Gus the Pug Wants a Hug

By: Hassenfratz, Melanie R.

Gus the Pug wants a hug, but finding the perfect one isn't so easy.

With his loyal friend Sally the Seal tucked safely in his backpack, Gus sets off on an adventure to find just the right hug. Along the way, he meets a whole cast of animals-each one offering something a little different...but not quite what Gus is looking for.

A frog is too slippery.

A hedgehog is too prickly.

A bee is too small.

A giraffe is too tall.

A koala is too sleepy, a skunk is too stinky, and a turtle is just too shy.

After trying and trying, Gus begins to feel discouraged. Maybe the perfect hug doesn't exist after all...

But when he finally returns home, Gus is greeted by the ones who love him most-and in that moment, he realizes something important: the perfect hug was there all along.

Filled with gentle repetition, playful encounters, and a heartfelt ending, Gus the Pug Wants a Hug is a cozy and engaging read-aloud that children will want to hear again and again. At the same time, it naturally supports important social-emotional skills, helping young readers understand feelings such as patience, persistence, and navigating disappointment, plus what it means to feel safe and loved.

Perfect for ages 3-7, this story is ideal for bedtime, classroom read-alouds, and meaningful moments of connection...giving parents, teachers, and caregivers a simple, engaging way to talk about emotions, boundaries, and belonging.

Warm, comforting, and full of heart, this is a story that will leave kids smiling-and reaching for a hug of their own.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GW16W9V4
• ISBN13: 9798993532004
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Squishy Face Club Publishing
• Length: 38 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 2 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3