Reviews

"A definite must-read, it is the type of story that children will grow to love, and, in turn, would read to their children in the future." - Vincent Dublado, Readers' Favorite:
Ozzy and the Prickly Huggles by Viki de Lieme is an incredible picture book about inclusion, friendship, confidence, self-love, and acceptance. Evolution may have endowed Ozzy the little hedgehog with prickly spines, but that doesn't stop his family from showering him with lots of hugs and cuddles. His mom never fails to make him feel unconditionally loved. But Ozzy soon learns that the world out there does not always share his family's idea of love and acceptance. A rabbit, a squirrel, and a guppy will give him a taste of harsh words that are bitter to swallow. Then, he stumbles upon a human boy who is, in all respects, entirely unlike him and the other animals he had encountered. Will this boy be any different?
In Ozzy's story, we learn that everyone is loved. This is one of the heartwarming lessons that reverberate throughout this charming picture book. Viki de Lieme provides a simple yet crisp description of the setting to give young readers a strong sense of the warm and cuddly world that Ozzy inhabits. Vividly illustrated by Manvi Semalty, the earthy colors provide a sharp focus on the animal subjects as some of the pages have a minimalist feel that also helps to emphasize the message.
As young children are highly impressionable, Ozzy and the Prickly Huggles is an ideal way to engage them in a fun reading activity while introducing them to the concept of acceptance and inclusion.