Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English
Categories
Children’s picture books

HUGSBY

Dow Phumiruk

The most adorable pet monster ever shows what everyone needs: hugs!

When Shelly adopts her pet monster Hugsby she loves everything about him. It doesn't matter that he can't do fancy tricks, or whistle, or blow bubbles. He gives the best hugs ever. But when Pet Monster Show and Tell Day arrives, Shelly worries. What can Hugsby do? All the other pet monsters can juggle or do flips or even Hula-hoop! Finally, it's time to show everyone her beloved Hugsby . . . and finally Shelly realizes that what she loves about Hugsby is more important than fancy tricks. Hugsby gives the best hugs ever!

Tiemdow Phumiruk came to America from Thailand as a child and became a pediatrician. While raising her daughters, she found her passion in children's book art. She lives in Lone Tree, Colorado, near Denver with her husband of over two and a half decades, three artistic daughters, one dwarf rabbit, one guinea pig, one tiny frog, and a really cool, old bearded dragon named Sparkles. Dow also enjoys fast and furious sewing projects and limited (she's not that athletic) hiking.

Available products
Book Published 2020-11-10 by Viking Books for Young Readers

Comments

This charming read-aloud is an especially strong recommendation to those seeking titles that foster conversations about perfectionism, acceptance, and self-worth.

This tale is a gentle reminder about accepting others for who they are and of the value of quiet strengths like compassion. Shelly's anxiety about Hugsby's absence of talent provides a mirror for children who may feel insecure about their own status. Rendered in a soothing color palette of soft pastels, the illustrations reinforce that warmth and kindness are at the heart of this story.

At the local shelter's "Monster Adoption Special," Shelly falls for Hugsby, a pink, plump creature with tiny fins for ears. Though Hugsby can bake cookies and draw pictures, he doesn't have any flashy talents in his repertoire - he's even a bust at blowing bubbles. Shelly insists that she loves him "anyway," but she worries he'll be outshone at her school's Pet Monster Show-and-Tell Day. Sure enough, other kids' monsters have talents that include magic tricks and triple backflips. But Hugsby proves he has his own level of star power when he eagerly dispenses "the best hugs" to the entire class... Shelly's deeper appreciation for Hugsby's capacity to be loyal, patient, loving, and kind is no small thing.