"Modeling compassion for family and loved ones with hugs and patient listening, this is a perfect lesson for social emotional learning, with the generous message that sometimes managing frustration means reaching out to others for help." -School Library Journal "With the healing power of a hug and an act of kindness, little Hugga Loula diffuses all sorts of situations. Featuring colorful illustrations and charming refrain, Hugga Loula gives us an adorable hero offering care, comfort, and love to a world that desperately needs all three."—Midwest Book Review "A sweet, poignant read about the power of hugs to help us remember what really matters in life: each other. Our world needs more Hugga Loulas!"—Rochelle Groskreutz, children’s author "Combining charming and smile-inspiring artwork with a powerful and much-needed message about how we respond to life’s travails, Hugga Loula, by Nancy Dearborn, offers an antidote to the anger and impatience that sometimes characterize our lives. While the message of kindness and gentleness in the face of life’s stresses is one that Loula’s family certainly already knows, they—like all of us—benefit from Loula’s caring reminder. In a world that often tempts us to lose control and faith, Hugga Loula is the right lesson."—Rod Vick, author of Kaylee’s Choice and Wisconsin Teacher of the Year 2000 "I believe little children—every day—have the power to make big differences in their world. The main character in Nancy Dearborn’s picture book Hugga Loula demonstrates that power. The book employs an effective use of repetition to drive its message home. And the message is a good one: 'hug it out.'Simple. Powerful. With illustrations and a rhyming refrain that perfectly capture the mood of the book, Hugga Loula will appeal to young readers looking for a way to help make the world a better place. Because of this book, the world is a better place."-Michael Leannah, award-winning children's author "Hugga Loula is an adorably sweet book with a powerful message for little ones. The beautifully illustrated pages tell the story of Hugga Loula, a young girl who loves to support her family by reminding them to stay calm. She teaches young readers that often when we are frustrated, what we really want is a hug."—Heather Leah, author of Let's Make Yoga Magic "A timely story on how to take a moment and deal with stress as the main character, Hugga Loula, helps her family find calm (and lost items) by hugging it out. This book is a perfect conversation starter for young readers who may get frustrated easily themselves."—June Smalls, author of She Leads: The Elephant Matriarch "Hugga Loula is a charming look at the healing power of a hug, something we all need more of in this day and age. Sweet and endearing, the story is one that parents and kids alike will enjoy reading again and again . . . followed by a hug."—Linda Oatman High, author of books for children "As a K-3 teacher, I can’t stress enough the importance of age-appropriate children’s books that are vibrant, colorful, and meaningful. Nancy Dearborn and Huang Junyan hit all of these in their new book, Hugga Loula."—Jacqui Murray, author of prehistoric fiction and an Amazon Voice
03/01/2021
PreS-Gr 1—With a simple yet profound message from a bighearted young girl named Hugga Loula, readers will find a sweet model of empathetic comfort between loved ones in a deliberately repetitive format. Hugga Loula rushes around her house to aid her father, mother, and younger brother as they each struggle through their angst over a lost item. In each case, she offers a calming hug and rhyming mantra—"If you're grumpy or sad, frustrated or mad, just give a shout, and hug it out"—to ease their troubles, urging them to remember how something as warm as a hug can be the best solution. The digital illustrations are full of angles and washed textures, homey settings, and a bold palette for its animated characters. The larger-than-life facial expressions of the characters reveal easy-to-read expressions for preschoolers, who will love chiming in with Hugga Loula's jingle when she supports her family, and every member shows affectionate gratitude in return. VERDICT Modeling compassion for family and loved ones with hugs and patient listening, this is a perfect lesson for social emotional learning, with the generous message that sometimes managing frustration means reaching out to others for help.—Rachel Mulligan, Westampton, NJ
