Book Review
A short overview of this book
Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison & Daniel Wiseman is a wonderful book for young children for starting important conversations about bodily autonomy and consent.
This is what the Author has to say about this book…
Meet Doug, an ordinary kid who doesn’t like hugs, in this fun and exuberant story which aims to spark discussions about bodily autonomy and consent — from author Carrie Finison and the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of The World Needs More Purple People, Daniel Wiseman.
Doug doesn’t like hugs. He thinks hugs are too squeezy, too squashy, too squooshy, too smooshy. He doesn’t like hello hugs or goodbye hugs, game-winning home run hugs or dropped ice cream cone hugs, and he definitely doesn’t like birthday hugs. He’d much rather give a high five–or a low five, a side five, a double five, or a spinny five. Yup, some people love hugs; other people don’t. So how can you tell if someone likes hugs or not? There’s only one way to find out: Ask! Because everybody gets to decide for themselves whether they want a hug or not.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 3 to 6 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison & Daniel Wiseman from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue, where I’m here to help parents find an easier way to talk to their kids about love, sex, relationships, and growing up. Today, I want to review a book that many people have been raving about called Don’t Hug Doug: A Story About Consent by Carrie Finison and Daniel Wiseman.
First off, let me tell you, this book is a blast to read! It’s not your typical dry and educational book. It’s actually a lot of fun. It starts off by saying you can hug a plug, a bug, or even a slug, but guess what? Don’t hug Doug! He’s not a fan of hugs, and he’s pretty clear about it. No hugs, please!
Doug goes on to explain why he’s not a fan of hugs. They’re just too squishy and swooshy for his liking. But don’t worry, there are plenty of other things that Doug does like, and the book explores those too.
Now, I have to mention that the pages of this book can be a bit tricky to turn, but trust me, it’s worth it. The story continues with Doug rejecting hugs, even on his birthday. The book suggests different types of hugs like hello hugs or dropped ice cream hugs, but Doug still says no.
But here’s the thing, there is one hug that Doug does like. It’s a bedtime hug from his mom. And let me tell you, it’s just right. But hey, unless you’re Doug’s mom, you’re not getting that hug. So, please, don’t hug Doug.
I absolutely adore this book. It’s not only beautiful, but it also teaches an important lesson about consent. It encourages children to ask before hugging someone and shows them that not everyone likes hugs. It even includes different characters asking if they can hug Doug, and the answer is always a clear no.
The book also emphasizes that it’s important to ask before hugging anyone, even Doug’s pet potbellied pig. It’s all about respecting personal boundaries.
So, if you’re a grandparent or have a family member who may not understand that children have a say in these things, this book is perfect for you. It’s a great tool to read with your child and then share with others who may need a gentle reminder about consent.
I hope you find this review helpful. Cheers!
