One More Hug

TV personality Alexander makes her children’s book debut with a story about a parent’s bottomless reserves of love for a child. The mother of a bumptious boy watches him grow and become increasingly self-assured and independent, part of a bigger world of friends and school. Along the way, a little extra reassurance from his mother—“one more” hug, kiss, or squeeze—makes all the difference in uncertain moments. Time flies (“and before long” is a recurring phrase here), and the child goes from outgrowing his superhero pajamas to riding his bike “without any help” to driving off in a packed-up car. Mom is allowed some wistful gazes as she steps away from the center of her son’s life, and even a soupçon of self-pity (“If you knew how proud you made me... if you knew you were still my boy, now and forever”). Airy, buoyant gouache illustrations by Nakata (Not That Tutu!) record the moments, large and small, of the relationship, and readers of all ages will be heartened to see how the creators bring it all home, literally and figuratively, at the end. Ages 4–8. [em](Nov.) [/em]