BOOKTRUST REVIEW: A very simple story with lots of rhyme and silliness that's sure to get little ones shrieking and squealing (and wanting to give that cute pug a hug). Matthew Hodson – aka the popular and quirky poet/illustrator Matthew the Horse – really brings this picture book alive. It's drawn in comic-book style with giant speech bubbles, easy-to-read lettering, lighthearted pastels and the big, googly eyes of the somewhat puzzled pug. The twist to the tale (or should we say "tail") is icky and yucky enough to appeal to all tiny tots for whom toilet humour is just about the bestest thing in the whole wide world. YS BOOK REVIEW: The comic-like illustrations along with the dialogue bubbles give the book a fun feel. Though it is not a traditional easy reader, this is a good book for a new reader. There are very few words, most of which are very simple. I’d also recommend it to young kids who enjoy books with potty humor, or to kids who are looking for very easy graphic novels. THE AOI REVIEW: Don’t Hug The Pug is a story about a dad, toddler and pet dog, a pug, playing a happy rhyming game together. Written by Robin Jacobs, the story was illustrated by Matthew Hodson not long after the birth of his own baby boy, a happy coincidence that would directly inform his work, rendering his pictures so enjoyably observant and anecdotal. The book celebrates those moments before baby is up and about, when parent and baby spend time playing, as here, with the sounds that form words, seeing them afresh, inventing new associations and possibilities. In a less wacky, Dr Zeuss sort of way the game involving a jug, bug and rug, becoming a fun lesson about not hugging pugs – or so it would at first appear. Starting the book I did think that the story’s punchline was going to be delivered differently, more directly, so was delighted by the surprise ‘double dream’ ending. Don’t Hug The Pug is just the book for parents and kids to enjoy at an age when playing games is still an essential part of learning, where sitting on the rug with baby and pug (and bug…) is visibly the heart of the matter. LINDA'S BOOK BAG REVIEW: Don’t Hug the Pug is a perfect children’s book. The humour of the reason why we shouldn’t hug the pug will appeal to all, making this a really fun book to share with young children. What is so good about this book is the simplicity with which language is developed and extended through the -ug rhyme scheme so that children could emulate the story with other rhymes, building their vocabulary. This gradual collection of rhyming words helps both spelling and reading highly effectively. Smashing pastel illustrations help bring the story to life and each noun from the rhyme is repeated in the pictures so that children can match them as the book is shared, reinforcing spelling. I think Don’t Hug the Pug is brilliant. PICTUREBOOKS BLOGGER: There’s a very good reason as to why you #DontHugThePug You can hug the bug, and the rug and the jug, but don’t hug the pug! Find out why with this humorous tale from #robinJacobs and @matthewthehorse @cicadabooks @notthekind THE BOOK ACTIVIST: A simple, rhyming narrative combines with larger-than-life, quirky illustrations to celebrate the natural curiosity of babies and their desire to play with things they shouldn’t! A great book to read aloud, children will love joining in with ‘Don’t hug the pug!’ and be highly amused by the rather smelly outcome! Grown-ups will recognise the persistence of the little chap as he tries to hug the pug and is told no over and over – without success. Pugs do have a reputation for being a bit smelly but perhaps on this occasion it’s a little undeserved! Great fun. IT'S NICE THAT REVIEW: Matthew the Horse illustrates the sweetest story of a child desperate to hug a pug. Matthew Hodson, known to us and most illustration fans as Matthew the Horse, has illustrated the sweetest new children’s book: Don’t Hug The Pug. In Matthew’s signature wide-eyed and textured style this “short, silly story” by Robin Jacobs is one with such high levels of cute that it warmed our hearts, leaving us desperate to know why this pug cannot be hugged. PARENTS IN TOUCH REVIEW: A sweet story with an unexpected twist at the end, delightfully illustrated by Matthew Hodson. PAUL ET PAULA: What’s wrong with the pug….? A hilarious and deceptively simple story that will have little ones shrieking with laughter. KIRKUS REVIEWS: The premise and outline of this story works as a repetitive pattern rhyme perfect for new readers. Thin-lined cartoon drawings in muted hues depict a bearded father and a diapered baby (both white) on a rather messy floor in this British import; the text is contained entirely in speech balloons. Dog lovers may rejoice to note the pug is not the culprit, and early readers will gain a clearer understanding of the building of a sound pattern. Endpapers feature line drawings of "-ug" words, including some not in the text, such as a mug and a plug. A smelly situation contrived to create an easily legible text for budding readers.
