The Very Best Hug
What’s inside...
A heartwarming tale that explores the joy and importance of hugs through the journey of various adorable animals. The story celebrates the different kinds of hugs and the special bonds they represent.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the animals felt when they received a hug?
What is your favorite way to show kindness to your friends, like the characters in the book?
Why do you think a hug can be the very best gift?
Can you think of a time when you felt happy or safe because of a hug?
How can we show love and care without using words?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions of the characters when they receive hugs. This will help your child connect with the story on an emotional level.
Encourage your child to talk about their own experiences of giving and receiving hugs, and relate those to the story.
Discuss the different types of hugs shown in the book and ask your child to demonstrate their favorite type.
After reading, spend a few minutes giving hugs to each other, reinforcing the theme that hugs can be a meaningful expression of love and care.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: In 'The Very Best Hug', various animals demonstrate kindness by sharing warm, comforting hugs.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express kindness by offering a helping hand or a comforting word to their friends and family members.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: The story showcases different animals bonding over hugs, highlighting how friendships are nurtured through caring actions.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to build and maintain friendships by engaging in acts of care and spending quality time with their peers.
Example Lesson: Diversity and acceptance
Explanation: The range of animals, each unique in their own way, promotes the acceptance of differences.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to appreciate and embrace the diverse traits of people in their community.
Example Lesson: Expressing emotions
Explanation: The book portrays how hugs can be a form of expressing love and happiness, helping children understand the importance of showing their feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can use hugs or kind words to express their feelings positively and openly with others.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: By observing the comforting effects of a hug between characters, readers learn to empathize with others' feelings.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to notice when someone might need support and how they might offer comfort to their peers or family.