Fuzzy, Inside and Out: A Story About Small Acts of Kindness and Big Hair

by Zachariah OHora

From creator Zachariah OHora comes this tale about small acts of kindness, big hair, and spreading warm, fuzzy feelings

Meet Fuzzy Haskins: with unruly fur and a heart of gold, he's fuzzy inside and out!

Everywhere he goes, he spreads warm, fuzzy feelings throughout his community. There's only one thing that can possibly dampen his spirit: the humidity! When rainy weather brings on extra fuzz and gets Fuzzy into a jam of his own, it takes the generosity of others to get him back on his feet.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Storytime, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Humor

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 16, 2021

About the author

Zachariah OHora is the illustrator of the New York Times best seller Wolfie the Bunny. His debut as an author, Stop Snoring Bernard! won the 2011 Society of Illustrators Founders Award and was the 2012 State of PA Dept of Ed One book. His follow up, Not Fits Nilson! was named the Huffington Post Best Children's Book of 2013, a Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2013, a New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing and was given the PALA Carolyn W. Field Award. His book My Cousin Momo! was named by the Boston Globe a Best Picture Book of 2015 and was a Junior Library Guild Selection. His latest book The Not So Quiet Library hits shelves July 19th. He lives and works in Narberth, PA with his wife, two sons and two cats.

Reviews

[Bailey Novinbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one has such a great message but the pacing is SO off. It was hard for me to keep up with what was happening. There was a lot of jerky transitions.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fuzzy's pals come to his aid when his big hair and humidity get him into a jam.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5
Eh. A good underlying message about kindness and I assume a play on the phrase Warm Fuzzies which means to make someone else feel good. He smiles at people and tells them to look out when they are about to slip. Then his friends rescue him when he gets stuck. The illustrations are ok. The translations are a bit jerky. Not one I’d add when there are so many better ones about kindness and not one my kids liked.

[Jane Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amongst the numerous children’s books about kindness, Fuzzy stands out for its humor, heart and retro-cool-modern artwork! The story hilariously plays off the concept of a kind deed or word being a “warm fuzzy.” The main character, Fuzzy Haskins, totally embodies this, as he, in all his fuzzy, furry goodness, makes his way through the neighborhood, helping out folks on his way to visit a friend.

But when a storm rolls in, bringing with it the hair-poofing power of humidity, Fuzzy find himself down and out, and in need of a friend himself. Luckily, his good karma comes around, and a cast of totally rad characters—big and small—help Fuzzy find the perfect solution for his cookies that have literally crumbled.

With a squeeze of the heart and a tickle of the funny bone, Fuzzy, has all the
good feels.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Abrams Books.
OHora created a charming character to demonstrate kindness. As the name says, Fuzzy is very hairy on the outside; readers see how warm and fuzzy he is on the inside too. He helps others when he can. Then, rain hits and Fuzzy needs some help himself. Readers then see how kindnesses are repaid.
Humor wrapped around an important message about how we treat others. I especially love the illustration after the humidity hits. The text and illustrations invite readers to join the fun and be part of the nurturing.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for the digital ARC!
A lovely and encouraging story about never being too busy to help a friend. Being a bit fuzzy myself, I totally related to Fuzzy's fuzzy predicament. Humidity is not my friend either. This would make a great story time read for a kindness or friendship theme. You could even call it "Warm Fuzzies". And I think everyone should receive a small bag of cookie crumbs at the end of the story so they can make cookie soup also!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

OHora's illustrations are always quirky and fun. The story here doesn't feel all that original, and the use of the word "fuzzy" to describe a good feeling, something that is unclear, AND his hairdo was a bit confusing. I understand getting the "warm fuzzies," but that's not exactly how it's used here. That just made the narrative feel too forced.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't feel it. I like the warm fuzzy feeling as much as anyone, but this isn't really about that. It's about a kid who needs a haircut, imo. (Note the hippo says "not again" - and note that nobody says or does anything about the litterbug of the banana peels. These characters don't think, they just react.)

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I typically love books by Zachariah but this one fell a bit flat for me. I think it could lead to some good discussions about kindness and helping others but I don't see it being in high demand in a school library collection. Thanks to Abrams Books for access to the ARC.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute, but not as laugh out loud funny as I was hoping. It's a good tale of friends helping each other out so could be good in classrooms, but won't work as well for a big group read aloud.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is a humorous story about humidity’s impact on hair and how friends come to the rescue. It’s made even better by Zachariah OHora’s artwork, whose style I love.

[Jennifer Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! and having curly hair I could relate to Fuzzy!

[Mindy Alyse Weiss]

This book is warm, fuzzy...and funny. I totally relate to humidity hair!

I always like when books show good deeds being repaid by kindness and friendship.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Too cute!

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but not as fresh or memorable as some of OHora's other work. Would work in conversations about community, friendship, and kindness.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes: helping others, hair, animals

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really sweet story about a very fuzzy dog who is super kind to everyone, and then when he gets into trouble, his kindness karma comes right back to him.

[Aolund · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay story about imaginary animal-esque creatures. Didn't wow me.

Themes: Friends, Kindness
Age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This plus Don't Splash the Sasquatch could be an excellent start to a story time

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and nice with cute illustrations, but also boring and predictable.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute kindness book.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We laughed a lot at the humidity bit. A very sweet story.