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One Hug: Celebrating Love and Togetherness in a Multigenerational Family Tale
Debut author Katrina Moore and illustrator Julia Woolf have created a cozy rhyming picture book that follows a Chinese American family as they celebrate the arrival of their immigrant relatives and showcases the many sweet ways of expressing love.
Soft and strong, warm and snug,
what’s your favorite way to hug?
Mom will SQUEEZE you like a bear;
Dad will WHOOSH you through the air!
Those we love from far away
have come to share a meal today.
But someone shy is off alone.
Can you help her feel at home?
Told in sweet, joyful rhymes and bright, colorful illustrations, One Hug celebrates the many ways we embrace our loved ones. As a Chinese American family wakes up to begin preparing for the arrival of their immigrant family, the littlest girl begins to feel left out and nervous. But an encouraging brother and the welcoming arms of her grandma help end the day with a belly full of food, jars full of fireflies, and cozy, snuggly slumber.
Soft and strong, warm and snug,
what’s your favorite way to hug?
Mom will SQUEEZE you like a bear;
Dad will WHOOSH you through the air!
Those we love from far away
have come to share a meal today.
But someone shy is off alone.
Can you help her feel at home?
Told in sweet, joyful rhymes and bright, colorful illustrations, One Hug celebrates the many ways we embrace our loved ones. As a Chinese American family wakes up to begin preparing for the arrival of their immigrant family, the littlest girl begins to feel left out and nervous. But an encouraging brother and the welcoming arms of her grandma help end the day with a belly full of food, jars full of fireflies, and cozy, snuggly slumber.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published December 10, 2019
About the author
Katrina Moore
30 books22 followersKatrina Moore is an author and former elementary educator. She holds a M.A. in Teaching and taught for thirteen years in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. She writes in Georgia, where her mission is to create books that children will hug for ages. When she is not writing, she is cooking without a recipe, painting outside the lines, adventuring, or snuggling up with her two kids, husband, pups, and of course, a cozy book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 18, 2020
This book really tries to stretch the definition of a hug
March 16, 2020
What an adorable book, featuring a Chinese American family who loves to snuggle. With rhyming text, we see all the ways they choose to hug one another, including with their extended family. The final page is of them snuggled up in bed -- the perfect story to read before bedtime. The artist used ArtPrint printers ink by Seawhite of Brighton and Photoshop to create the digital illustrations for this book.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
April 16, 2020
I loved the heartwarming message and bright illustrations of this book. In today's world, family hugs are so needed more than ever. As far as extended family, "Some hugs wait for years and years" really brought out all the emotions for me.
May 3, 2020
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
ONE HUG is a lovely picture book celebrating familial love. The rhyming text talks about the many types of hugs, including gentle hugs, ones that sweep you off your feet, and ones that turn frowns to smiles. The underlying story of the book is about relatives arriving from far away (immigrating according to the description) after many years, and the family happily reuniting.
What I loved: The illustrations here are really lovely and covey so much. It was great to see people of color (Chinese Americans) depicted in the book. There is a lot of love throughout with family connecting and enjoying each other's company. This book includes not only the immediate family unit, but also the extended family with plenty of cousins to play with and grandmother to help teach how to make dumplings.
The rhyming text is fun to read and listen to, and will definitely appeal to young readers. The font is large and clear, making it easy to read. There are relatively few words on each page, making the book move quickly and keep young children engaged. There are also lots of details in the images that add some extra fun, like the family dog that plays alongside the children, an airplane out the window, and catching fireflies gently.
Final verdict: ONE HUG is a lovely celebration of familial love. The rhyming text, beautiful and detailed illustrations, and messages of love will make this a win for children and their parents alike.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
ONE HUG is a lovely picture book celebrating familial love. The rhyming text talks about the many types of hugs, including gentle hugs, ones that sweep you off your feet, and ones that turn frowns to smiles. The underlying story of the book is about relatives arriving from far away (immigrating according to the description) after many years, and the family happily reuniting.
What I loved: The illustrations here are really lovely and covey so much. It was great to see people of color (Chinese Americans) depicted in the book. There is a lot of love throughout with family connecting and enjoying each other's company. This book includes not only the immediate family unit, but also the extended family with plenty of cousins to play with and grandmother to help teach how to make dumplings.
The rhyming text is fun to read and listen to, and will definitely appeal to young readers. The font is large and clear, making it easy to read. There are relatively few words on each page, making the book move quickly and keep young children engaged. There are also lots of details in the images that add some extra fun, like the family dog that plays alongside the children, an airplane out the window, and catching fireflies gently.
Final verdict: ONE HUG is a lovely celebration of familial love. The rhyming text, beautiful and detailed illustrations, and messages of love will make this a win for children and their parents alike.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
May 21, 2020
One Hug is a rhyming text that carries the reader through a day filled with joy - and, yes, lots of hugs!
Moore does not settle for a simple romp through a young child's day. Instead she presents the reader with a beautiful story of a family reunion that elicits all kinds of hugs - from a big bear hug to a simple cozy-up-next-to-me hug. Oh yes, and the 'hug' that only a puppy can give!
By choosing to depict such a variety of reasons that we humans choose to embrace, Moore has given the reader a story with more depth than might be expected with a one line per page rhyming text.
The seamless rhyme and the bold illustrations brighten the page and allow the reader to linger and 'read' the story that Wolff has created of the intergenerational family reunion.
I truly enjoyed the moment that shows the mother and grandmother in a great big hug. The emotion of that reunion just bursts off the page! But there are so many pages to love in this sweet book.
A lovely addition to your young child's library - and a perfect gift for a new family.
Moore does not settle for a simple romp through a young child's day. Instead she presents the reader with a beautiful story of a family reunion that elicits all kinds of hugs - from a big bear hug to a simple cozy-up-next-to-me hug. Oh yes, and the 'hug' that only a puppy can give!
By choosing to depict such a variety of reasons that we humans choose to embrace, Moore has given the reader a story with more depth than might be expected with a one line per page rhyming text.
The seamless rhyme and the bold illustrations brighten the page and allow the reader to linger and 'read' the story that Wolff has created of the intergenerational family reunion.
I truly enjoyed the moment that shows the mother and grandmother in a great big hug. The emotion of that reunion just bursts off the page! But there are so many pages to love in this sweet book.
A lovely addition to your young child's library - and a perfect gift for a new family.
January 18, 2024
Hugs are a way to show affection in many cultures around the world. The family in the story prepares for a visit from family members that they have obviously not seen in a long time. While the rhyming text focuses on hugs and feelings associated with them—the illustrations are telling their own parallel story as we watch the family eat, play, and prepare for bed. There are lots of opportunities to ask about what is happening on the pages and involve young readers. I think that many children and adults alike understand, particularly now, the longing for hugs and seeing family and those that we care about after a long time. The depiction of an intergenerational family spending time together is beautiful and really makes this a book worth reading.
Read
December 14, 2019It only takes one. One shy glance, one delectable taste, one resonating note, one gentle touch or one sweet smell to effect a change. We never know how a simple act, freely given, can alter someone's life.
In those sensory moments, short or long, small or large, we are joined with another being. It is a force for good. One Hug (Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, December 10, 2019) written by Katrina Moore with illustrations by Julia Woolf explores a memorable day in the life of a family. All kinds of hugs convey a range of emotions centered in love.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
In those sensory moments, short or long, small or large, we are joined with another being. It is a force for good. One Hug (Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, December 10, 2019) written by Katrina Moore with illustrations by Julia Woolf explores a memorable day in the life of a family. All kinds of hugs convey a range of emotions centered in love.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
February 24, 2021
So, so heartwarming. The text is super simple but the illustrations share a tender, loving story of a sweet nuclear family reuniting with extended family they haven’t seen in years. Their Asianness isn’t explicit, but they make dumplings with grandma and then serve them alongside hot dogs and burgers.
My literal-minded almost-5yo liked the book but was continuously confused about the various ways hugs are described in the rhyming text: “some hugs cradle falling tears”, “other hugs were made to last”, etc. I can’t say I was a super fan either.
My literal-minded almost-5yo liked the book but was continuously confused about the various ways hugs are described in the rhyming text: “some hugs cradle falling tears”, “other hugs were made to last”, etc. I can’t say I was a super fan either.
December 15, 2021
This is a sweet rhyming story about hugs and the many ways they come . . . especially in a family.
What I loved about this story was how the exploration of ways to hug wove into a deeper story of reuniting with loved ones we haven't seen in a long time. Given the separation from our loved ones that many of us have faced during the pandemic, this is a timely tale of reuniting, and the joy of expressing our love in those moments.
The illustrations complement the text perfectly with a deceptively simplistic style. Overall, this was a joy to read.
What I loved about this story was how the exploration of ways to hug wove into a deeper story of reuniting with loved ones we haven't seen in a long time. Given the separation from our loved ones that many of us have faced during the pandemic, this is a timely tale of reuniting, and the joy of expressing our love in those moments.
The illustrations complement the text perfectly with a deceptively simplistic style. Overall, this was a joy to read.
January 30, 2020
This sweet story focuses on the power of hugs as it expands from one hug to many throughout an extended family. One Hug takes a clever and wholly original look at what it means to hug, how we do it, and how it can make people feel loved in so many ways. Readers will fall in love with the gentle rhymes and soft illustrations in this special picture book.
March 26, 2020
I listened to the author read this book aloud on Youtube during this time of the COVID-19 outbreak, where we are being told to practice social distancing. She explained in the beginning of the video that she hopes this brings us some comfort in this time that we are being advised not to give hugs, but she knows we will be able to give out many hugs soon. Such a heartwarming book.
May 7, 2020
This book reads like a hug. It pulls you in and holds you close, full of love and kindness the whole way through. The pictures are beautiful and complement the warm, cozy rhymes throughout. I recommend this for anyone who might be missing family right now...and who might need to hug a book along the way!
December 21, 2020
This is a super-sweet book about the hugs that bring a family closer together, especially when extended family (including Grandma, aunt, uncle, and cousins) visit from far away. The rhyming text is simple and appealing and makes the special moments in the story doubly satisfying. It's a beautiful celebration of familial love.
June 30, 2019
What a sweet picture book about the power and impact of just one hug shared between two people. I loved the premise, the back story, the illustrations and the easy flow of the book. I immediately wanted to share a hug with those around me. Fantastic book!
December 12, 2019
This book celebrates the magic of one simple, special hug and will make you want to reach for the nearest loved one to give them a squeeze! Told in spot-on, joyful rhyme and illustrated with bright, colorful tones, kids will embrace ONE HUG and not want to let go!
December 13, 2019
There's nothing like a good hug! A wonderfully sweet book for young readers, highlighting so many ways to express our love with family and friends. This story will warm your heart. And in the end you get your very own hug! Who doesn't love that!
December 16, 2019
After reading this story, I thought-- what a perfect time of year to be reminded of family, love, and the wonderful feeling of a hug. But then I realized, ANY time of year is the perfect time for this! Highly recommend! :)
January 3, 2020
Love this adorable, huggable book! It's a cute rhyming concept book about hugs, perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, elementary students. Would recommend for bedtime stories and for discussing big family reunions.
January 10, 2020
With spare but lyrical language and delightful, child-friendly illustrations, ONE HUG evokes the warmth and joy of familial love. The fact that it depicts an Asian-American family is a plus! This is a timeless and perfect book for story time and bedtime.
January 21, 2020
Such a sweet story! Makes you want to cuddle up with your little one. The rhyming is successful, and creates a pleasant rhythm throughout the book. By the end it's very soothing. Bonus points for being a book that celebrates diversity!
February 6, 2020
A delightful book told in rhyming couplets that takes a fresh look at familial love and the power of hugs. I immediately did a repeat read just to savor the words and enchanting illustrations. Wonderful on so many levels!
February 26, 2020
Celebrate the art of the hug by reading One Hug written by Katrina Moore and lovingly illustrated by Julia Wolf. The enchanting, concise, rhyming text is supported by illustrations that will be helpful for early readers as they decipher new words and enjoyed by all. For ages 2 - 8.
April 5, 2020
Sweet and moving rhyming read-aloud that explores the joys of hugs. Many different types of hugs occur during a family reunion and the book is infused with a tender sense of family togetherness. Highly recommended for naptime, bedtime, or any type of family get together!
January 21, 2021
Cute book about hugs and family. The illustrations are also cute and go really well with the text. The text thymes really nicely that makes the book flow so well it could float. Loved it. Hugs are the best!
August 29, 2021
Warmth and good feelings infuse this hug of a book. Vibrant love-filled illustrations pair beautifully with simple accessible rhyme schemes. A perfect read-aloud right before bed time sure to inspire lots of cuddles.
September 27, 2022
A hug is more than you realize it could be, especially when you're missing them in your life. I can imagine little ones wanting to hug their family members (and beyond) after reading this sweet, joyful, rhyming story.
July 5, 2019
This lyrical picture book gave me all the feels. My favorite line, “One hug turns a “me” to “we.”
One Hug is sure to be a classroom must-have and a family treasure.
One Hug is sure to be a classroom must-have and a family treasure.
July 24, 2019
One Hug is such a sweet, poetic, loving story. A wonderful read aloud anytime of day to remind us how important a hug can be. The illustrations are adorable and complement the text perfectly.
December 19, 2019
sweet and charming. you'll definitely want to end this book with a hug of your loved ones.
January 4, 2020
Hugs of all kinds for all sorts of reasons.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews