Follow Bear and his forest companions as they help him rediscover how hugs are made and the importance of friendship!

Bear has forgotten something important—he remembers the feeling and the sound “badump, badump, badump”—but he can’t seem to remember how hugs are made! He holds his arms out in a circle, but it just doesn’t feel right. Bear’s friends Toad, Fox, Dove, and Hedgehog come along one by one and try to help him out, but it isn’t until they all join together that the hug finally feels right and the sound of heartbeats in the woods returns to Bear’s ears once again.

STRONG TOPIC AND COMPS: Children’s books about hugs have the potential to sell strongly week to week and year over year. I Need a Hug (Scholastic, 2019) sells over 900 copies per week according to BookScan and its sales are trending upward year to year.

GORGEOUS ILLUSTRATIONS: Atmospheric and colorful illustrations done by Italian film director and artist Francesco Filippini will capture children’s imaginations.

POSITIVE MORALS: The book promotes the ideas of teamwork, friendship, togetherness, and the good that can come from being vulnerable about personal issues.