How Many Hugs

Reviewed by: Terri Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: May 3, 2018

Review

This endearing picture books explores the question of how many hugs? Children will enjoy this adventure through nature exploring various types of multi-legged creature and their hugging ability using rhyming text and a touch of math. If humans can provide a loving hug with two legs or two arms, what about a centipede with 300 legs? Or an Jellyfish with 29 arms or an octopus with 8 arms? The creatures are presented in a playful manner utilizing a gentle palette of blues, creams and pinks. There are little hearts to find throughout the story showing up unexpectedly in places like the horseshoe crabs face to the tail of a shrimp. Back matter provides fun facts on the featured creatures providing more in-depth information. At times it seems like there may be a little too much going on such as when the creatures leg count is high and division gets more complicated. But overall, the concept is sound and the story is able to to be both whimsical and educational at the same time. A great story for a classroom teacher.

Overall Book Score: very good