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Forget about the triple chocolate covered strawberries, sugary conversation hearts, and double-dipped fudge truffles; if you really want to sink your teeth into an extra sweet treat this Valentine’s Day head to the book store.
That’s where you’ll find one of the most heartwarming Love Day reads around: Hugs from Pearl.
Pearl is a hugging machine.
Problem is she’s also a porcupine.
While Pearl loves doling out sweet squeezes to her young classmates, they don’t always appreciate being on the receiving end of hugs that hurt.
Fortunately, Pearl is a proactive porcupine.
She keeps Band-Aids on hand in case her prickly quills draw more than an “Ouch!” or “UGH!” from her school chums.
It’s not like Pearl wants to injure her friends with her sharp snuggles.
In fact, the perpetually prudent porcupine goes to great lengths to get her hug on without permanently disfiguring her peeps.
At first she tries to place pin cushions on all of her quills, but that job took way too long. Then, Pearl tries to soften her spines by soaking in a long, hot bath. When that doesn’t work she asks her mom to clip her calamus, but they grow back.
So, what’s a hug obsessed porcupine to do?
The sweet solution will tickle your nose and your funny bone.
Who knew porcupines could be so creative?
Hugs from Pearl has fast become my young daughter’s favorite bedtime book. Fortunately, the storyline is cute enough that you won’t mind reading it to your child over and over… and over and over… again.
Moreover, the tale provides a teachable moment for kids about troubleshooting. Independent problem-solving is a challenge for most preschoolers (the book’s target audience), so seeing Pearl figure out a way to work through her disappointment and discouragement, and finally present her pals with painless hugs, is a real treat-—on Valentine’s Day and beyond.
To get swept away in this dreamy book perfectly penned and masterfully illustrated by the incredibly talented Paul Schmid, check out HarperCollins’ website or pick up the hugtastic read from your local book store.
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