Hug - Jez Alborough

Kids, eh? You spend all this money on reading material for them and they get fixated on one book (this cant be just my child, can it?). For days you are endlessly requested to read this favourite until you can repeat it in your sleep, don’t even have to look at the words any more and would quite happily strangle the author. Any attempts to influence this choice or guide gently in the direction of other material is barely tolerated or treated with undisguised contempt. Luckily after a week of endless ‘Gruffalo mummy’, my daughter chose this book as her new favourite. Hug is the simple story of Bobo the chimpanzee who is walking through the jungle. As he walks ...  Read the complete review

This is a very interesting picture book by Jez Alborough. When I first read it with my daughter I have to say that I was a little disappointed because in the entire book there are actually only three different words. However, I have since come to realise that that doesn't stop it being a brilliant little book. Basically it is the story of a little chimp called Bobo who is wandering through the jungle seeing lots of different animals. All these animals are in pairs or more and therefore they each have a friend or a relation to hug! Bobo sees elephants, snakes, chameleons, lions, giraffes, hippos etc. They are always hugging. Every time he comes ...  Read the complete review

As anyone who has read any of my recent reviews will have noticed, I have a passion for books. I think one of the most important and worthwhile things a parent can do, is read to their children. In my opinion, it gives them an appreciation of the written word, encourages them to learn, and helps to develop the bond between parent and child. My latest reviews have been dedicated to children’s books, as I wanted to share some of my children’s favourites, and pass on recommendations to other parents.I know each child has different favourites, but my children seem to share my taste too. I buy lots of Walker Book publications, and HUG is one that I purchased ...  Read the complete review

Hug by Jez Alborough is a simple idea for a book but very effective. A baby monkey is lost in the jungle and all he wants is a cuddle, he sees lots of different animals in their family groups as he walks and they are all cuddling and snuggling together so he feels very alone. The only word used in the whole book is 'Hug' and the story is expertly told using the facial expression of the baby monkey along with the gestures and body language of the other animals. The drawings are super and the baby monkey in particular is rendered so that his face is full of expectation each time he sees a group of animals, only for it to turn to disappointment when he realises ...  Read the complete review

Hug is a lovely little board book for small children. The short story focuses on a little monkey who wanders through the jungle and sees all the other animals having a hug with each other. As he passes them by, he says the word HUG - this is one of only three words used in the whole book - the others being "Mummy" and "Bobo" - the little monkey and his Mummy. He gets sadder and sadder that he has no-one to hug him until his Mummy appears and gives him a great big hug. He then proceeds to give all the jungle animals a hug to celebrate and say thank you for helping him find his Mummy. This book is a favourite of my 13 month old ...  Read the complete review