While We Can't Hug

by Eoin McLaughlin, Polly Dunbar (Illustrator)

Overview

From the team behind the bestselling The Hug, a heart-warming picture book that shows us ways to be affectionate while social distancing.

Hedgehog and Tortoise were the best of friends.
They wanted to give each other a great, big hug.
But they weren't allowed to touch.

"Don't worry," said Owl. "There are lots of ways to show someone you love them."

So the two friends wave to each other, blow kisses, sing songs, dance around and write letters. And even though they can't hug and they can't touch, they both know that they are loved.

A gorgeous, uplifting, inspiring picture book that makes social distancing fun!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780571365586
Publisher:	Faber and Faber
Publication date:	08/18/2020
Series:	Hedgehog & Friends
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 5 Years

About the Author

Eoin McLaughlin was born in Ireland and now lives in Surrey with his partner and their young son. When he’s not hugging them, he’s writing more stories. The Hug was his debut picture book. He also wrote Secret Agent Elephant, illustrated by Ross Collins and The Case of the Missing Cake, illustrated by Marc Boutavant, and has many more picture books in the pipeline.

Polly Dunbar is one of the best-known illustrators working in the UK today. Polly's bestselling book, Penguin, won numerous awards including the BookTrust Early Year's Award, the Nestle Silver Children's Book Prize, the Red House Children's Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Polly was chosen as one of BookTrust's Ten Best Illustrators. Polly is the illustrator of Shoe Baby, Pat-a-Cake Baby and two picture books written by David Almond. Polly created Tilly and Friends, a series which is now animated on CBeebies. Polly lives in the Waveny Valley, Suffolk with her partner and their two boys.

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2020

K-Gr 2—What perfect timing for this topic, in an era in which hugging is rare (COVID-19) and conversations about respecting personal space and boundaries are gaining traction. In a sequel to The Hug, Hedgehog and Turtle, who are the best of friends, are separated by more than their quills and shell. For unstated reasons, they are not allowed to touch at this time. Wise Owl reassures them that there are many ways to show someone love and friendship. The friends experiment with different messages, beginning with a wave and a smile. They blow kisses, exchange funny faces and letters, and share art, dancing, and music. Ultimately, they both know that they are loved. Illustrations in ink and soft watercolors depict each character against creamy colored backgrounds, with a shade variance on each double-page spread to demarcate the separation. VERDICT The timeliness of this sweet, understated story cannot be overstated. Recommended.—Jessica Marie, Salem P.L., OR

School Library Journal

2020-06-30
The two creatures who fulfilled each other’s yearning for physical contact in The Hug (2019) find alternative ways to connect in a time of social distancing.

Blushing and smiling and looking every bit as sweet as they did in their original meet-cute, Hedgehog and Tortoise respond to Owl’s reassurance that “there are lots of ways to show someone you love them” by standing on opposing pages and sending signals, letters, dances, air kisses, and songs across the gutter. Demonstrating their mutual love and friendship, they regard each other fondly across the gap through sun and storm, finally gesturing air hugs beneath a rainbow of colors and stars. “They could not touch. / They could not hug. // But they both knew / that they were loved.” In line with the minimalist narrative and illustrations there is no mention of the enforced separation’s cause nor, aside from the titular conjunction, any hint of its possible duration. Still, its core affirmation is delivered in a simple, direct, unmistakable way, and if the thematic connection with the previous outing seems made to order for a marketing opportunity, it does address a widespread emotional need in young (and maybe not so young) audiences. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.8-by-19.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 78% of actual size.)

Precious—but timely and comforting all the same. (Picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews

"An important historical record of the time." — Times

"Precious - but timely and comforting all the same." — Kirkus

"This is a little treasure of a story that can be read for years to come. It's simple and simply beautiful." — Book Monsters

"The tender simplicity of While We Can't Hug pairs Eoin McLaughlin's text with Polly Dunbar's rosy-cheeked images." — Guardian

"A book that ought to carry a "tear-jerker" warning but one that is perfect for your little (and bigger ones) at home." — The Literacy Tree

"A most timely and poignant read... will strike a chord with readers of all ages." — Picture Books Blogger

"Cheerful, cute, kind, and thought-provoking." — Armadillo Magazine

"An uplifting and joyful read which demonstrates the power of words and pictures in providing reassurance and comfort in the strangest of times." — Book Lover Jo

From the Publisher