Description Throughout this entire book, only four phrases are spoken: "Hug me," "There, hugged," "Mama~," and "Bobo." Within these four simple phrases lies the whole warm, loving picture of a mother and baby embracing tenderly. Is there anything in this world as peaceful and beautiful as a mother holding her baby close? Just like the story itself, the illustrations are done in soft watercolors with visible pen outlines, giving every page a bright, gentle warmth. Baby chimpanzee Bobo watches as the mothers and babies of many other animals—elephants, crocodiles, snakes, lions, giraffes, hippos—hug each other affectionately. Where has my mother gone, who should be hugging me? I want to be held too… When Bobo cries out "Hug me!", Mama Chimp appears and wraps Bobo in a warm embrace, and all the other animals in the forest share in the joy. For babies who believe their mother is their whole world, share this picture book and give them a big hug while you read it together. Both mother and baby are sure to feel wonderfully happy. Publisher's Review This book contains little more than the words "Hug me!" It takes a bold, minimal approach, letting the illustrations carry the story with barely any text—and remarkably, the phrase "Hug me!" alone is more than enough to satisfy. As baby Bobo's bright smile gradually fades and his once-lively movements grow more subdued, readers can easily sense the shift in his emotions. The size of the speech bubbles also changes each time Bobo calls out "Hug me!", offering a thoughtful visual cue to how his feelings are building. Why does this single phrase, "Hug me!", feel more satisfying to children ages 0-3 than ten beautifully crafted sentences? Perhaps because it's simply the language of this age itself. Just as a child can pack endless emotion and meaning into the same word "Mama"—said as a statement, a question, or a cry—the author uses "Hug me!" to hold an endless conversation with children ages 0-3. The illustrations feel as comforting as being held in someone's arms. Drawn with pen outlines and colored in soft, clear watercolors, they avoid any bold or intense colors, creating an overall impression of warmth and calm. Only baby Bobo is drawn with heavier pen lines and colored in black, so that even though he appears quite small on the page, he always draws the eye. Children can follow Bobo's story without distraction, fully immersing themselves in the gentle world of the illustrations. "What mattered most was that as Kushla read, she met many friends within the pages of her books. When Kushla was lost in pain and frustration, the characters in those books—along with their warmth and beautiful colors—were there beside her. The adults who loved Kushla and worked hard to show her the world, when she could not see it on her own, also played an important role. But perhaps it was only the characters in her books who traveled with Kushla into that dark, lonely place known only to her. And they will always remain with her." About the Author Written and Illustrated by Jez Alborough Born in 1959, Jez Alborough studied graphic design in college. He has written and illustrated more than thirty picture books, including My Friend Bear and Where's My Teddy?. He remains actively involved in children's events, picture book lectures, and exhibitions.