Douglas wakes up after his hibernation and needs a hug. And you know, sometimes I think we all feel that way.

So, Douglas goes around trying to find a hug, and trying to think of the kinds of hugs he like. But, even though a rock might be big, it doesn't make the best "big hug." And even though a tree is tall, it doesn't give the best "tall hug."

Douglas' antics get more and more amusing (sheep, rabbits, owls, etc.) as he tries to find a hug.

Finally he get's a little help in finding the kind of hu...more
Kristi Bernard
Who doesn't love a really good hug? One morning Douglas the bear wakes up and decides he needs one. His first attempt is with a giant rock, then a very tall tree and a pile of trembling leaves. He finds that they don't hug him back.
He then attempts to hug sheep who kick and squirm and don't like it at all. Neither does owl or rabbit. You will have to read this wonderfully illustrated story to see where Douglas finally gets the best hug of all. And don't forget to check out the last pages to see...more
Jessie Jang
I thought this was good book and it showed different hugs. Also that the best hug is someone you really love and feel comfortable like your mom. It also is a good book to read to kids that feel that they do not like being hugged.

Learning Experience
I would use this book to teach that there are different kinds of hugs and that not all hugs are the same. Also that if you hugs can make you feel safe and warm. Also that the best hug you can get is form your family. The goal is that children know that...more
Kathryn
I think a lot of kids (and adults) will get a kick out of this story of the baby bear Douglas who wakes up and feels like he really needs a hug. (Gosh, I think we can all relate to that on some days!) But, he is still quite big and, well, a bear--so not really a creature a lot of critters will be eager to hug. He improvises but nothing is quite satisfactory until he finds the one creature who can give him the best hug of all. The illustrations are a hoot! I especially enjoyed the final two pages...more
Lissa
I thought this book was very well written and well thought out. I loved all the different items Douglas hugged, such as, a tree, rock, and a bush. All Douglas wanted was someone to give him some love, and his Mommy gives the best hugs. This book is about how Douglas wanted a hug, but he tried to hug things around him that he thought would be huggable, but realized that not everything hugs back.

Learning Experience:
After reading this book discuss nature that is all around, such as, trees, bushes...more
Sherry
What defines love and comfort for a child? How about a hug? Waking from slumber, Douglas, a very large and lovable brown bear, goes on a search for a hug. Not just any hug. The perfect hug.

Lumbering Douglas approaches other objects and animals in his quest for the perfect hug. “My best hugs are BIG” he thinks. So, he hugs a rock, but it’s too big and heavy. He thinks “TALL” and becomes a tree hugger, only to find himself feeling awkward, with splinters. “Comfy” should be a flock of sheep, but t...more
Thelma Walker
This would be a good book to teach children about different types of hugs. Children can learn about objects that don't hug back. Children can learn about different emotions that can be expressed when they don't get the response they think they should get. Children can also learn about directions such as up, down or left and right.

Extension: An activity that can be done after reading this book would be for the class to make up different types of hugs and then demonstrate them with each other.
Nick Molinet
Douglas is a bear that after waking up leaves his cave and is looking for a hug. After trying to hug different animals and objects looking for a hug but none of them seem right until he finally finds the perfect hug from...his mother.

LE:After the story you can have the children talk about who they like to hug and why and then have the draw a picture of the children hugging that special person and have them write a few words of love so they can give that paper to whoever they want.
Lacey Vertz
Douglas finally finds his hug. And of course it's from the best "person" ever! We checked this book out from the library but I'm now going to purchase our own copy. What an adorable book! After waking up from his hibernation, Douglas needs a hug. After hugging a variety of objects and animals and not quite finding the hug he was looking for, a rabbit leads him to where he can find the hug he wants. This book also has very cute and funny illustrations. Highly recommend this book!
Dolly
Nov 20, 2011 Dolly rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: parents reading with their children
Even though Douglas wakes up from a long winter's nap and needs a hug, this would be a perfect book to read for bedtime snuggles. It's very sweet and funny and the illustrations are great. We also read Don't Worry, Douglas! and really like this fun character. With both books, the last two pages have some funny illustrations that we thought were hilarious. We enjoyed reading this book together and we hope to see more books about this lovable bear!
Michelle Martin
A great book to teach children about different types of emotions. Also introduce children to opposites, comparison, and pretend play.


Learning Extension

Make a poster which shows different types of emotions that people can feel. Have group discussion with children about why do we like to hug from our family and how do they make us feel. Then have children draw pictures of people facial expression when they are feeling for each type of emotion.
Becky
Who doesn't love a title like Hugless Douglas? Douglas wakes up in need of a hug, but the various things he tries to hug (boulder, tree, bush, sheep) are all unsatisfying. I love the details like the sheep's floppy feet and the fact that Douglas's fur looks like it has colored sprinkles in it. Also, a post-story double-page spread of different kinds of hugs is beyond adorable. Grab this if you have any Valentine's Day storytimes coming up!
Risa
This story is a wonderful way to show children that there are many different kinds of hugs, but also a good way to learn that is also has to be ok with the receiver of the hug as well as the giver of the hug. The best kind of hug is one that is from someone that you know and love.

Extension:
The children can make up a play or a skit about this story. With stuffed animals from the toy and doll center, they can "play act" a situation where a racoon is having a lovely afternoon nap, when the bear acr...more
Daniella Velasquez
Hugless Douglas is a heartwarming book! It truly makes you want to read it again! Children will enjoy this book because it is very colorful. It also allows you to realize how many different types of hugs there are as well as when you are hugged by someone you love and loves you there is not a better feeling in the world.
Extension: have children demonstrate the types of hugs there are in the book.
Tricia
Douglas the bear needs a hug! He searches for one in all the wrong places until he finds the "best hug of all" in the tenderly sweet ending! Endearing illustrations of adorable Douglas the bear and his failed attempts to find comfort make the book stand out...great selection for preschool-early elem readaloud. Could be used as a discussion starter about feelings, family.
Jeannie Walker
I thought this book was a good way to teach children what an appropriate hug if and who it should come from. It also showed the importance of a parents love and a good display of friendship and concern by the rabbit. The display of hugs at the end of the story are a great teaching tool for children.

Learning extension: Child safety and whats appropriate.
Jessica Green
This was a great story about a bear waking up from his nap and looking for a hug. He looked all over and could not find the hug he was looking for. He finally found that hugs are best received by someone who loves you or that you love. You could ask the children to turn to their peer and give them a hug or you could ask them who they love to give them the best hugs.
Cassie
Douglas wakes up and needs a hug.

A very sweet story with plenty of funny images to bring giggles from the kiddos. They'll love watching this clumsy guy trying to hug a rock, a tree, and a flock of sheep. From his scruffy appearance when he wakes to the sheep stuck to his bum as he climbs a tree, it's hard not to agree that he's a funny, lovable guy.
Jane Meyer
A ridiculously cute book about a bear who needs a hug. The text is fine, leading you along the short story line, but the illustrations are fabulous, filled with humor and fun.

This is the type of book that a little one will want to read EVERY night before bed. And because it's so well done, I can think of many worse books to have on the shelf!
Tanajia
Great story....I loved the whole concept of the story and the illustrations were greatly done. The vocab was great for young children as well as providing new vocab for the children.



The learning experience: I would have all the children join me on the carpet to demonstrate the different hugs that are listed in the back of the book.
Linda
Hugless Douglas is a wonderful story about a sleepy bear who is searching for a hug upon waking up. He looks to many others in many places and finds many different kinds of hugs. But, in the end, he realizes the best hugs come from someone who loves him the most, his mommy.

Learning Extension: This book would be an good choice for preschooler's language and literacy and social emotional development. A activity might be to have the children hug each other and explain what makes each hug different.
Megan
Jun 29, 2011 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: preschool-1st graders
After a long hibernation, Douglas wakes up and needs a hug. He hugs a rock, but it's too hard. He hugs a tree but gets splinters. After several more mis-hugs, a kind rabbit leads Douglas to a cave where his mother just happens to be waking up from her hibernation, ready to give Douglas the best hug of all. Cute.
Mackenzie Harris
This book is super great to read with younger children, I read it with my preschoolers but you could read it with Kindergarten and first graders also. It is a wonderful naptime book and fun for mommas to read with their little ones also. It is a sweet story and the book is full of cute illustrations.
Libby
A baby bear awakens from hibernation and goes on a quest for a hug. Not just any old hug but a good warm, big satisfying one. He remains disappointed until **SPOILER ALERT** ;p he finds his mummy. Very sweet and engaging, God knows we all can all empathize with Hugless Douglas some days.
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