The Very Best Hug

A delightfully silly celebration of familial love.

Searching for "the BEST hug," a child experiences alliterative animalian snuggles, including a "kangaroo kiss," a "cobra clinch," and a "hedgehog huggle," in this picture book search for a just-right embrace. Depicted in turn via Brown's loosely drawn domestic vignettes, different critters smother and smooch a pale-skinned protagonist during an apparent bedtime routine for an effect both tender and comic. "Nightingales love to nestle" amid the child's unruly curls, a "skunk squeeze" sees the creature's black tail tickling the child's nose, and a rhino "wrestle" unfolds like a pillow fight. "You might not be quite ready to rumble in this rambunctious rough and tumble," Prasadam-Halls observes in rhyming narration before launching into further suggestions that lead to the child carried to bed by a "meerkat mosh." But while the monkeying around amuses, it's a squeeze that emphasizes the value of family that fits "completely right," making for an eminently huggable ending. Ages up to 5. (Jan.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

With nearly endless variations, Prasadam-Halls has made hugging into a zoo of opportunity for passing the love around.

The roly-poly pair are delightfully expressive and adorable, and the sentiments expressed are those caregivers appreciate and celebrate in their children. —Kirkus Reviews, on YOU MAKE ME HAPPY

The last lines, echoing the premise of the whole book, will be reassuring to most. . . . Sweet. —Kirkus Reviews, on I'LL NEVER LET YOU GO

Another sweet book bearing a message of unconditional love and support. . . . The gender-neutral animal pairs could easily represent a number of close relationships, from parent and child to grandparent and grandchild to an older and younger sibling. . . . A perfect choice for one-on-one sharing and a comforting bedtime story. —School Library Journal, on I'LL NEVER LET YOU GO

Prasadam-Halls's rhymed couplets have a pleasing lilt. . . . The gender-neutral, cross-species portrait of affection gives the book the potential for broad appeal—the animals' relationship could easily be between a single or adoptive parent and his or her child, or also between two close friends. —Publishers Weekly, on I LOVE YOU NIGHT AND DAY

Brown's soft, full-spread artwork nicely matches Prasadam-Halls's brief rhyming verse. . . . This gentle, reassuring story is a calming tale just right for family or group sharing. —School Library Journal, on I LOVE YOU NIGHT AND DAY

Tender and comic . . . eminently huggable. —Publishers Weekly