In I Need a Hug, a tiny porcupine just wants a cuddle. All of the other animals turn him away because of his prickly spikes. But finally the porcupine meets an animal who’s happy to hug — a snake!Rich with author-illustrator Aaron Blabey’s signature rhyming text and unforgettably splendid illustrations, I Need a Hug is a sweet story about friendship and learning not to judge a book by its cover. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day that requires a hug!
I Need a Hug
(9781338297102)
Written & illustrated by Aaron Blabey
Published by Scholastic Press
Theme/topic: Friendship
Suggested learning area: ACPPS003 (Health and Physical Education – Foundation), ACPPS017 (Health and Physical Education – Year 1,Year 2),
This heartwarming and humorous story is about a porcupine seeking affection despite being rejected by other animals due to its prickly quills. Through its simple yet engaging narrative, the book fosters discussions about practising personal and social skills, such as expressing needs, wants, and feelings to interact positively with others (ACPPS004 – Foundation Year, Health and Physical Education). Additionally, it encourages children to explore strategies they can use when they feel uncomfortable or need help with a task, problem, or situation (ACPPS017 – Years 1 and 2, Health and Physical Education). With charming rhymes and expressive illustrations, I Need a Hug is a delightful resource for teaching kindness, self-expression, and emotional resilience.
Curriculum Alignment:
- These AC codes are suggested purely based on the book’s content and are provided for reference only.
ACPPS003 8.4 (Health and Physical Education Foundation): Identify people and demonstrate protective behaviours and other actions that help keep themselves safe and healthy
• identifying characters in different texts who help the main character to stay safe and healthy
• identifying knowledge, skills and understandings that can help keep them safe and healthy
• identifying different relationships they have with people and which of these relationships make them feel loved, safe and supported
• naming trusted people in their community who can help them stay safe and healthy, and practising ways of asking for help in a range of different scenarios
• suggesting safe places at home, at school, while playing or while shopping and identifying what makes those places safe
ACPPS017 8.4 (Health and Physical Education Year 1,Year 2): Practise strategies they can use when they feel uncomfortable, unsafe or need help with a task, problem or situation
• identifying and rehearsing strategies they can use when requiring assistance, such as asking an adult, reading basic signs and solving a problem with friends
• locating and recording phone numbers of local organisations they can contact in case of emergency and rehearsing a phone call to triple zero
• identifying situations that require the help of emergency service
• recognising photos and locations of safe places and a network of people who can help
• describing warning signs (physical, emotional and external) that can help them to know if they are safe or unsafe
