Home is a Hug

Home is a Hug is a beautiful book with an important message, bright colourful illustrations and clever lift the flap and peek through pages, encouraging the reader to discover hidden surprises and the joy this book brings.

Home is a Hug begins with some builders showing the reader the mechanics and materials which are used to build a home, with lots of small animals to discover in the illustrations. The reader then goes on a journey discovering lots of different homes from different cultures and animals, too.

The reader learns about the importance of home where we feel safe, and that wherever we go, our home travels with us. There are some fun double page spreads to explore with a huge red apple and some friendly worms, and lots of mischievous cats enjoying their homes too!

This book is a perfect book to support children understanding the importance of home and that we can always return here to enjoy its safety and comfort. Through this book children could explore animals homes, learn their names and also names of homes from different cultures and countries too. This book could be used to support work about homes and feeling safe, and can be used in PSHE lessons. A lovely book!

Picture book / Reviewed by Maria, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Home is a Hug by Cindy Wume is a gentle and imaginative picture book which begins by asking a simple but powerful question: What does it take to build a home?

At first, it seems like the answer might be bricks, concrete, windows, or walls, but as the pages unfold, children discover that a home can take many surprising shapes. Through colourful illustrations and playful lift-the-flap and peek-through pages, the story reveals homes hidden inside apples, umbrellas, cardboard boxes, cosy reading nooks, and finally, the warm comfort of a hug.

Each page invites young readers to explore, predict, and delight in the unexpected, creating a sense of wonder as they uncover what 'home' can truly mean.

Home is a Hug works beautifully in a Key Stage 1 classroom because it helps children think about belonging, safety, and the places that make them feel secure. Its simple text is accessible for early readers, while the interactive elements keep them engaged and eager to explore. The story is especially valuable for children experiencing change, such as moving house, starting school, or adjusting to new routines, as it gently reassures them that home is not just a building but a feeling they can carry with them.

In PSHE lessons, the book can spark thoughtful discussions about emotions, comfort, and the different ways people create safe spaces. It also lends itself well to creative activities in Art and Design, where children can imagine and draw their own special 'homes', whether real or imaginary. Altogether this really is a comforting book to have at home or in school.

Picture book / Reviewed by Louise Gahan, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+