Reviewed by Dannielle Viera
When the smallest things make the young protagonist anxious – such as a rainy day, going to school and shifts in routine – she knows that she will be okay because hugs from her Mum, Dad and best friend ‘still feel the same’. But when her street becomes flooded and her family has to evacuate, how will she cope? She soon realises that even when a tsunami of change transforms her life, the heartfelt embrace she receives from her family will always support and sustain her.
Kiralee Strong’s story flows effortlessly thanks to a melodic mixture of prose and poetry. Kids aged four to eight will identify with the worries that the protagonist has in the beginning, and consequently they will understand the deep unease that sweeps over the girl when her home is washed away. Despite the natural disaster, positivity ripples across the pages – connection is the girl’s anchor in the tempest.
Moody muted hues sluice the spreads, matching the stormy atmosphere in which the story is set. However, Jenni Barrand offers splashes of hope with brighter colours: the girl’s rich red teddy, flaming orange hair and cheerful yellow raincoat, as well as a pastel rainbow that arches with optimism across the final page.
Adjusting to new and different circumstances can be difficult for youngsters, but Hugs Still Feel the Same offers a comforting space to explore feelings of angst and alarm. The gentle tale tackles the subject with great tenderness, ensuring that it will become a treasured tome in any child’s library.
