Mom Hugs

by Michael Joosten

This funny and adorable board book featuring photographs of mama animals hugging their babies is the perfect Mother's Day gift!

Open your arms to this funny and endearing photographic board book featuring a wide array of mama animals giving their adorable babies a cuddly embrace. With otters, polar bears, monkeys, kangaroos, and more, kids and parents alike will love discovering the amusing similarities between how humans and animals each hug the little ones they love. A perfect gift for Mother's Day . . . or any day.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime

26 pages, Board Book

Published December 26, 2017

About the author

Michael Joosten is a best-selling author and editor whose titles include My Two Moms & Me, My Two Dads & Me, Pride 1 2 3, and Lady Gaga: A Little Golden Book Biography. His work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Variety. His first book for adults, The Gay Icon's Guide to Life, will be published in spring 2024. He lives in New York City.

Find him on Instagram @michaeljoostenbooks to learn more about upcoming projects, appearances, and personal book recs.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mom Hugs is illustrated with internet stock photos rather than by an artist creating original images for this book, but author Michael Joosten brings heart to the project. You won't find a much sweeter celebration of mothers and their kids...at least, not in a book containing just thirty-nine words.

In the animal kingdom as well as human society, mothers and their children are inseparable. Bears, otters, and raccoons cuddle their youngsters, imparting a secure feeling. Elephants guide their calves with reassuring pressure from their trunk, and polar bears hunker in the snow to shield their cubs. Koalas, kangaroos, pandas, and more understand the relationship between mother and child can't be overstated. Get it right, and your young one will start on the proper track.

With his understated style, Michael Joosten was the right author for a board book like Mom Hugs. Gestures that demonstrate love transcend species, and a story highlighting that is a nice keepsake for babies and toddlers. For many of them, Mom Hugs will be a beloved book from their earliest childhood.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Board Book
Charming photos of animal moms hugging their babies.
Babies and toddlers will love the photos and simple text.

[Lorellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting enough collection of cute animal photos.

[Isabel Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sweet board book is all about the love between a mother and her baby. What better way to depict that than with real images of moms and babies embracing? The animals in this book are photographed in their natural habitats, which subtly serves an educational purpose for the intended audience. From koala bears to elephants, the variety of mommies and babies in Mom Hugs is sure to engage and excite babies and toddlers. The short and simple text perfectly complement each image. This would be a great reading option for a Mother's Day-themed storytime for a small group.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful, touching photos show that a mama's love--and hugs--are part of the animal world as much as our own.

[Cathie Stumpenhaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to my tiny grandson. Who wouldn’t like creatures of all sorts and a hug with every page?

[india books · Rating 5 out of 5]

ive been reading a lot of kids books since working in the lib. theyre super cute and i love the assortment of mom books they have!

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely adorable

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute pictures of animals hugging with 2-5 words per page.

For cute animal photos that are a little clearer I'd recommend 10 Little Kisses, my favorite of these board books that I'd read so far. It also has rhyming text, so it's fun to read.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Animal mothers give their offspring different kinds of hugs.