Huggy the Python Hugs Too Hard

Wee Beasties

by Ame Dyckman, Alex G. Griffiths (Illustrations)

Help little ones learn how to give a BIG gentle hug with this first story in the brand-new Wee Beasties series from New York Times bestselling author Ame Dyckman.

Huggy the Python loves to hug. The only problem is, he hugs WAY too hard.

WAIT! Can you show Huggy how to give a gentle hug?

Wee Beasties is a new board book series from New York Times bestselling author, Ame Dyckman, featuring silly animals doing the things they love just a little TOO much. In this first book about Huggy the Python and all the things he loves, little ones will learn how to give a big gentle hug.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

22 pages, Board Book

First published May 29, 2018

Reviews

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Today’s review is of two board books from the Wee Beasties series: Huggy The Python Hugs Too Hard and Roary The Lion Roars Too Loud, both written by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Alex G. Griffiths.

Aiming to help little ones learn basic social skills, both books introduce adorable characters with lessons to learn. For instance, Huggy the python loves to hug the things he loves, but he finds that when he hugs things too tight (such as a balloon or an ice cream sundae), he can break or hurt them. Similarly, Roary the lion loves to let loose his big roar, more often than not startling his family members. In both cases, the reader is employed to help teach the character how to calmly interact, gently hugging a puppy and quietly wishing a baby “night-night.” And once the reader sets such a wonderful example, the characters learn how to gently and responsibly show their excitement.

We LOVED these! The lessons were well-imparted, necessary, and used the interactive elements in both fun and educational ways. The characters and illustrations were absolutely charming, and the friendly conversational text made reading them aloud a joy. The lengths were perfect, and JJ had an absolute blast with them, especially the interactive pages and the art. Even the clever twist at the end of Roary was perfect. I hope to see more of this series very soon, because these two are emphatically Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: Copies of these books were provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huggy hugs too hard. This does a very nice job of graphically showing a kid what the consequences are and then involving the kid in giving a gentle hug. However, I think I'd only pull this out if the kid has the specific issue being discussed.

[Robin Rockman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Storytime book for all ages

[Sarah Daniluk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a hugger, but I'd hug this guy.

[Dax · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sweet book was made even sweeter by having an adult story time in the backroom. Don't just read it...read it with some friends!!

[ambyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, my partner feels compelled to periodically read me this book as a cautionary tale.

[storymamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ame Dyckman does it again with her newest board book series Wee Beasties. We were so excited to get book mail yesterday for the book’s book birthday after preordering in October of last year. It was worth the wait! Huggy the Python Hugs Too Hard is a wonderful book to help young kids understand how to be gentle with things and people. Huggy loves to hug so much that often his hugs are too much and things break, like a balloon, ice cream and the possibility of squishing a little dog. Immediately after reading I used Huggy as an example of how to hug our 3 month old little guy! The illustrations by Alex Griffiths were so cute we wanted to give Huggy huge hugs! The pictures also started some wonderful conversations about noticing emotions with Huggy’s big smiles and frowns. We can’t wait to read more Wee Beasties books. Roary the Lion Roars Too Loud is already out, which we are sure is just as cute, and we are hoping this great duo has more in the works!

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the funniest board book I've ever had the pleasure of reading. My older kids found it in their little sister's room and doubled over laughing as they read it. Then, they showed it to my husband to make sure he could get a good laugh too.

So why is it so funny? Well, it's about a python named Huggy that hugs the things he loves. Huggy hugs a balloon until it pops. He hugs a bowl of ice cream until it squishes everywhere. Then Huggy sees a fuzzy puppy.

Juuuust when you're starting to get nervous about Huggy squeezing the living daylights out of the unsuspecting puppy, the book calls a time-out and asks the reader to show Huggy how to give a gentle hug.

Not only will this little book tickle your funny bone, but it teaches kids good manners and a valuable lesson about how to treat animals (and other soft things like babies).

Source: Thank you to Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this WEE BEASTIES series for toddlers. It playfully addresses those things they are still working so hard to develop, like touching things with the appropriate amount of force. In this one, Huggy the Python struggles with hugging to hard. When he loves something he gets a little carried away and ends up with a popped balloon and an ice cream explosion. At the end, the toddler reader is encouraged to help Huggy the Python. This addition of just a little dash of reader interaction pushed this over the top for me. This is a book that kids will adore and you may have to say "be gentle!" just a few less times as a result.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely light-hearted board book that tells the story of a python who just can’t seem to hug things without squeezing them far too hard. Huggy tries to hug a balloon with an explosive result. The mess is even larger when he shows how much he loves cake. When a puppy enters the story though, it’s time for young readers to demonstrate a very gentle hug in the hopes that Huggy will be able to imitate them. Dyckman is an author who always gets her tone for young readers just right and this is no exception. Expect lots of toddler giggles with this one! One of those special board books that has a real story arc, this one is funny and filled with love. Appropriate for ages 1-2.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute series that introduces an animal with a common toddler problem, one the toddler can help the animal solve and hopefully modify her/his own behavior in the process. Huggy doesn't know is own strength, and is frequently to rough with things. When Huggy decides he's going to hug his little dog, children are invited to demonstrate a gentle embrace, and Huggy hugs just right. I had mixed feelings about the end pages, because although being gentle with animals is one of the best lessons a child can learn, toddlers may be inspired to hug dogs they meet, and not all dogs like being hugged.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huggy the Python breaks the things he loves the most, because he hugs too hard. Balloons, ice cream . . . he also loves fuzzy little dogs. Wait, Huggy will need your help to show him how nicely and soft you can hug the dog.

Oh my goodness, the facial expressions on Huggy are the best! I can't stop handing this to people (even adults) to get their reactions. This is so cute, and so much fun.

Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book to help teach children to be gentle.

** Talking Points - What types of things do we need to be gentle with? Should we be gentle with everyone? Are their times not to be gentle? If so when?

** Essential Oil Diffuser Blend - Trying to teach children to be gentle? Try diffusing some Lavender essential oil. Lavender has been known for centuries for is calming and gentling benefits.

[briz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book. Good values ("stop grabbing my face so hard") packaged in a thrilling crescendo of Huggy - an affectionate python snake - squeezing and destroying various loved objects in his pursuit to "BE GENTLE". Will Huggy "BE GENTLE" with his beloved little dog, who has committed no crimes and is clearly not strong enough to withstand the python's powerful grip? We end on a cliffhanger. Recommended.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss 4 thought this was funny. (also she has hugged a balloon too hard recently!)

Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This board book could work for a Toddler storytime on snuggles. I like that it lets kids practice being gentle. Poor little huggy's face when he pops the balloon and squishes the icecream is so adorably sad.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought of that Tiny Toon character Elmira when I read this book. Unlike Elmira, Huggy figures it out how to give a good squeeze, just right. Funny and amusing choice of animal for the main character.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this board book! I love this author!

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A board book shows how to hug just right, gentle....

[Miss Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: See the title.

Review: It's cute. I do know a toddler who has body control issues, and this might be good for her. She could relate to it, and have fun at the same time.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A snake loves to hug but does it so hard he hurts things. Can he learn to be gentle? Toddler and up

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book with wonderful illustrations and a good lesson about being gentle. I need this as I learn not to grab my cats too hard!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huggy the Python loves to hug, but he hugs the things he loves too hard! The reader is asked to show Huggy how to hug gently.
Cute story in bright illustrations in this board book.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable!

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remember not to hug too hard. Especially cute little puppies!

[Lucy&Molly1000Books]

behavior

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learning how to hug gently is tough for a python.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

We laughed SO HARD at this book.

[kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adore