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How to Hug a Pufferfish
A picture book about a group of underwater friends who learn to ask for permission before showing their prickly, pufferfish pal some love.
So, you want to hug a pufferfish...
Who could blame you? That friendly, gap-toothed grin is hard to resist! Only, when Pufferfish is hugged or touched unexpectedly by their friends, things can get a little…spiky.
It’s not that Pufferfish doesn’t ever want hugs—it’s just that they need to have a say in when and how they’re hugged. Luckily, they have great friends who are willing to listen and learn the best ways to show Pufferfish some love and respect their personal space.
With bright, commercial art and unique exploration of a timely topic, Ellie Peterson's How to Hug a Pufferfish provides a straightforward and humorous look at consent and body autonomy for kids.
So, you want to hug a pufferfish...
Who could blame you? That friendly, gap-toothed grin is hard to resist! Only, when Pufferfish is hugged or touched unexpectedly by their friends, things can get a little…spiky.
It’s not that Pufferfish doesn’t ever want hugs—it’s just that they need to have a say in when and how they’re hugged. Luckily, they have great friends who are willing to listen and learn the best ways to show Pufferfish some love and respect their personal space.
With bright, commercial art and unique exploration of a timely topic, Ellie Peterson's How to Hug a Pufferfish provides a straightforward and humorous look at consent and body autonomy for kids.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published April 12, 2022
3 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
October 31, 2021
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
This is a sweet children's picture book focusing on teaching about asking permission, body autonomy and consent in an easily understandable way. The bright colours and eye-catching pictures will keep children interested and engaged with the story.
Definitely recommend for small children who are just starting to learn about these topics!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
This is a sweet children's picture book focusing on teaching about asking permission, body autonomy and consent in an easily understandable way. The bright colours and eye-catching pictures will keep children interested and engaged with the story.
Definitely recommend for small children who are just starting to learn about these topics!
December 30, 2023
This is an excellent book for teaching consent. Wait. Wait! This is a children's book and children do like reading it. One of the "lessons" though is respecting other people and how they want to be treated, hugged, not hugged - as they wish. I love it!
January 1, 2023
I don't think we can ever have enough picture books that teach about consent in age-relevant & age-appropriate ways. This one is simple, clear, & cute. And who doesn't love a pufferfish?! It would make a great jumping off point for kids to discuss things that would make them feel more comfortable when approached for a hug & a discussion about not all kids liking hugs. Asking first is always a best practice to get into from a young age. Though I didn't like it as much as Can I Give You a Squish?, it would make a good paired text set along with More Than Fluff.
November 2, 2022
How to Hug a Pufferfish is a great lesson in remembering that not everyone shows affection the same way. The story looks at asking people before hugging them and learning how people liked to be shown love instead of assuming what they might like. How to Hug a Pufferfish is a great reminder that not everyone loves physical touch, and that is okay! How to Hug a Pufferfish is a new favorite!
January 12, 2024
1.) “Even if you love hugs, Pufferfish might prefer something different”
2.) “Pufferfish might show you a different way to say I love you”
My cat has already taught me these things. However, these quotes are a great reminder. I will have mom and dad read this to me again. It pairs well with my bath time toys!
2.) “Pufferfish might show you a different way to say I love you”
My cat has already taught me these things. However, these quotes are a great reminder. I will have mom and dad read this to me again. It pairs well with my bath time toys!
March 7, 2023
I enjoyed the message of this picture book. Sometimes we just need a little space, don't sneak up on pufferfish (or people), be gentle, and ask if pufferfish wants a hug. This is so valuable when talking to children about personal space.
March 21, 2024
This immediately made me think of kids on the autism spectrum and the tendency for them not to like hugs. It would be an excellent book for siblings wondering why their brother or sister won’t hug them.
May 17, 2022
Great focus on body autonomy and consent. I normally wouldn't ask for a book to be more explicit in its messaging, but I do think that this book could have benefitted from a very quick afterword or something near the end making it clear that this isn't only about pufferfish. After all, there are a number of people who might not want a hug, even if they don't have a perceptively negative reaction.
It's still a very cute book that delivers its message well and without a heavy hand. With guidance from someone who will take the lesson a step further, it would be a great resource for home or classroom use.
It's still a very cute book that delivers its message well and without a heavy hand. With guidance from someone who will take the lesson a step further, it would be a great resource for home or classroom use.
October 2, 2023
Absolutely adorable book. My son loved it.
January 20, 2024
Absolutely loved this book! It’s about consent and finding someone else’s love language
February 22, 2024
great lesson
Teaching consent at all ages is necessary. Thank you for this book. And the little one enjoyed the cute story and pictures.
Teaching consent at all ages is necessary. Thank you for this book. And the little one enjoyed the cute story and pictures.
February 8, 2024
LOVE. THIS. BOOK. Such a fun fun fun book!! I only read this to my preschool and kinder students and they have so much fun with it.
Love explaining what a pufferfish is to little ones and how they work. Also, enjoy hearing the kiddos explain their methods on how to hug a pufferfish🤣.
The artwork in this is just amazing. So colorful and cute and fun.
Can't go wrong with this picture book. I'm sure my older ones will enjoy too (probably up to 3rd grade).
Love explaining what a pufferfish is to little ones and how they work. Also, enjoy hearing the kiddos explain their methods on how to hug a pufferfish🤣.
The artwork in this is just amazing. So colorful and cute and fun.
Can't go wrong with this picture book. I'm sure my older ones will enjoy too (probably up to 3rd grade).
January 18, 2022
How to Hug a Pufferfish is a hilarious and gentle story about what happens when hugs are given without consent. Told through vibrant, digital illustrations of sea life, we see Pufferfish from two different aspects of life. First, there is the cute, gentle, and almost (almost!) cuddly Pufferfish. And then there is Pufferfish who is constantly on alert from sea life who makes too much noise, wants to give him hugs and tickles without permission. All it takes is one question, and then the sea life will know what is ok with Pufferfish and what is not.
What I love about How to Hug a Pufferfish is that a very real and serious topic is told through a familiar and gleeful point of view. Children will understand this story’s message without it being told to them in a didactic way.
What I love about How to Hug a Pufferfish is that a very real and serious topic is told through a familiar and gleeful point of view. Children will understand this story’s message without it being told to them in a didactic way.
January 15, 2022
The colors and characters in HOW TO HUG A PUFFERFISH will hook young readers from page one. This fun and fresh take on honoring boundaries and personal preferences will help kids (and adults in need of a gentle reminder) understand that we all express ourselves in different ways. You want to hug a pufferfish? Cool. Ask Puff if they want one. If they say no, show them how much you care by honoring their choice. If they say yes, hug them in a way that feels good for them! They may not like to be startled, or have to deal with loud noises, or be tickled with all eight of your octopus arms. Favorite illustrations: when Puff goes into full puff mode! So fun!
January 12, 2022
HOW TO HUG A PUFFERFISH will be your new favorite book about consent for the classroom or home storytime. Funny and sweet, with vibrant and eye-catching under-the-sea illustrations. What I love most about this story is the explanation that hugging the pufferfish might be okay, but there is a certain way the pufferfish wants to be hugged: gently, with no pokes or tickles. After reading this story, you'll probably want to hug a pufferfish, too--and you'll know how to ask a pufferfish (or anyone) if that's okay first.
April 16, 2022
THOSE BIG OL' BUBBLE EYES!
This underwater exploration of consent and boundaries is at turns hilarious and heartfelt. Ellie Peterson's witty text puts a fun twist on the traditional how-to guide, while her clear, vibrant illustrations are sure to catch the attention of even the youngest readers. Some truly satisfying page turns will surprise and delight at story time. Perfect for the child discovering new ways to articulate space and boundary needs, or the child with an interest in the ocean and sea creatures.
This underwater exploration of consent and boundaries is at turns hilarious and heartfelt. Ellie Peterson's witty text puts a fun twist on the traditional how-to guide, while her clear, vibrant illustrations are sure to catch the attention of even the youngest readers. Some truly satisfying page turns will surprise and delight at story time. Perfect for the child discovering new ways to articulate space and boundary needs, or the child with an interest in the ocean and sea creatures.
April 30, 2022
How To Hug A Pufferfish is a playful book about boundaries, consent, respect, and pufferfish. I love all the distinct fish characters and the kid-friendly underwater world where the characters practice loving one another in ways other than hugs. Plus the book has a touch of humor and what must be the cutest pufferfish in all of children's literature. A wonderful book for starting conversations on any of the above.
May 8, 2022
It's totally understandable you would want to hug a pufferfish...and who could blame you? (I mean, really...look at those eyes!) Still, there are some things to consider in this adorably humorous book by @ellie_pete, where some underwater friends learn to ask for permission before showing their pufferfish pal affection. It's a funny, warm and empathy-driven take on issues of body autonomy and consent without being at all preachy
July 20, 2022
This was a cute book that was more about manners and consent than about ocean animals. The other ocean animals would like to hug pufferfish to show they care, but obviously there are adverse effects when pufferfish is startled isn't in the mood for a hug. I like that it poses the possibility that pufferfish both may want and not want hugs, and there are great ideas on how to show you care in various other ways, too.
August 15, 2023
TO HUG A PUFFERFISH by Ellie Peterson is a cute, fun, and colorfully illustrated story to teach your preschooler about body autonomy and consent. When people are stressed, sometimes they just need to be alone. Not everyone likes to hug. You should ask first and there are different ways like high fives that you can show someone you love them.
Thank you Ellie Peterson, Roaring Brook Press and @mackidsbooks for the #gifted book.
Thank you Ellie Peterson, Roaring Brook Press and @mackidsbooks for the #gifted book.
January 30, 2022
What a fun book with wonderful illustrations. Ellie cleverly writes about giving – or not giving – hugs. My favorite spread was “Pufferfish might show you a different way to say I love you.” The accompanying illustration was magnificent. Kids will definitely enjoy this book and under its important message about asking permission and having consent.
March 28, 2022
Cutest pufferfish ever! This sweet story about giving a hug under just the right set of circumstances is a simple way to begin talking about consent. There are plenty of giggles packed in here, too, and a super satisfying ending (a new sea creature to hug that's hilariously perfect!). A bright and beautiful picture book.
July 25, 2022
Pufferfish looks so squishy to hug, but it's best to ask Pufferfish first before giving a squeeze because . . .FWOOMP . . . ouch, a friend might get hurt. This book shows how important consent is in a playful and humorous way using sea creatures. The sparse text and bold illustrations made this an enjoyable read aloud with my 4yo.
November 19, 2023
How to Hug a Pufferfish is the perfect combo of sweet but funny. It carries a message about personal boundaries without sounding preachy at all, as Pufferfish's problem is center stage. It's got great re-readability and kids will also have fun noticing Pufferfish's behind-the-scenes project going on via the illustrations. I want to hug this book!
April 21, 2022
Very funny book about consent, with great illustrations.
There are many reasons to want to hug a pufferfish, but hugging must be done carefully, and don't forget to ask Pufferfish if a hug is okay first!
There are many reasons to want to hug a pufferfish, but hugging must be done carefully, and don't forget to ask Pufferfish if a hug is okay first!
May 26, 2022
How To Hug a Pufferfish is a great book to jumpstart a conversation about personal boundaries and consent. Playful tone and charismatic characters will make you want to reread it! Beautiful illustrations!
December 13, 2022
I LOVED this book! It's so darn cute and even though these are sea animals, the book teaches you to ask for consent if you want to hug someone and if they don't like hugs there are other ways to 'hug' and to say I love you. Awesome book! I loved it so much. Highly recommend.
January 8, 2022
This was such a fun book to read! Perfect for read-aloud story times! The bright colorful illustrations pair with the text perfectly. This is a must for your classroom or library!
March 26, 2022
So wonderfully cute and silly. Would be good paired with Don’t Hug Doug!
May 2, 2022
A great intro to body autonomy and consent. Plus, it's a Pufferfish!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews