What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Hug
Hugs can be tricky! But you can learn how to hug. Never hug anyone too tight—ouch! And don’t hug too many people at once—uh-oh! You can be a leg hugger or a bear hugger or a surprise hugger. If you don’t want a hug, it’s okay to say so. But if you learn how to give a hug and do it just right, you might get one back...so be ready! Jana Christy’s digital illustrations provide a charming twist to something everyone loves to do.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2011
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 9, 2018
Hug time
In this book is all about hugging and kissing. The idea is nice but as the author says hugs are not for everybody.
In this book is all about hugging and kissing. The idea is nice but as the author says hugs are not for everybody.
January 27, 2013
I was living in France when I wrote this book, and I couldn't help noticing how much French people kissed each other but seemed a little uncomfortable with hugs. Americans, on the other hand, were always hugging but kissing...not so much! So, I wondered, is it possible to figure out when to hug...and when not? That's how this book about boundaries came to be.
January 3, 2022
Diverse children hug animals in this "how-to" on hugging. I liked that it includes that not everyone wants to hug AND that it's okay to say no to a hug if you don't want one. One page I had an issue with was telling you not to hug if someone's too prickly, but the illustration is of a porcupine that looks friendly and eager to hug. It would have made more sense if it looked grumpy.
December 30, 2019
Good sensible hugging advice!
Picked up this book to read with my granddaughter. Loved the artwork! And the artwork really punctuated the story. It’s all about appropriate hugging. Great advice about the limits and benefits of hugging others. Good book for everyone to review and to think about before sharing that well-intended hug.
We learned that Body boundaries, attitudes, or personal space preference sometimes do not allow a hug. This book also covers guidance on how to read a person behavior before inflicting an energetic hug, etc. It is important to know how to refuse a hug too. It’s a fun book!
My granddaughter took this book very seriously. I am expecting she will come home from school one day and tell me why she did or did not hug a schoolmate. Cannot wait to hear that story.
If I were to add anything to this book it is “do not hug anyone who is coughing”. But that is just ME.
Picked up this book to read with my granddaughter. Loved the artwork! And the artwork really punctuated the story. It’s all about appropriate hugging. Great advice about the limits and benefits of hugging others. Good book for everyone to review and to think about before sharing that well-intended hug.
We learned that Body boundaries, attitudes, or personal space preference sometimes do not allow a hug. This book also covers guidance on how to read a person behavior before inflicting an energetic hug, etc. It is important to know how to refuse a hug too. It’s a fun book!
My granddaughter took this book very seriously. I am expecting she will come home from school one day and tell me why she did or did not hug a schoolmate. Cannot wait to hear that story.
If I were to add anything to this book it is “do not hug anyone who is coughing”. But that is just ME.
March 30, 2013
How to Hug by Maryann Macdonald illustrated by Jana Christy is an adorable picture book about hugs. There is advice on different types of hugs and hugging different types of people and creatures and super cute illustrations.
I handed this to my daughter who loved it (as did I) and everyone in the house got extra special hugs after reading the book. It's cute and easy to read.
I would recommend this book to readers 0-7 . It makes a super cute read aloud.
I handed this to my daughter who loved it (as did I) and everyone in the house got extra special hugs after reading the book. It's cute and easy to read.
I would recommend this book to readers 0-7 . It makes a super cute read aloud.
November 20, 2018
Hugs.
I enjoyed the book which I purchased to read to my Granddaughter. I ran into some technical difficulties. The book does not work on my kindle or iPad. My phone let me check it out, but I struggled enlarging the words. Perhaps you could get your tech team to research it. Thank you.
I enjoyed the book which I purchased to read to my Granddaughter. I ran into some technical difficulties. The book does not work on my kindle or iPad. My phone let me check it out, but I struggled enlarging the words. Perhaps you could get your tech team to research it. Thank you.
January 9, 2012
A variety of animals and children hug in different situations. A very sweet book for families to share, but may also be useful in teaching hug-etiquette for socially challenged youngsters. Advice like "don't hold on too long" and "it's ok to say no" is important for all huggers to know!
March 23, 2012
I picked this up because it looked cute. After the first reading, it was a favorite of Natalie's for about a month including days she demanded we read it multiple times. Fun pictures. Sweet topic. Plenty to talk about in the pictures from naming the animals to the emotions.
February 13, 2015
Happy hugging
Positive, upbeat, happy and fu
n to read. A lovely book for all ages young and old alike. Share it with someone you love. A cute gift for Valentine's day with no hidden romantic agenda. Would recommend to anyone.
Positive, upbeat, happy and fu
n to read. A lovely book for all ages young and old alike. Share it with someone you love. A cute gift for Valentine's day with no hidden romantic agenda. Would recommend to anyone.
March 21, 2011
I thought the illustrations on this story were really lovely, but the text was just okay for me hence my 4 star rating. Young children will enjoy all of the styles of hugs.
April 30, 2011
This is a very cute book. Children and adults, looking to avoid a 'hug' mistake, should enjoy it alike.
June 29, 2011
Very cute, simple story about hugs that made me laugh out loud a few times.
November 18, 2012
Cute book about how to hug--great if kids are struggling with the actual how to part. Possibly even a how-to book?
April 25, 2012
Anybody want a hug? Adorable story with terrific illustrations. This would make a great bedtime story.
January 11, 2014
Cute
my daughter and I both enjoyed this cute book, and is admittedly an over hugger...which is exactly why I borrowed it.
my daughter and I both enjoyed this cute book, and is admittedly an over hugger...which is exactly why I borrowed it.
February 10, 2014
An excellent book on social cues. Read with your kiddos if they are working to navigate social interaction.
October 14, 2014
Unique & sweet!
I love how it explains that some people don't like to be hugged, and if you don't, speak up! I love how it is funny, sweet, and informative.
I love how it explains that some people don't like to be hugged, and if you don't, speak up! I love how it is funny, sweet, and informative.
February 26, 2018
Cute book about giving hugs properly. Don't hold on too long. It's ok to say no. Special hugs like bear hugs and guess-who hugs.
August 13, 2018
World's cutest picture book!!
September 8, 2018
💜Nice, with beautiful illustrations, too!💕
Covers hugging situations in a positive, enlightening and very age appropriate way, including the right to turn down some hugs.
Covers hugging situations in a positive, enlightening and very age appropriate way, including the right to turn down some hugs.
September 14, 2018
Sweet book
Cute, sweet and silly at times. The book was also nicely illustrated. A Perfect read for kids right before bedtime.
Cute, sweet and silly at times. The book was also nicely illustrated. A Perfect read for kids right before bedtime.
November 17, 2018
Good nighttime story
This was a cute, short story with good pictures. A bit simple but a good before bed read that my 6 year old enjoyed.
This was a cute, short story with good pictures. A bit simple but a good before bed read that my 6 year old enjoyed.
April 2, 2019
Perfect for our How-to unit... warnings and comparisons.
March 23, 2020
great illustrations. so fun!! i love the cover ... fun read. i love hugs. i guess some do not?? do u?
February 8, 2020
A sweet book about how to hug. It shows the different ways to hug and tells you that not everyone wants a hug, that it's okay to say no if you don't want a hug, and that sometimes you gotta be patient if someone is angry and doesn't want a hug when you want to hug them. I think this is a nice book to teach children about hugging and when it is and isn't appropriate to hug.
The illustrations are really cute and have a nice color palette to them.
The illustrations are really cute and have a nice color palette to them.
October 2, 2017
Naomi read to me.
February 1, 2020
Short and sweet but some odd order of pages that made it feel like incomplete ideas.
June 2, 2021
Adorable and so fun to read aloud!
May 23, 2013
Okay but not exceptional...
I bought "How to Hug" to read to my twin grandchildren when they get a little older. I read over the book and thought it was rather blah.
The illustrations are better than the story, which I thought had some strange ideas about hugs. Never hug anyone when they are angry? Hmmm...what better time does someone need hugging? I did like that one section said it was alright to say no to a hug.
Some of the illustrations were cute but a bit off, too, showing children hugging an opossum and other wild animals. I guess I should have known - the cover has a child hugging an elephant.
Maybe I've been away from children's books too long but this one definitely wasn't a favorite of mine.
I bought "How to Hug" to read to my twin grandchildren when they get a little older. I read over the book and thought it was rather blah.
The illustrations are better than the story, which I thought had some strange ideas about hugs. Never hug anyone when they are angry? Hmmm...what better time does someone need hugging? I did like that one section said it was alright to say no to a hug.
Some of the illustrations were cute but a bit off, too, showing children hugging an opossum and other wild animals. I guess I should have known - the cover has a child hugging an elephant.
Maybe I've been away from children's books too long but this one definitely wasn't a favorite of mine.
March 25, 2011
I'm trying to figure out if this book was supposed to be completely light, or if there was some intended advice or words of wisdom to it. If the latter is the case, then I have a few issues. And being a lover of hugs, I'm not surprised that I do. If it is the former, then this is just a silly book to smile at. I think the illustrations are great, and definitely the best part.
P.S. Whether the former or the latter is true, I still feel bad for the porcupine. And the skunk. Reminds me of "I Wanna Hug."
P.S. Whether the former or the latter is true, I still feel bad for the porcupine. And the skunk. Reminds me of "I Wanna Hug."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews