Review - Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug
by Jonathan Stutzman
illustrated by Jay Fleck
Date: 2019
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

Tiny T. Rex has a HUGE problem. His friend Pointy needs cheering up and only a hug will do. But with his short stature and teeny T. Rex arms, is a hug impossible? Not if Tiny has anything to say about it! Join this plucky little dinosaur in his very first adventure—a warm and funny tale that proves the best hugs come from the biggest hearts. Introducing an unforgettable character on the picture book scene, Tiny T. Rex will stomp into the hearts of readers in this winning new series.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

While Tiny's motivations are sweet and the pictures are adorable, this book just didn't capture me the way I thought it might. Basically, we find out that Pointy (another dinosaur) is feeling sad. So Tiny decides he needs a hug. The only problem is, Tiny's arms are way too short to give proper hugs. He goes around to his family members, asking what he should do. They give varying advice, but his siblings seem to have the best idea: practice. After practicing his hugs on various objects, Tiny accidentally hugs the wrong thing and ends up... well, carried away. But it all works out in the end.

I think part of the problem I have with this is that we don't know if Pointy even wants a hug. Some people don't like to be touched, and unsolicited hugs when you're already feeling rotten aren't going to be that welcome. I think there needs to be a discussion here about consent. Tiny should've asked Pointy if he wanted a hug. Otherwise, it's kind of sending a bad message.

Overall, this isn't that great. I do like the illustrations, though.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 2/5

Overall: 3 out of 5