The Big Hug

by Megan Walker (Author)

The Big Hug
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Two inseparable best friends are pulled apart and forced inside by troubling world events. Through boundless creativity and enduring love, they learn that distance doesn't put an end to friendship, and that there are lots of ways to give a hug.

On opposite sides of a quiet street lived two friends. From morning to evening, they played. ''You two are stuck together like glue!'' their parents and teachers laughed. So it was a shock when, one day, they had to stop and go inside. Between them now was only space. Suddenly, outside was scary and felt very large. Their parents were full of whispers and frowns and the worry inside felt heavy. Where can you put friendship when friends are apart?

Slowly, they learned. They found that, across the street and through windows, they could give each other a hug. They discovered that a smile is a hug. A wave is a hug. And funny faces, a phone call, a song. They discovered that when you're apart a friendship doesn't leave. With time and effort it will grow and grow, until it is big, bigger than all fears. Inspired by real-world events,

The Big Hug is a story of love's resilience.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Publishers Weekly

Two noodle-limbed, dot-eyed Black children, one wearing a red striped shirt and jeans, and one sporting a yellow dress, are inseparable buddies living "on opposite sides of a quiet street." But "when, one day, they had to stop and go inside," the friends must cope with sudden separation, feeling "as if their friendship had slipped out the window, into the quiet." As the unnamed crisis continues outside, the duo discovers that many non-hug activities ("pictures in windows/ and puppet shows") can convey the same emotions that hugs do. Author-illustrator Walker employs a warm paneled comics style, with thick linework and a rainbow-colored palette. Though contextualizing these events is left to adult readers, this is a hopeful read for contemporary youth, with a perennial message of love surviving distance. Ages 3-7. (Apr.)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"The bold cartoon illustrations in this picture book use thick black lines, expressive faces, and selective variations in white space, grayscale, bright color, and framing techniques to depict the roller coaster of feelings the children experience, from joy to isolation and back again. The simplicity of the story and its lack of specific detail (face coverings are not pictured, and the reason for the isolation is not named) make it emotionally resonant now and likely to remain relevant for years to come."—Rhonda Leet "Kirkus Reviews"
Megan Walker
Megan Walker was born and raised a Birmingham, UK, where she still lives and work today. Her love of drawing and stories began at a young age; scribbling away on any paper she could get ahold of, and devouring as many books as possible. She graduated from the University of Gloucestershire in 2014 with a degree in Illustration. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and was selected as the Featured Illustrator for June 2017.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781576879795
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Pow! Kids Books
Publication date
April 20, 2021
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV015020 - Juvenile Fiction | Health & Daily Living | Diseases, Illnesses & Injuries
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Picture books
Hugging

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