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The Giant Hug
How do you give your granny a hug when she lives far away? Send it through the mail, of course!
Owen’s hug travels across the country in a series of hilarious, sometimes awkward, always heartfelt embraces between animals of different shapes and sizes. Valeri Gorbachev’s adorable artwork pairs beautifully with Sandra Horning’s charming text, and makes for a fun, funny, and educational read-aloud. An unexpected twist at the end will delight readers and have kids asking for this book again and again.
Owen’s hug travels across the country in a series of hilarious, sometimes awkward, always heartfelt embraces between animals of different shapes and sizes. Valeri Gorbachev’s adorable artwork pairs beautifully with Sandra Horning’s charming text, and makes for a fun, funny, and educational read-aloud. An unexpected twist at the end will delight readers and have kids asking for this book again and again.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 11, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
April 13, 2020
The Giant Hug is one my favorite books, especially to read to the grandchildren. Owen is a little pig who wants to send his grandmother a big hug....he opens his arms as wide and he possibly can and sends his hug through the mail touching the hearts of all the animal postal delivery people along the way from the clerk sitting at the post office, to the mail sorter, to to the driver to the mail plane pilot, to the pick-up to the delivery van....etc. Each passing the hug along until it gets to Granny. And then Granny does the most remarkable thing - she sends him back a big kiss!
OKAY OKAY....this book might not be Me Too correct but it is just so darn cute!
OKAY OKAY....this book might not be Me Too correct but it is just so darn cute!
April 14, 2021
I like it but with covid kinda sad 😥 😔
March 3, 2018
Hmmm. This is a super adorable story about a little boy who wants to send his grandmother a hug through the mail. Not only does it mean the hug gets to pass to so many different people and brighten their days, but it also shows the reader how many different individuals it takes to get a letter from one place to another. So then why did it make me slightly uncomfortable?
I think in this day and age, I just see some red flags when coworkers are forced to hug each other. It's an adorable book, and I'm ALL about hugging, which is why I picked it up. But one character seemed to not particularly like hugs and had to be hugged and hug back in return, and I'm not sure I'm okay with that kind of forced hug on a professional level. To the writer's credit, the postal workers did announce first the reason for the hug before the hug took place. And it was cute that the hug brought out some feelings that two coworkers had for each other. It's an innocent little children's book and a harmless hug. But it still made me a little uneasy, especially at the end when the grandmother sends back a kiss.
As far as a children's book goes, it was absolutely adorable though. I didn't expect to feel so uncomfortable. Because hugs are the best.
I think in this day and age, I just see some red flags when coworkers are forced to hug each other. It's an adorable book, and I'm ALL about hugging, which is why I picked it up. But one character seemed to not particularly like hugs and had to be hugged and hug back in return, and I'm not sure I'm okay with that kind of forced hug on a professional level. To the writer's credit, the postal workers did announce first the reason for the hug before the hug took place. And it was cute that the hug brought out some feelings that two coworkers had for each other. It's an innocent little children's book and a harmless hug. But it still made me a little uneasy, especially at the end when the grandmother sends back a kiss.
As far as a children's book goes, it was absolutely adorable though. I didn't expect to feel so uncomfortable. Because hugs are the best.
April 28, 2011
I loved this book. Pig sends his Grandma a hug through the mail for her birthday. Throughout the story it shows the hug being passed along. When Grandma gets it guess what she sends back! A kiss! At the end of the story you see pig with red lip stick on his cheek. The storyline in this book was charming and sweet. I liked how the story talked about the process of how mail is sent. Teacher and parents could read this story to their child before letting a child write a letter.
May 14, 2013
This is everything a children's book should be. I love the good heartedness and sweet humor of it, and I admire the author and illustrator for creating such a nice story without being sappy. I guess that means they are both kind and talented. I found this by chance on display at the library, and I'm going to look for more of their books. This one's a treasure.
June 9, 2013
This is so darn cute! A boy wants to send a REAL hug to his grandmother through the mail. So, as the envelope makes its way through the various stages in the system, the hug is transferred from person to person. Each hug brightens someone's day. Great concept, charming illustrations.
August 10, 2016
This book was adorable and it even made me tear up in the end. Simply delightful.
October 9, 2018
"The Giant Hug" by Sandra Horning follows the heartwarming tale of a young pig named Owen, and his wish to 'mail' his granny one big happy birthday hug. The story captures what it means to be kind to one another, and how one small act of kindness can lead to a happy community. The plot carries beautifully, as the readers sit and relax as they watch the hug travel (literally) from person to person, employee to employee, mailman to mailman - until it reaches Granny. This sweet book gives light to the simplistic treasures in life, like one giant hug!
The major theme(s) in "The Giant Hug" by Sandra Horning are:
1. Kindness: how one small act of kindness can have such a huge impact on community.
2. Hope: how hope is real and is a beautiful treasure; that there is beauty and light in the world.
I presented "The Giant Hug" by Sandra Horning with a 5/5 star rating because I absolutely adored this read! This is a book I most definitely would have loved to read, as a child myself. The simplistic sweetness of the storyline provides a soothing quality to the tone of the book. Having that hope that the kindness will travel so far across the globe, is a quality that good children's literature has.
Upon conclusion of this read, I am in love with "The Giant Hug" by Sandra Horning. Personally, I feel the book follows a great storyline, has a great message, and gives the reader exactly what they want to feel. The ending (not to give it away!) provides that warm, fuzzy feeling inside that "just good books" bring to the round table of children's literature.
I recommend this book because I feel it suits a wide variety of age groups, it warms the heart of the audience, and it gives the reader exactly what they are longing for. This book is one that stands the test of time, as hope and kindness never go out of style!
The major theme(s) in "The Giant Hug" by Sandra Horning are:
1. Kindness: how one small act of kindness can have such a huge impact on community.
2. Hope: how hope is real and is a beautiful treasure; that there is beauty and light in the world.
I presented "The Giant Hug" by Sandra Horning with a 5/5 star rating because I absolutely adored this read! This is a book I most definitely would have loved to read, as a child myself. The simplistic sweetness of the storyline provides a soothing quality to the tone of the book. Having that hope that the kindness will travel so far across the globe, is a quality that good children's literature has.
Upon conclusion of this read, I am in love with "The Giant Hug" by Sandra Horning. Personally, I feel the book follows a great storyline, has a great message, and gives the reader exactly what they want to feel. The ending (not to give it away!) provides that warm, fuzzy feeling inside that "just good books" bring to the round table of children's literature.
I recommend this book because I feel it suits a wide variety of age groups, it warms the heart of the audience, and it gives the reader exactly what they are longing for. This book is one that stands the test of time, as hope and kindness never go out of style!
October 4, 2017
Summary: Owen’s wanted to send a big hug to her grandmother for her birthday through the mail. He went to the mail to send the really big hug and he made sure to show how the big hug was supposed to be by hugging the person at the counter receiving the mail. Since the mail had to pass through many persons before getting to her granny, every person needed to show the next person how the giant hug was supposed to be. When finally granny received the giant hug, she answered back to her grandson with a cute mail, so the process was done all over again until the grandson recieved the mail back.
Theme: The major themes of the story is that the best gifts cannot be seen or touched and that spreading kindness brings happiness.
Personal Response: This is for sure one of the best children’s book I have ever read. I felt so happy while reading this book, because I was able to see how spreading kindness can actually change a person’s day and how easily it can make someone happy.
Why I recommend this book: I would recommend this book because it shows the importance of kindness and it can motivate children to spread kindness with the people around them.
Theme: The major themes of the story is that the best gifts cannot be seen or touched and that spreading kindness brings happiness.
Personal Response: This is for sure one of the best children’s book I have ever read. I felt so happy while reading this book, because I was able to see how spreading kindness can actually change a person’s day and how easily it can make someone happy.
Why I recommend this book: I would recommend this book because it shows the importance of kindness and it can motivate children to spread kindness with the people around them.
December 8, 2019
4.5
Love the full commitment to exactly how many people would actually need to be involved to deliver this mail! Not to mention the good vibes that you feel as you enjoy the sweetest delivery being passed along. I imagine this is the best read at home with a little one at night :).
Love the full commitment to exactly how many people would actually need to be involved to deliver this mail! Not to mention the good vibes that you feel as you enjoy the sweetest delivery being passed along. I imagine this is the best read at home with a little one at night :).
April 5, 2020
A boy wants to send his Granny a hug who lives far away so he goes to the post office. The postman delivers the hug and then there is another hug all down the line until Granny gets her hug. Cute illustrations and cute ending!
August 19, 2020
Owen wants to send his granny a hug for her birthday — but not a picture of a hug. An actual hug! He gives a hug to the postman, who hugs the mail sorter, and the hug is passed along until it reaches Granny. I thought this book was sweet.
October 9, 2020
This book has caused me to lose sleep. It has upset me to no end. I feel as though the author is grooming children to accept being forced to hug and kiss their coworkers no matter how uncomfortable they may be about it. I will be suggesting that they pull it from our local library's shelves.
November 7, 2017
One of the most charming children's books I have ever read. We borrowed this from the library but will have to buy a copy because this is a forever book.
October 26, 2018
A cute idea, but I didn't seem to enjoy it as much as everyone else.
July 21, 2020
Wonderful Story
This is truly what the post office is like! The letter carriers love to help people they deliver mail to.
This is truly what the post office is like! The letter carriers love to help people they deliver mail to.
September 15, 2020
Súper cute book! Provides a concept of personal delivery and contact.
January 31, 2021
Give this book to Victoria the postal carrier. The perfect mailman book. So sweet, she should read it with her granddaughter!
Read
December 1, 2021delightful!
August 9, 2022
I bought this for a little girl, but after reading it decided to get her a better book.
Read
March 23, 2023I think this is a very cute and fun book but not very educational so I would include it in my library but wouldn't be a necessity.
June 23, 2023
May's Wheel of TBR 2023
Prompt: read a short book
Prompt: read a short book
September 20, 2023
Cute. I dont know about the kiss though.
August 7, 2024
I love how we see how one small act, passed on, can brighten many people's days.
February 21, 2017
I really loved this book! When I picked this book off the shelf and I looked at it, I knew that it would be one of those comforting books that make me smile. The book did exactly that! This book has a wonderful story to it and life lesson. The grandson wants the big hug to reach his grandma and so they pass the hug on until it reaches her. The books talk about how it made the animals happy to just receive a hug. One animal even said this wasn't his type of thing to give people hugs but he did it anyway and that shows a lot of character about someone! This book could teach students these life lessons too. I also loved the illustrations in the book and after I got done reading it, I smiled and I had a warm feeling rush through my body. I would for sure use this book in my classroom and I think it would be a good book to read when the class is out of control or when there is some type of tension going on.
February 9, 2017
Theme: This story embodies a theme of kindness and love.
Summary: Sweet Owen did not want to send his Granny any old birthday card in the mail. He wanted to send her a real, big hug! Owen started the chain of hugs with the mailman behind the counter at the post office, and instructed him to pass it along all the way to Granny. Hugs passed from acquaintance to acquaintance, stranger to stranger, and mailman to Granny. Days were made and joy abounded from the simple act of kindness Owen took to make his Granny's birthday special. Granny was even able to return a surprise favor all the way back to Owen!
Personal Response: I wish everyone had hearts like Owen! He made loving others look so simple. His attitude was contagious, and that is why every person along the way was inspired to pass along his hug. My favorite part of the story was seeing the expressions on each character's face in the pictures as they received a random hug.
Recommendation: I recommend this book for children ages 4 to 8. It is light-hearted and comical, yet warm and inspiring. Children will giggle at the silly characters and be amazed at how far a hug can make it across the country. Owen's thoughtfulness can be used to teach children about making others happy with kindness and love.
Summary: Sweet Owen did not want to send his Granny any old birthday card in the mail. He wanted to send her a real, big hug! Owen started the chain of hugs with the mailman behind the counter at the post office, and instructed him to pass it along all the way to Granny. Hugs passed from acquaintance to acquaintance, stranger to stranger, and mailman to Granny. Days were made and joy abounded from the simple act of kindness Owen took to make his Granny's birthday special. Granny was even able to return a surprise favor all the way back to Owen!
Personal Response: I wish everyone had hearts like Owen! He made loving others look so simple. His attitude was contagious, and that is why every person along the way was inspired to pass along his hug. My favorite part of the story was seeing the expressions on each character's face in the pictures as they received a random hug.
Recommendation: I recommend this book for children ages 4 to 8. It is light-hearted and comical, yet warm and inspiring. Children will giggle at the silly characters and be amazed at how far a hug can make it across the country. Owen's thoughtfulness can be used to teach children about making others happy with kindness and love.
Read
April 27, 2010Sandra Horning tells a story many children would love. A pig by the name of Owen is asked by his mother what he would like to give his Granny for her birthday. All Owen wanted to give her was a BIG hug! He didn’t want to draw her a hug, he really wanted to give her a hug so he hugs the postman and asks him to hug his Granny. The postman tells him he will not be the one giving the mail directly to his Granny but he would pass the hug along. Throughout the story the hug is passed on to several mailmen. When Granny receives her mail she receives a special delivery, a BIG HUG! Granny asks the postman to send her grandson a big kiss and kissed the mailman on the cheek. Owen receives one big kiss on his cheek!
April 22, 2014
A little boy wants to send a hug to his grandmother for her birthday. Instead of drawing a picture of himself with his arms wide open in the card he insists that he sends the hug through the mail. He starts off by giving a giant hug to the mail clerk at his post office and asks that he pass along. The giant hug is passed along at every step of the delivery til finally it reaches Granny. I like the artwork that was done in this book because it used many different animals in all shapes, sizes and colors. It is a great representation of people. This book would be good to be read in classroom because he it shows that something so small as a hug can change a person's day and attitude.
October 6, 2009
The book The Giant Hug has really good peri-text pages. Inside the front cover is the authors note and the author kind of hints at what the story is about but doesn’t come right out and says it. Then the next inside pages have stamps on them. It gives the reader a hint that the book has to deal with something with stamps and something with hugs. Then the title page has a picture of a letter being sent to a granny from Owen Kane. It is basically telling us what the characters in the book are named.
June 24, 2013
This is the cutest book! A little boy pig wants to send a real hug to his Granny for her birthday, and thus begins the whole process of sending it, via the mail clerk, the sorter, the airline pilot, and so on. Each one who handles the mail is a different animal, but the process does show every step that happens to our mail. And the hugs please everyone, sending good feelings all along the route! The illustrations remind me of the Little Bear books, and there’s a fun surprise at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews