Abbracciami

by Simona Ciraolo

Ever feel like you need a hug, a really big hug from someone? That's how Felipe the young cactus feels, but his family just isn't the touchy-feely kind. Cactuses can be quite prickly sometimes you know . . . and so can Felipe. But he'll be darned if this one pointy issue will hold him back, so one day Felipe sets off on his own to find a friend and just maybe, that long awaited hug.

In her debut picture book, Simona Ciraola creates an endearing tale of friendship, beautifully illustrated with buoyant wit and the perfect story to share.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Storytime, Family, Love

Paperback

First published September 16, 2014

About the author

Simona Ciraolo studied animation at the National Film School in Turin, Italy, and earned a master's in illustration at the Cambridge School of Art in England, where she was awarded the Sebastian Walker Award in 2014. Simona Ciraolo now lives in London.

Reviews

[Parnian.K]

I love the part of me that still relates to kids’ stories. I hope I can keep it alive forever.

[Lesley]

Quite possibly the most adorable book on the face of the earth. May or may not have read it to my pet cactus.

[Safa Dalal]

"They didn't notice that all he wanted was a hug"

[Mansour]

وقتی خانواده و دوروبری هات خیلی اهل احساس و «لمس» نیستند و نیاز به یک آغوش داری...

[Abigail]

Felipe's very proper cactus family didn't believe in invading other people's personal space, so the prickly young plant's desire for a hug went unfulfilled. His initial attempt at friendship with a delicate yellow balloon proved disastrous, and our cactus hero ended up leaving home and living very much alone. Until the day, that is, that he met someone else who also longed for a hug...

A sweet picture-book about wanting to make connections, and feeling a little awkward about it at first, Hug Me was author/artist Simona Ciraolo's debut. This is the second book, following upon the lovely The Lines on Nana's Face , that I have picked up by Ciraolo, and although I did find it charming, it wasn't quite the equal of that later title. Still, the ending is heartwarming, and the artwork quirky and appealing, so I would definitely attempt a third book from this artist. The publisher, London-based Flying Eye Books, seems to produce books that are quite interesting and engaging, from a design/graphic layout perspective. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books that address themes of loneliness, social interaction and friendship.

[Vonia]

Uber cute. Lonely cactus. Family is very distant. Reaches out into the real world to find a friend. Unfortunately, finding loving individuals, even simply receiving hugs is easier said than done. He finally finds what he has seeked in a rock, whom has a similar family situation. Kindred spirits, Hugs!

Ciraola is an animator, which shows in her adorable illustrations. It is her proficient rendering of these emotions, of course, that warm the readers' hearts, at whatever age.

Adults can learn a lot from this, including a few things on psychology, parenting, depression. How a little hug can really mean so much. Parents who are not prone to touching seldom realize the effect they have on their children, not only consciously, but also psychologically in ways neither is aware.

[Claudia G-D]

Sweet little picture book with illustrations that add to the understanding of the story. The key message is that sometimes all we need is a hug from someone. PSHE links- friendships, teaching children to look out for someone who might need a friend or comfort, who can we go to when we need help/ comfort? EYFS/KS1.

[stefiereads]

Reading this book in Norwegian, which is "Gi Meg en Klem".
There is a lot of beautiful picture books out there, but the one that you can relate to and the one that best described your feelings at some point in your life, is rare. This book does that for me. I saw myself again in Felipe.
Hug me is a simple book told in a very simple story and plot. But the meaning of this book is really deep. It is also contain a lot of wonderful messages not only for kids but for adult too.
If you want to gifted a book for the little readers or adults, look no more :)

*leseeksemplar er fra Mangschou forlag. Tusen takk!

[Angelina]

I know this is a picture book, but I was a little bit disappointed by the ending. I was hoping the cacti would change.

[Jahnie]

Your thorns and sharp edges should never stop you from giving a hug. A hug is a balm for loneliness and a good friendship greeting.

[بثينة العيسى]

Quite adorable.

[Tasha]

I watched the CBeebies Bedtime Stories version as Tom Hardy was reading it, can you blame me?! I might have enjoyed this purely because of that however the story is very endearing especially as it seems it was picked especially for the pandemic. A reminder that you might not always fit in with your own family and that's OK and that you might be able to help someone who's feeling left out too. Plus I'm quite fond of hugs myself so I can relate.

[Garrett]

We all need more hugs. Even little cacti. Give your cacti hugs! But keep some bandages handy...

[J]

Cute, sweet story. Love that ending.

[Ashley Marx]

Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer my children’s books to showcase healthy communication, conflict resolution, and ✨growth✨ instead of pushing a message that says, “if you don’t feel connected to your family— just leave!”

Somebody should’ve suggested therapy before publishing this one. 🤡

[Galleane]

Cet album traite avec une certaine dureté de la différence et notamment du fait de grandir dans un environnement qui ne nous convient pas toujours, même s'il est question du cercle familial, celui duquel on fait partie dès notre naissance. Pourtant il se dégage de l'histoire également beaucoup de tendresse et surtout la morale est positive.

Mon avis complet : https://bloggalleane.blogspot.com/201...

[Emmy Holmes]

Tiny adorable cactus? Tiny adorable cactus who just wants to hug? Super cute illustrations and a happy ending? What's not to love?! I could not get enough of this book! I wanted to give it a great big hug!

[Amy]

Darling. Love the voice and the protagonist's name and the message, of course. My favorite page is when he's trying to enjoy his own company--playing sudoku & video games and eating Chinese take-out in his giant armchair, his bunny slippers on the floor.

[Merve Cesur]

Yetişkinlere de hitap eden bir çocuk kitabı. Böyle diyorum çünkü satır aralarında çok güzel mesajları var. Örneğin ihtiyacını görmeyen, karşılamayan bir yerde-ailen dahi olsa- durmamak gibi… Kendine, ihtiyaçlarına sahip çıkmak gibi…Belki başkaları da başka şeyler bulurlar, ama ilk bakışta bana bunlar temas etti.
Bir çocuk kitabından beklentinize bağlı olarak beğenip beğenmemeniz değişebilir belki. Çünkü ponçiğin evini terk etmesi her ne kadar yetişkin yanım için gayet normal gelse de çocuğuma okurken bi tedirgin oldum. Bir de kitabın dili biraz daha çocuklara uygun olabilirdi diye düşünüyorum.

p.s. Kaktüs kiminle arkadaş olacak diye heyecanla beklerken taş çıkması çok duygulandırdı. Güzel bir uyum olmuş ama yazarın ne demek istediğini anlayınca bir gönül sızlaması oluyor.

[Kellie]

A cactus named Felipe who just wants a hug. How could I resist?

[RH Walters]

A cactus can be more than emotionally available.

[Ellen Vaas]

Such a sweet story that reminds us to always take a walk in someone else’s shoes. The message of empathy is strong yet digestible in this adorably illustrated children’s picture book. A pleasure to read!

[Kat]

So sad. So cute.

[معصومه توکلی]

عنوان ترجمه فارسی: بغلم کن

[I’m nobody! Who are you? Are you -nobody- too?]

“They didn’t notice that all he wanted was a hug!”

[Feri Ketabkhor]

نمی‌دونم آیا کتاب‌های کودک جدیداً این‌قد ناراحت‌کننده شده‌ن یا وقتی من بچه بودم این چیزا ناراحتم نمی‌کرد :))

[Maggie]

A delightful little book. The drawings on the inside of both covers are adorably rough, but very important to the understanding of Felipe and his story with Camilla. The lessons to be learned here are often more subtle than I think a young child is going to understand without perhaps reading it several times. They'll get the bigger themes, but maybe not the lesser until later. Still, it's a wonderful and unique way to present important lessons.

[رزان خالد]

dont look at me im fragile right now

[Susan]

What a gift Simona Ciralo had to be able to speak so profoundly of our life experience so simply and with so few words. The struggles we all feel at times - not fitting in with our family or peer groups and not getting our needs met from those around us. Then we find that exciting person that is SO NOT right for us. Which ends badly. And just when we give up and develop that prickly outer shell, we find that one person who is our missing half. Perhaps I am reading too much into this, but I like my assessment. Beautiful story, beautifully illustrated.

[The Styling Librarian]

Hug Me by Simona Ciraolo – Awww. Never expected to love a cactus so much. Sweet little cactus with all the adult cacti around her not wanting to have anything complicated nor are they good at displaying affection. Loved how this little cactus keeps trying to find someone to connect with and get a hug…. until she gives up. Simple and beautiful. Made me laugh when my son saw the cover and announced, “I don’t want to hug a cactus, are you kidding me?” but he ended up saying “Awwww.” to the story as well.