If ever there was a book that could warm the coldest of hearts…this is it. Every once in a while, when putting out books at work, I come across a children’s book which makes me stop what I’m doing to read it…
Hugless Douglas is an adorable picture book about a bear called Douglas. He’s a big bear with an even bigger heart and wants to share his love. When he wakes up one day needing a hug (we all have days like that) he sets about finding the right person for the job and yet no one quite fits the bill. As I write this, I am reminded of the wonderful similarity to Goldilocks and the Three Bears and indeed, many nursery rhymes and fairy tales in which the story follows many twists and turns until we end up on the right path.
Douglas encounters big rocks, countless sheep, owls and rabbits but something just isn’t right. In the end, it’s the kindness from a little rabbit which leads Douglas to the best hugger of all…but who could it be?
I think the best part of this book is the hilarious and charming final page spread explaining all the different types of hugs there are…with the unwitting sheep acting as guinea pigs!
Hugless Douglas by David Melling is published by Hodder Children’s Books, £5.99 9780340950630
