Hachette Children’s ISBN 9781444949971 £12.99
The bold, simple illustrations in Pug Hug will be attractive to young readers, a good next step from board books perhaps. With a small amount of text on each page it will be a good introduction to the printed word, distinguishing print from pictures. The page-turning story follows the well-trodden path of a creature seeking something – in this case pug hoping for someone to give him a hug. A trail of various animals are all too busy or not interested, until crocodile, approaching from the traditionally sinister right-hand side of the page, going against the usual flow, is only too willing to help out. Of course, pug escapes, right into the arms of his little girl owner, and all the other animals he has met along the way. A nice one to share. Age range 2 – 5.
Pam Dowson