Hugs save lives

Studies show that hugs do save lives. Premature babies who receive touch therapy cry less, gain weight faster and have more relaxed pulse, respiration, and muscle tension. Children in orphanages who are deprived of ‘skin contact’ lose weight, are more prone to illnesses, and at times die. A hug can save lives.

Have you hugged your child today? How many times a day do you hug your child, spouse, sibling, or friend?

What better way or time to hug your child than while sharing a book. The following is a brief list of ‘hug books’. No matter if you are reading to a young child or they are reading to you – share a book and hug your child or children.

All of the books mentioned here are available in the Lansing area through Schuler Books & Music, Barnes & Noble Books, or by clicking the links at Amazon.

Hug Hug!by Lorie Ann Grover, and Rebecca Malone (Board book)
Book Details:
    * Reading level: Baby-Preschool
    * Board book: 24 pages
    * Publisher: Little Simon (November 28, 2009)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 1416947663
    * ISBN-13: 978-1416947660

Mommy Hugsby Karen Katz (Hardcover)
Book Details:
    * Reading level: Baby-Preschool
    * Hardcover: 32 pages
    * Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (March 6, 2010)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0689877722
    * ISBN-13: 978-0689877728

Hugs & Kisses (Baby Faces)by Roberta Grobel Intrater, and Nic Bishop (Board book - Aug 2002)
Book Details:
    * Reading level: Baby-Preschool
    * Board book: 10 pages
    * Publisher: Cartwheel (August 2002)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0439420032
    * ISBN-13: 978-0439420037

Baby's Hug-a-Bibleby Sally Lloyd-jones, and Claudine Gevry (Hardcover - Jan 26, 2010)
Book Details:
    * Reading level: Baby-Preschool
    * Hardcover: 24 pages
    * Publisher: HarperFestival; Brdbk edition (January 26, 2010)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0061566217
    * ISBN-13: 978-0061566219

Daddy Hugs 1 2 3by Karen Katz (Hardcover - Mar 6, 2010)
Book Details:
    * Reading level: Baby-Preschool
    * Hardcover: 32 pages
    * Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (March 6, 2010)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0689877714
    * ISBN-13: 978-0689877711

Mommy, May I Hug the Fish?: Biblical Values (I Can Read!)by Crystal Bowman (Michigan Author), and Donna Christensen (Paperback)
Book Details:
    * Reading level: Ages 4-8
    * Paperback: 32 pages
    * Publisher: Zonderkidz (May 18, 2007)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0310714680
    * ISBN-13: 978-0310714682

Even Firefighters Hug Their Momsby Christine Kole MacLean (Michigan Author), and Mike Reed (Paperback)
Book Details:
    * Reading level: Ages 4-8
    * Paperback: 32 pages
    * Publisher: Puffin (September 9, 2004)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0142401919
    * ISBN-13: 978-0142401910

Hug Timeby Patrick McDonnell (Hardcover)
Book Details:
    * Reading level: Ages 4-8
    * Hardcover: 48 pages
    * Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (October 1, 2007)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0316114944
    * ISBN-13: 978-0316114943

Mommy Hugsby Anne Gutman, and Georg Hallensleben (Board book)
Book Details:
    * Reading level: Ages 4-8
    * Board book: 14 pages
    * Publisher: Chronicle Books (May 2003)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0811839168
    * ISBN-13: 978-0811839167

Bear Hugs: Romantically Ridiculous Animal Rhymesby Karma Wilson, and Suzanne Watts (Hardcover)
Book Details:
    * Reading level: Ages 4-8
    * Hardcover: 64 pages
    * Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; 1 edition (December 22, 2009)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 1416994270
    * ISBN-13: 978-1416994275

While I was unable to locate any books geared towards older children I highly recommend How to Hug a Porcupine: Negotiating the Prickly Points of the Tween Yearsby Julie A. Ross for parents of children in the 'tween' years (not little kids but not yet teens). They really really need hugs and this book helps parents cope with the 'I'm too old for that' stage.
Book Details:
    * Paperback: 224 pages
    * Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (July 2, 2008)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0071545891
    * ISBN-13: 978-0071545891

National Hug Your Kids Day is the third Monday of July each year. For a brief history of the holiday visit the Buffalo Family Holidays Examiner’s article “National hug your kids day July 19, 2010”.
 

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