Book Birthday: DON’T HUG DOUG
By Carrie Finison
Pardon me, but would you like a hug?
I’m not normally a big hugger, but today I feel like I could hug the WHOLE WORLD! My second picture book — DON’T HUG DOUG, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman — hits bookshelves today!
It’s a book I hope will make kids smile, but also help spark important conversations between children and adult readers about who and when they like to hug — or not! Because while you can hug a pug, or a bug, or even a slug, you can’t hug Doug. He doesn’t like it!
Here’s a short video I made to share more about the book.
And now, like Doug, I have some high fives to dole out! I’m not quite as good at high fives as Doug is, but I will try my best.
Illustration by Daniel Wiseman
A high-five to illustrator Daniel Wiseman, who gave the book huge visual appeal
To editor Stephanie Pitts and the whole team at Putnam Books for Young Readers who have done so much to help shape and support this book
To my agent, Linda Epstein, who kept saying, “What about that hug book? I liked that one!” when the manuscript was stuck in a drawer
To all my critique partners and groups who have been with me from the start, asking tough questions like, “But how will it end?”
To book lovers everywhere — teachers, booksellers, librarians, parents, and kids, who have expressed so much enthusiasm for this book and have helped spread the word, even during this difficult pandemic time
And most especially to my family, for supporting me through everything. I truly could not have done this without you!
If you’d like to join me and Daniel Wiseman for virtual hugs and high fives in celebration of the book, please register for the DON’T HUG DOUG virtual launch party hosted by Belmont Books at 6:30 p.m. ET February 3.
Order a signed copy from Belmont Books. (Request “signed copy” and any personalization in the Order Comments field.)
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Carrie Finison writes picture books with humor and heart, including DON'T HUG DOUG (2021), DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS (2020), and the forthcoming HURRY, LITTLE TORTOISE and LULU & ZOEY (2022). She lives in the Boston area with her family. For updates and giveaways, subscribe to her newsletter, check out her website or follow on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.