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Monday, July 13, 2020

Bird Hugs, written and illustrated by Ged Adamson. two lions, Thomas Allen & Son, 2020. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"Embarrassed by his useless
wings, he tried to make them
smaller.

Then he wondered if it might
be better to pretend they were
something else.

A scarf, for instance?

A nice big bow?
It was hopeless ... "

Bernard is a tiny bird with a BIG problem. When sitting on a tree branch, his wings reach almost all the way down to the ground. Bernard cannot possibly fly, although he hopes he can. Those hopes are finally dashed, and Bernard resolves that his life will be spent in a tree ... not at all like his bird friends who have taken to the sky and flown away. Poor, poor Bernard! His days and nights are filled with woe.

When he hears a plaintive sob one day, his sympathetic nature comes to the forefront. He leaps up on the sobbing orangutan, wraps his long wings around him, and gives the primate a HUGE hug! The orang is delighted with his new state of mind. The thanks given make Bernard realize he might have something special to offer. Upon awakening from a restful sleep, Bernard is bombarded with a loud chorus from a long lineup of creatures in need of a hug.

"He hugged a very
ticklish crocodile

and a very slippery frog.

Even a worm wanted a hug
(which, you'll agree, was pretty
brave of the worm)."

Every morning brings a new group needing the comfort of a hug, and a listening ear. Bernard is able to give up on his dream of flying, and replace it with something far more important. Wouldn't you agree?

With humorous, lovely text and gentle watercolor and pencil artwork, Ged Adamson tells a story to be savored by little ones. Readers will love the book turns that give perspective to the length of Bernard's wings which offer endless hugs, and his ability to show genuine concern for others.
                                                                       



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