Essential Reads: Big Hug Books

It’s not often that I blog about a series time and time and time again, but then it’s not often that I come across a series that I feel so passionately about. The ‘Big Hug Books’ series is one that I feel should be on shelves in every home, school and library; actually they should be off the shelves, being read time and time again, so important are the messages in these books. They can be read from a very young age – ChickPea has been hearing them since she was two years old, but they are still entirely wonderful for ten year olds.

I am also extremely wary of books written for children by ‘experts’ in their field. Just because you are an expert horticulturalist, does not mean you can write an engaging children’s book on gardening. Just because you are the PM of Australia, don’t think you have the skill to write a children’s book about your experiences (yep that book exists and did NOT work). Writing for children is a skill, an art and a career, so I had awfully low expectations the first time I came across a book about grief, written by psychologist Shona Innes. But by the second page I was in tears and by the final page my soul felt soothed. My deepest apologies for pre-judging your ability to write and connect with children Shona! You can read more about Shona Innes in my interview with her here and for more books on grief (a topic super close to my heart) see here.

The Five Mile Press have just published the eighth book in this series and I most certainly hope there is a few more in the pipeline.

I am a firm believer in being proactive in addressing ‘the big issues’ of life with children, rather than dashing out to grab a book on internet safety after an unfortunate Snapchat incident (!) – the horse has bolted by then. Perhaps the death of my brother prompted me to be this way, but I like to read and discuss books on all topics in our house, even the tricky topics. Just last night we read a fairly confronting book on our bodies being our own and talking to trusted adults about any issues of child safety. The ‘Big Hug Books’ deal with grief, friendship issues, online safety, navigating the jungle that is the playground, family breakdown, family structure, love, worries and self-image and we include one of these books in bedtime reading pretty much every week. It doesn’t mean my children will escape all or any of these issues, and many have reared their head for us already, but it does mean they will have the vocabulary to talk about how they might feel about situations and some strategies to deal with situations.

Each book ends with a note for trusted adults about how to discuss the complex emotions dealt with in each volume and I have certainly found these notes incredibly helpful and reassuring. The illustrations by Irisz Agocs are whimsical and a perfect fit for the soul soothing text.

I highly recommend just going ‘add to cart’ on all eight titles here (they are $12.50 each well-spent!) and reading and re-reading them with your children, but for a little more on each individual title and the issue it deals with, see below.

Click on title links or cover images to purchase.

‘Life is like the Wind’ focuses on the complexities around death, loss and grief. It acknowledges the range of feelings associated with losing a loved one whether human or non-human. This book aims to help children not to be frightened of their reactions, but to explore their beliefs, acknowledge that others may have different ideas and then work out the ways they want to acknowledge their loss and their feelings.

‘Friendship is Like a Seesaw’ explores the ups and downs that occur in friendships, or indeed, in many other kinds of relationships. This book acknowledges that even the healthiest of friendships can have their tricky moments.

‘The Internet is Like a Puddle’ attends to the wonderful aspects of electronic communication as well as gently discusses some of the possible pitfalls of sharing, chatting and using data. There is a need to be mindful of those who are naïve to the potential problems without denying them the wonderful opportunities. ‘The Internet is Like a Puddle’ describes ways to stay safe and enjoy learning and chatting time on the Internet and to keep life balanced.

The ‘Playground is like the Jungle’ was written with a view to opening young minds to the rich variety of human personalities that exist in their world.  Readers are encouraged to take time to observe the behaviours and moods of others and to make wise and safer choices about play mates. The strategies promoted encourage tolerance and acceptance of interpersonal different and wise choices with respect to interpersonal safety.

Cakes are made from many different ingredients to create something unique, delicious and amazing. A family is a lot like a cake. Families come in all shapes and sizes. They are the people who help us feel that we belong. Families give us help, support and love… even when we are apart from them. When we are with our family, we feel like we are home.

Love is a special and growing thing. It’s a little bit like a tree – a special magical tree – that you can climb up into, nest comfortably in its big branches, and safely watch the world go by. Love can come in different shapes and sizes. Like a tree, love can grow and grow…

‘Worries are Like Clouds’ compares worries to the weather, acknowledging that some days are wonderful, filled with golden sunlight that calls us outside to run and jump and play with fresh air on our faces. But some days are not so wonderful and can be a bit tough.

‘You are Like You’ looks at all the different things that make up the very special person that is ‘you’. From physical attributes to feelings, thoughts and ideas, this book explores the different aspects of what it means to be a unique individual.