The Hug
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley May 18, 2014
Author David Grossman Art: Michael Rovner
Distributor:
ISBN: 978-1-4683-0273-8
Publisher: Overlook Duckworth
Release Date:
Website: http://www.bloomsbury.com
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Deceptively simple, The Hug looks at discovering each of us is an unique individual, one of an kind, special if you would, through the eyes of a small child as he struggles to come to terms with being ‘the only one like him’; there is no other.
Gently we enter his world of trying to understand that although each of us is unique we are not alone; there is always someone there for us. Although, and even though, they are also unique; one of a kind.
Captivating and introspective there is a little more to this than just discovering our uniqueness, it is also about who we are and how we, each as individuals come to the realisation that we are, big and small, our very own special people.
We may have traits inherited from family genetics, we may look like Granny or Grandad, but at the end of it all we are still special; we are unique.
Through the child Ben’s eyes we understand, with the wisdom of his mother that being special, being unique, is not just a human trait but that of every other living thing.
The analogy of watching an ant trail and they go busily about their daily work, each doing what they need to do to create a whole is also something to reflect upon in this busy world, and also helps Ben understand that it is truly OK to be an individual.
This also underlines that each of us, unique as we may be, also need to do what we are best at to create an whole, to be the best we can be and also to realise that we are not alone, there is always someone there with a hug or a kind world to remind us that we are also loved, valued and needed in this world.
Delicately illustrated the line drawings highlight the complex simplicity of the message, underpinning the gentle words.
A beautiful story made all the better for the sharing.