From the bestselling author of Love Monster comes the irresistible story of one slug’s search for love in this endearing rhyming picture book perfect for Valentine’s Day! Doug the slug needs a hug. But who wants to hug a slug called Doug? After a long search for someone to snuggle, lonesome Doug is ready to give up hope. But you never know when love might come flying by! Young readers will love this funny and fabulous tale that shows there’s a friend for everyone. K-Gr 2-Doug the slug is in desperate need of a hug. But who will give him one? The ant says he's too "grimy, slippy" and the spider thinks he is "icky mucky." The worm feels that he is too "squelchy, slimy" and the bug thinks he is "yucky, sticky!" Even the snail, who is a lot like Doug, will not give him what he is looking for. What is a poor slug to do? The answer comes in the form of an unexpected friend, at an unexpected time. This funny picture book is a great reminder that friends come in all shapes and sizes. Using a bold palette that changes as Doug's feelings evolve, the illustrations really takes center stage. The animals are created using simple shapes, but the careful details in the eyes and lips add humor and character. The use of comic panels and dialogue bubbles is easy for young readers to navigate. The text relies on spare language and "feeling" words that will expand vocabulary. Rhyming couplets are used throughout, but not consistently; that might be most noticeable when reading aloud. VERDICT A succinct tale with a strong message about friendship, this book makes a nice addition to most K-2 collections.-Louie Lauerα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "A succinct tale with a strong message about friendship,." ― - School Library Journal "Sweet, reassuring fun—and a story to fully embrace." ― -- Kirkus "A succinct tale with a strong message about friendship,." ― - School Library Journal "Sweet, reassuring fun—and a story to fully embrace." ― -- Kirkus Rachel Bright is a bestselling author and illustrator, as well as being the brains behind the multi-million selling global card and gift phenomenon, the brightside. Her picture book hits include Love Monster , which has now been adapted into an irresistible TV series for CBeebies. She is also the author of a hugely popular picture book series, illustrated by Jim Field, whose titles include The Lion Inside , The Squirrels Who Squabbled , and The Koala Who Could (winner of the Sainsbury’s Book Award and the Oscar’s Book Prize). Rachel lives in Dorset, England. Nadia Shireen has been described as one of the “best and brightest picture book creators working in Britain today” ( The Observer , London). Her debut picture book  Good Little Wolf  received a mention in the BolognaRagazzi Opera Prima Award and won the UKLA Book Award. Other books include  The Bumblebear , which was distributed to over 700,000 children as part of BookTrust’s Time to Read campaign, as well as  Billy and the Beast  and  Barbara Throws a Wobbler . Nadia has been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Week Junior Book Award, the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards and the Books Are My Bag Reader Awards, and has been Writer-Illustrator in Residence for BookTrust.