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Hedgehog Needs a Hug

Author Jen Betton
Illustrated by Jen Betton
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
8.94"W x 10.81"H x 0.37"D   | 14 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Jun 19, 2018 | 32 Pages | 9781524737122
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD540L
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Everyone needs hugs, even if they're prickly.

When Hedgehog wakes up feeling down in the snout and droopy in the prickles, he knows a hug will make him feel much better. But none of his animal friends are eager to wrap their arms around Hedgehog's prickles, and he's too smart to fall for Fox's sly offer.

Then Hedgehog gets a surprise: Another animal in the forest is feeling exactly the same way.

Luckily, both are kind and brave enough for the perfect hug.
“An exciting visual experience. . . Wordplay and engaging images are joined expertly to a theme of love and compassion.” —Kirkus Reviews

"Featuring expressive animal images that pop from white backdrops and are at once softly focused and realistic, [this] mixed-media art lays bare Hedgehog's dismay after he wakes up feeling "down in the snout and droopy in the prickles" and none of his friends is willing to give him a hug. . . . In a sweet conclusion that amplifies the story's directive to look beyond appearances and eschew stereotypes, Hedgehog finds his hug, and unconditional friendship." —Publishers Weekly
Jen Betton received her BFA in Painting from the University of Central Florida, and her MFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her awards include third place for Children's Market in the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles in 2010, the portfolio grand prize at New England's SCBWI conference in 2014, and a SCBWI national mentorship award in 2012. Jen loves working in watercolor, solving visual problems, and seeing a story come to life. This is her second picture book.
Jen Betton View titles by Jen Betton

About

Everyone needs hugs, even if they're prickly.

When Hedgehog wakes up feeling down in the snout and droopy in the prickles, he knows a hug will make him feel much better. But none of his animal friends are eager to wrap their arms around Hedgehog's prickles, and he's too smart to fall for Fox's sly offer.

Then Hedgehog gets a surprise: Another animal in the forest is feeling exactly the same way.

Luckily, both are kind and brave enough for the perfect hug.

Praise

“An exciting visual experience. . . Wordplay and engaging images are joined expertly to a theme of love and compassion.” —Kirkus Reviews

"Featuring expressive animal images that pop from white backdrops and are at once softly focused and realistic, [this] mixed-media art lays bare Hedgehog's dismay after he wakes up feeling "down in the snout and droopy in the prickles" and none of his friends is willing to give him a hug. . . . In a sweet conclusion that amplifies the story's directive to look beyond appearances and eschew stereotypes, Hedgehog finds his hug, and unconditional friendship." —Publishers Weekly

Author

Jen Betton received her BFA in Painting from the University of Central Florida, and her MFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her awards include third place for Children's Market in the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles in 2010, the portfolio grand prize at New England's SCBWI conference in 2014, and a SCBWI national mentorship award in 2012. Jen loves working in watercolor, solving visual problems, and seeing a story come to life. This is her second picture book.
Jen Betton View titles by Jen Betton

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