Hugs on the Wind

by Marsha Diane Arnold, Vernise Elaine Pelzel, Elsa Warnick (Illustrator)

A lyrical, luminous picture book about missing a loved one.

Little Cottontail misses his grandfather and the hugs, smiles, and jokes they shared. As he plays in the meadow, he thinks of ways that the wind, stars, stream, and trees can help him send hugs, kisses, and other messages to his grandfather. The text is careful to leave open the question of whether grandfather is deceased or just living far away, making the book meaningful to any small child who misses a loved one.

Like Goodnight Moon and The Snowy Day, Hugs on the Wind celebrates a child's special connection to the world around him, and the power of nature to comfort.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Called a “born storyteller” by the media, Marsha Diane Arnold is a picture book author of 21 books, with over one million books sold. Her books have garnered honors from Best First Book to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Smithsonian Notable and won state book awards. Her more recent books include Houghton Mifflin’s WAITING FOR SNOW, illustrated by Renata Liwska, and Roaring Brook Press’ LOST. FOUND., a Junior Library Guild selection which received three starred reviews and was illustrated by Caldecott winner Matthew Cordell. MAY I COME IN?, a book about inclusion and kindness, has just been released from Sleeping Bear Press and four new books are coming, including a bilingual book from Lee & Low, GALÁPAGOS GIRL.

Marsha enjoys sharing her love of story through school visits, manuscript consultations, her Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books e-course, and especially by reading to her three grandchildren.

Growing up on the Kansas prairies, Marsha lived in Northern California for most of her life. Now she lives with her husband in southwest Florida, near the Caloosahatchee River and her daughter’s family, only a short flight from her son’s family in NYC. Besides creating stories, her favorite activities are scuba diving and snorkeling, hiking, traveling, gardening, and climbing trees.

You may learn more about Marsha, her books, and her world, at www.marshadianearnold.com.

Reviews

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a young one is missing a loved one, this is a great book to read to them.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is PERFECT to read with/to a child who misses a loved one! This was such a beautiful book: words and illustrations! I loved all the ideas a child could do to show their loved ones they miss them. The illustrations were very well done with pastel colors to go with the delicate text. Great book!

[Alfajirikali · Rating 1 out of 5]

The artwork was nice, if not plain, and the storyline was lacking.

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another library book my girls chose to read.