The Hug Button

Matilda is really excited about starting at The Meadows…until it comes to saying goodbye to Mummy. The next day parting with her is even harder so Mummy draws a hug button on Matilda’s wrist, something to help her cope with her feelings.

Heart-warming and positive, ‘The Hug Button’ is the perfect story for sharing with anyone who is worried about separation.

Whilst encouraging resilience, the story validates Matilda’s feelings, showing it is natural to feel anxious in new situations and be reluctant to part from loved one, before offering a sweet coping strategy which could easily be adopted by any reader feeling daunted at being separated from a loved one. The story cleverly anticipates the potential for over-reliance on the ‘hug button’ by showing how Matilda copes when hers washes of when playing in the water tray. The idea that ‘love is always being there, even when you’re not together’ is such a powerful one, designed to offer comfort. Matilda has her ups and downs during the day, but she copes with each new challenge, reassuring children that they too will manage in new situations.

The delightful illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to the text as they capture the whole range of emotions experienced by Matilda- and her mother- offering plenty of places for readers to pause and discuss these feelings and ways of managing them. A real must-have to share with any little one preparing to navigate their own way through a new situation.

The Hug Button

Naomi Jones, illustrated by Rebecca Ashdown

OUP ISBN: 978-0192794826

You can read my review of ‘One More Try’ here.