Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: Wee Beasties: Huggy the python hugs too hard by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Alex G. Griffiths

Huggy the python, a dapper green snake with top hat and blue scarf, loves to give hugs. But there's a little problem. As the title says, Huggy hugs too hard! Despite the narrator's reminders to be gentle, Huggy pops a balloon, splats his ice cream, and then he's going to hug a cute little dog... oh no. Luckily, before Huggy gets his coils on the puppy, readers have a chance to demonstrate a gentle hug with the cute puppy. With the demonstration in mind, Huggy manages a gentle hug and the puppy survives his love (not so a water bottle in his tail, but you can't have everything...)

Griffiths' wacky cartoons are a great match for Dyckman's humorous text. Some of the spreads include simple comic panels, with yellow backgrounds, while others show Huggy snaking his way across the white background, splattered in ice cream, gazing sadly at a popped balloon, and finally celebrating with party hat and confetti.

Verdict: This is a great choice to teach little ones how to use a gentle touch with animals, friends, babies, and other fragile items and will also give a laugh to parents who will pick up on the more subtle humor. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781534410800; Published May 2018 by Little Simon; Borrowed from another library in my consortium