Let's Go, Hugo!

by Angela Dominguez

Hugo is a dapper little bird who adores the Eiffel Tower -- or at least his view of it from down here. Hugo, you see, has never left the ground. So when he meets another bird, the determined Lulu, who invites him to fly with her to the top of the tower, Hugo stalls, persuading Lulu to see, on foot, every inch of the park in which he lives instead. Will a nighttime flying lesson from Bernard the Owl, some sweet and sensible encouragement from Lulu, and some extra pluck from Hugo himself finally give this bird the courage he needs to spread his wings and fly?

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Friendship, Childrens, Animals, France, Fiction

Hardcover

First published March 7, 2013

About the author

Angela Dominguez was born in Mexico City and grew up in the great state of Texas. She now resides on the east coast with her boyfriend, Kyle, and their petite dog, Petunia.

She is also the author and illustrator of several books for children and a two-time recipient of Pura Belpré Illustration Honor. Her debut middle grade novel, Stella Díaz Has Something To Say, was a New York Public Library and a Chicago Public Library pick for Best Books for Kids, Sid Fleischman Award winner, and an ALA Notable. She recently illustrated Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s newest picture book, Just Help! How to Build a Better World. When Angela is not in her studio or visiting schools, she teaches at the Academy of Art University, which honored her with their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013.

Angela is a proud member of SCBWI, PEN America, and represented by Wernick and Pratt Literary Agency. As a child, she loved reading books and making a mess creating pictures. She’s delighted to still be doing both.

Reviews

[Barb Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Great story about relying on your friends to help overcome your challenges, & helping friends in need.

[XOX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugo is a little afraid of flying.

A friend help Hugo to overcome his fear.

Reading this for Day 6 book task.

Book: Read any fiction/non-fiction about tolerance or a book that’s outside your normal comfort zone. (Tolerance can encompass anything you generally struggle with, be it sentient or not.) OR Read a book set in Paris.

4.5 stars

[Regina L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugo is a renaissance bird. Dressed in his best Parisian scarf, he explores the best things the City of Light has to offer. He dabbles in its music, the arts, dances in the street, watches the ballet, plays cards at the park. He longs to visit the Eiffel Tower, and flying is the best way to get there, but Hugo prefers to stay on the ground where he feels safe on his own two feet, so he can only enjoy the view from afar. When Hugo makes a new bird friend, Lulu, who is looking for company to explore the city from above, she is incessant, “Let’s Go, Hugo!” she says. He uses every excuse he can think of to distract her with activities down below so he will not have to admit to her the truth – he is afraid of flying! She returns to her nest that night, and Hugo, afraid of losing his new friend more than he is of heights, practices overnight, so by morning when Lulu returns he doesn’t have to let her down. Will the two friends fly off into the sunset towards the Eiffel Tower together?

This is a great story about finding courage and overcoming fears, and getting by with a little help from friends. Hugo is a joyful, multi-talented, bird about town. His character is really sophisticated, which is so refreshing to see in a children’s book. The illustrations are drawn in a beautiful palate of yellow, greens and browns. The images of Paris as the backdrop to the story is truly lovely and makes me long to take Dolly to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Read more at www.diapers-and-daydreams.com

[Shay Fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books, especially beautiful picture books. Maybe it's because I tend to be very retrospective, and all of those oldies but goodies (Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle) always make me so happy because they were such a big part of my childhood. Let's Go Hugo, is definitely one of those books I want to introduce to the kids I know and love in my life and I'm sure years from now they'll be reading it to their kids!

The illustrations are adorable and beautiful, but the main reason this book is special is the message. It teaches children (and let's face, it adults too) about overcoming your fears and being open to letting the people around you help you unlock your potential.

Not only would this be a great book for kids, but also someone just graduating and finding their place in the world. Highly recommend!

[Haworth Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hugo is different from other birds. Instead of flying he walks, he lives in a burrough, and instead of making nests he likes to make works of art. When another little bird named Lulu notices Hugo making the Eiffel tower, Lulu suggests that they fly to the Eiffel Tower!!

Hugo thinks that would be a great idea, but he suggests they do other things around the park before seeing the famous structure. Kids will soon realize that maybe Hugo is delaying their flight to the Eiffel Tower for a reason since afterall he does prefer to walk.

A very cute story with beautifully illustrated images of Paris, France. I can't wait to read it out loud for storytime!

This is a great book for pre-schoolers!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

See what can happen when you forget to be afraid…

Hugo is a bit different from other birds, he prefers to walk than fly. Actually, it is not so much a preference as it is a fear of flying. He spends his days in a lovely park in Paris until that fateful moment when Lulu, a little bird, flew by and noticed Hugo’s artwork.

It looks just like the Eiffel tower and Lulu wants to show him from the air. That would mean flying and Hugo is too afraid and like any wise bird, he has quite a few excuses.

Lulu is not to be put off, so with the help of a trusty friend Hugo is about to find his wings and all the things that he has been missing.

A simple straightforward story with charming illustrations that are not too busy for your young reader.

[Inma]

Another great picture book with a strong message and adorable illustrations. Set in Paris, Hugo is a lovely little bird who rather walks instead of flying-truth be told because he is afraid of flying. Until he meets Lulu, who is determined to fly over Paris with him, will Hugo finally learn to fly? Hugo uses every excuse he can think off to avoid flying but with the help of Bernard the Owl, Lulu's encouragement, and his own courage Hugo faces his fear and learns to fly. I love the watercolor illustrations and the nostalgic feeling they evoke, but the main reason this book is special is because of its message. This book teaches children to overcome their fears and to being open to those around them for help facing life's challenges

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these pictures! Hugo is a Parisian bird who is content to stay on the ground until Lulu convinces him that the Eiffel Tower is best seen from the sky. Hugo is afraid to fly, so he avoids the flight to the Eiffel Tower until he can no longer avoid his fear. Owl teaches him to fly, telling Hugo that he was once afraid of the dark. Everyone has fears, but life is better enjoyed when it can be fully lived. So Hugo and Lulu take flight the next day to see the Eiffel Tower. It's a great message for kids who are learning lots of new skills and sometimes feel afraid or unsure of themselves. Good companion to "Pearl's New Skates".

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo is a bird who knows his limitations and he is comfortable with them. He enjoys life on the ground and finds happiness all around him; until one day he meets a friend who wants show Hugo the wonderful view from the Eiffel Tower. Embarrassed that he has never flown, he worries he will lose this new friendship so he practices going outside his comfort zone. A sweet story of working to overcome your fears to experience more in life, something a recluse like me can find inspiration in for sure :).

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Hugo was a little bit different."

Hugo prefers walking to flying, living on the ground rather than in the trees, and creating art, rather than nests. One day, when he creates a model of the Eiffel Tower, Hugo's friends, Lulu, invites him to fly with her to see the real Eiffel Tower. But, for some reason, Hugo keeps putting the journey off. Hugo finally confesses to Owl that he is afraid to fly. But with the courage to ask for help and the grit to keep practicing through the ups and downs, Hugo is able to fly with his friend.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's Go, Hugo! is a unique take on challenging your fears, and not allowing them to determine what you do. This adorable title is about a little French bird, who is perfectly content to walk, he doesn't feel the need to fly. That is until he meets a new friend and realizes he doesn't fly because he is afraid. The story moves forward as Hugo finds the courage to face his fear and enjoy the sights.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great kids book that encourages kids to try new things because you never know what kind of fun you might be missing. Set in Paris, Hugo, an adorable yellow bird, is quite content to keep is feet on the ground. One day Lulu comes into his life & tells him she could show him the Eiffel Tower but he would have to fly there. Hugo either needs to find the courage to fly or live his life without seeing the Eiffel Tower! Which will he pick?

[Cemeread]

What a cheerful looking chap Hugo is, but he is afraid to fly. After a day of finding excuses not to fly to the Eiffel Tower with his new friend Lulu Hugo thinks he may never see the tower or his friend again. A kind owl helps Hugo practice flying and all ends well when Lulu returns the next day.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find that I enjoy Angela Dominguez's illustrations more than the stories she tells. This was a sweet story about a bird learning to overcome his fear of flying with the help of a friend, but I expected more of a role reversal at the end.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about learning to go beyond your comfort zone. Hugo is a friendly bird that loves his life the way it is. Then he makes a new friend that pushes him to be more. Bright illustrations and fun text. Reviewer 12

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end papers do a wonderful job of capturing Hugo's exuberance and gentle nature. The story itself is one of friendship and fear, offering a great example of how fear can convince us that we are "choosing" a way of life even while it limits us.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our favorite part of this is the setting...Paris. Hugo is a bird, but he can't fly. When he meets Lulu, he is afraid to tell her that he doesn't know how to fly, but finally he has to tell her...and she helps him get the courage to try.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will have to get this one for our school collection. Lovely illustrations. A new setting. And again only much more successful than the other books I read this visit ... try new things! Find a friend to help you get out of your comfort zone.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know a picture book is good when my boys ask to read it repeatedly. They liked Hugo's journey, and they loved how the Eiffel Tower was in most illustrations--it was a reference point and a goal for Hugo and for them as readers, too.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hugo is a bird who won't fly and he is happy until the day he makes a new friend. She wants to fly over Paris and show him the Eiffel Tower. It takes a bit of work but Hugo eventually starts to fly and realizes what he has been missing. Great story about friendship and determination.

[Zoraida Rivera Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo is such a resourceful character. He makes the best with what he has, but is capable of going beyond when he really wants to do something. Did he change too fast? I'll let the reader decide because it's a book worth reading. Let's go read!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations, but the story felt a bit cliched.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that the arts are promoted in this picture book about overcoming fears, and the illustrations are sensational.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little bird overcomes fear of flying with a little help from friends.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about being unique as well as confronting fears, even or especially if they are embarrassing. The end papers are great, too.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, rich palette. Charming story of overcoming anxiety with the help of others.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite children's book of 2013 so far!!!
Wonderful story of overcoming fears and having a great friend to stand by you while you grow!

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the pictures. A super cute story about a bird that overcomes his fears with the help of his friends.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes a big adventure is just a few scary steps away!

[pati · Rating 5 out of 5]

très fabuleux! This is a wonderful book about Hugo the bird learning to fly as well as making new friendships...and it's set in France!