Cuddle Monkey by Blake Liliane Hellman (review)

Hellman, Blake Liliane Cuddle Monkey; illus. by Chad Otis. Dlouhy/Atheneum, 2020 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-3117-1 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-3118-8 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys R 4-8 yrs

Lewis the monkey loves to cuddle, but this morning Mama and Papa are preoccupied with taking care of baby Owen, and then it's time for school. As the day goes on Lewis tries to get his cuddle fix from toys, stuffed animals, classmates, and a variety of educational professionals, but it seems his cuddling needs will never be met; Mama suggests he teach Owen how to cuddle instead, with mixed success, but eventually the baby's in bed and it's "cuddle time!" Lewis and his family are sock-monkey-adorable, rendered in shades of red and blue that blend seamlessly with Otis' digital paint backgrounds. Lewis' comically long arms stretch and squeeze to accommodate every cuddling prospect, and his hugging mishaps with the adults and inanimate objects in his life are sure to leave listeners giggling. Grownups will find themselves cracking up at Lewis' lack of patience and at artistic details such as the janitor's sign forbidding cuddles during work hours. The final page suggests that little Owen may turn out to be a decent cuddle partner, with some practice, of course. Reminiscent of Campbell's Hug Machine (BCCB 9/14), this is a sweet story for snugglebugs big and small; be prepared to share a hug or two after.