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Table of Contents
About The Book
Celebrated artist and lead character designer of Brave, Ratatouille, and Despicable Me, Carter Goodrich, shows that sometimes, even the prickliest people—or the crankiest cacti—need a little love.
Hank is the prickliest cactus in the entire world. He sits in a pot in a window that faces the empty desert, which is just how he likes it. So, when all manner of creatures—from tumbleweed to lizard to owl—come to disturb his peace, Hank is annoyed.
He doesn’t like noise, he doesn’t like rowdiness, and definitely does not like hugs.
But the thing is, no one is offering one. Who would want to hug a plant so mean? Hank is beginning to discover that being alone can be, well, lonely.
So he comes up with a plan to get the one thing he thought he would never need: a hug from a friend.
Hank is the prickliest cactus in the entire world. He sits in a pot in a window that faces the empty desert, which is just how he likes it. So, when all manner of creatures—from tumbleweed to lizard to owl—come to disturb his peace, Hank is annoyed.
He doesn’t like noise, he doesn’t like rowdiness, and definitely does not like hugs.
But the thing is, no one is offering one. Who would want to hug a plant so mean? Hank is beginning to discover that being alone can be, well, lonely.
So he comes up with a plan to get the one thing he thought he would never need: a hug from a friend.
About The Illustrator
Carter Goodrich has illustrated sixteen New Yorker covers and was the lead character designer for Brave, Ratatouille (for which he won the International Animated Film Society’s Annie Award for character design), and Despicable Me. He has designed characters for many other beloved animated films, including Finding Nemo; Monsters, Inc; and Open Season. Of the films he has worked on, four have gone on to win Academy Awards. A Rhode Island School of Design graduate, he has twice been awarded the gold medal from the Society of Illustrators in New York. His picture books include We Forgot Brock!, Say Hello to Zorro!, Zorro Gets an Outfit, Mister Bud Wears the Cone, A Creature Was Stirring, and The Hermit Crab. Carter lives in Los Angeles, California. Be sure to visit Carter at CarterGoodrich.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 1, 2019)
- Length: 48 pages
- ISBN13: 9781534400900
- Ages: 4 - 8
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Raves and Reviews
"Dominated by subtle earth tones true to its desert setting, spare yet emotive watercolor art reveals how the cactus, with a small act of kindness, disproves the book’s title. In wryly understated words and pictures, Goodrich delivers a tale that is equally charming and droll—and a smart pick for cranky kids." - Publishers Weekly
"The sweet message of the power of a simple hug is only amplified by Goodrich’s soft, muted watercolors, the expressive facial features and body language of the little cactus, and the exaggerated profiles of the jack rabbit, the coyote, and the cowboy as they move across double-page spreads. This title will be an appealing read aloud as well as a perfect title to read when learning about the desert." - School LIbrary Connection
"Beautifully painted...in watercolors that capture the golden sands and sky fluctuating between peach-strawberry sunsets and crisp blue afternoons....Goodrich (We Forgot Brock!, 2015) delivers a funny story underscored by themes of friendship and kindness. An excellent storytime pick." - Booklist
Awards and Honors
- Kansas NEA Reading Circle List PrimaryTitle
- Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List
- South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee
- Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee (AZ)
- Golden Sower Award Nominee (NE)
- Keystone to Reading Book Award (PA)
- BRLA Southwest Book Award
- Magnolia Book Award Nominee (MS)
- Goldfinch Award Nominee (IA)
- Donna Norvell Award
Resources and Downloads
Activity Sheets
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Nobody Hugs a Cactus Hardcover 9781534400900
