While We Can't Hug:

Hedgehog & Friends

by Eoin McLaughlin, Polly Dunbar (illustrator)

The bestselling and heart-warming picture book that shows us ways to be affectionate while social distancing, from the team behind The Hug.

Hedgehog and Tortoise were the best of friends.
They wanted to give each other a great, big hug.
But they weren't allowed to touch.

"Don't worry," said Owl. "There are lots of ways to show someone you love them."

So the two friends wave to each other, blow kisses, sing songs, dance around and write letters. And even though they can't hug and they can't touch, they both know that they are loved.

A gorgeous, uplifting, inspiring picture book that makes social distancing fun!

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Love, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2020

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020 has certainly been a strange time for everyone, but it must seem even weirder for many youngsters.
This wonderfully heartwarming children's book help show various ways that people can still express their affection for each other with social distancing.

There's plenty of beautiful illustrations of a hedgehog and tortoise still having fun together from a safe distance.
The fact that the two friends spent there time creatively with letter writing and painting was also a nice tough.

Highly recommend for parents who's kids are struggling to understand these testing times.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute read.

Written for children during the covid years this is a fantastic little picture book giving children ideas on how to keep close to loved ones while they can't hug.

The hope and feel good factor in this little book is through the roof. Extremely cute.

While written during covid I'd argue this little book is great for any children out there separated from their loved ones for a magnitude of reasons.

Five stars.

[Neftis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia muy tierna para las epocas que estamos viviendo. Y las ilustraciones son preciosas.

[Alice Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so sweet! It's about two animals coming up with different ways to show that they love each other, without touching. It will help children understand and cope with social distancing and some of the impacts of Covid-19.

[Sophie Snowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely book which shows children other ways they can show their love for others during a period when they can’t hug. It’s a very simple story but has the potential to be really helpful and informative for young children. The simple language makes it a lovely read aloud as well as ensuring that it’s easy for children to understand. The book is beautifully illustrated and accompanies the book well. It would be a great story to share with children even when they can hug as it may show them other ways that they can show their love for others.

[Κόκκινη Αλεπού · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ενα από τα πιο όμορφα εικονογραφημένα βιβλία που κυκλοφόρησαν μέσα στην πανδημία και αναφέρονται σ’ αυτήν είναι το “Μέχρι ν’αγκαλιαστούμε” του Όουεν ΜακΛάφλιν σε εικονογράφηση Πόλι Ντάνμπαρ.

https://kokkinialepou.gr/mechri-n-agk...

[Shanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

my 4 year old and i really needed this book and i'm so thankful that it was written. my daughter regularly talks about how sad she is that she can't touch or hug her grandparents and other family. this book was such a good conversation starter about the things the family is doing to show that she is still loved, and how we can show others love in return. side note: if you're a sap like me, the foreword might make you misty eyed. It's dedicated to "all the children who can't hug the ones we love" <3

[&#x1f336; peppersocks &#x1f9e6; · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
Beautiful on its own, but for me, never has a book in a particular moment sang out so much for personalisation. Planning to buy multiple copies to share with family members with added notes, photos, drawings and letters - a perfect reminder of geographically distance doesn’t stop being mentally close

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lush, yet simple book - very relevant during lockdown - to share with children who may be missing friends/family. Helps children recognise different ways of showing affection to make others feel happy, whilst helping us to remember that we too, are loved.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely and cute.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book that could be really helpful for children during COVID-19.

[Summer Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute, I loved the illustrations.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable book with beautiful illustrations

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book came together in a rush to support social distancing efforts, it is satisfying and timeless. The story follows two friends as they deal with the physical distance between them, and even though they cannot touch, they are still able to connect and express affection in a variety of different ways. This is a great story for our current cultural moment, and because the book does not mention COVID-19, it can have ongoing future appeal for readers who are invested in long-distance friendships, dislike touching, or are friends with someone who requires a great deal of personal space.

[Elinna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un pequeño cuento muy cute

[Florencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un cuento corto que, nos sirve a tod@s para recordar que los gestos más pequeños pueden ser los más grandes.

[Amy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

While We Can’t Hug tells the story of two best friends, Hedgehog and Tortoise and how they learn to express their love for each other while social distancing. This picture book reflects the realities of the world, and how social distancing means that you may be unable to touch your friends/loved ones in an incredibly heartwarming and well thought out way. The acknowledgement of the sadness felt by Hedgehog and Tortoise allows audiences to relate to the story while simultaneously also giving them hope through the introduction of the Owl and the possibility of other “ways to show someone you love them”. Hence, this book would be a great way to start off the school year as it would encourage discussions about the current pandemic, allowing children to explore and hopefully better understand the ongoing changes in the world. Additionally, this book would also lend itself to the administrating and introduction of rules and expectations relating to pandemic related policies and what kinds of behaviors are acceptable in the classroom.

While the ideas explored in this book are extremely relevant, the language and illustrations are simple, bright, and colorful. Therefore, I think that it would be better suited for younger audiences ranging between 3-6 years old.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely adaptation of 'The Hug' to read with young children during this time of social distancing. It shows children the positive acts they can do to show people they love them even when they are not allowed to hug. A lovely book to read to children at the moment to spread some positivity.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hedgehog and Tortoise are the best of friends and really wanted to hug each other. But they are not allowed to touch each other right now. Owl pops in to offer other suggestions to show affection such as blowing kisses, sending letters and waving.

Highly recommended for pandemic storytimes.

[courtnei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my heart glow from the warmth. This would be a perfect book to read to kiddos (and adults) who are struggling with social distancing.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL the feels. Highly recommend during this time to younger readers and as a storytime read.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was precious! I love how it showed that you could show affection for someone without physical touch. The illustrations were cute and colorful.

[Birdindihandio D’Anddabush · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! A great picture book about the ways you can show someone you care while keeping distanced during COVID.

[♥Sabulous ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simplicity text, bold and bright illustrations.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the cutest picture books I have read in quite some time! I absolutely loved it and really enjoyed it's take on social distancing. Highly recommend!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming story to encourage young and not so young readers when we have to be apart. McLaughlin shows so many ways to share love without touching. Gorgeous soft colored illustrations.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL THE FEELS.

[Ed.Mowgli.Rei.Riley.River.Crow.Jelly.Cheddar.Remus.Becky.Whatever.RJ.Edward.Edwin.Edmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and good for these trying times

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sobre como mostrar às pessoas que as amamos

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written just for 2020!