A book where the cactus is the main star? I hadn't seen that before. But a book about someone being "prickly" (get it? Prickly?) and wanting to be alone.....until they don't anymore? I have seen that.

The watercolor illustrations are a huge element that make this book worth reading. If the illustrations were more colorful (fitting a Southwest theme) it would have felt more obnoxious. I loved the subtlety. I loved all of the different characters that encounter our cactus friend.

It's a sweet book about showing love. ( )

The second of two books me and Mara read tonight (the first was Bashi, Baby Elephant). This was cute, and Mara enjoyed it. I did think... though, narratively, or underlying, theres kind of a dark message to this though.

One of the last sentences or thoughts or parts of the book (however you want to phrase it) the cactus says something like: "Well, its better to have somebody than nobody at all." (verbatim)

Which... just seems bleak, and also kind of sends the wrong message. I rather think my daughters (and myself actually), that I'd rather be HAPPY with MYSELF than to just settle for anyone, regardless of who/what/how they are. Theres millions of people, I could settle down with someone, but if their a jerk, or an asshole, or a prig, or whatever terminology you want to use, I'd rather be by myself, alone, potentially lonely, but at least happy; and that would be ultimately better than "being with anybody" for the sake of it.

I dunno, perhaps I'm reading too much into a children's book. *SHRUG* ( )

Eh? Cactus is grumpy and no one wants to be around him... because he's grumpy. And then he gets lonely because no one wants to be around him... so he changes? I dunno, I just found the rhetoric around feelings and whatnot not great or not nuanced or something here? There's a fine line between learning not to be a little shit (good) and learning to change yourself to suit other people's idea of what you should be (bad), and I just didn't like the way this navigated that line. YMMV. ( )

This picture book provided the central message that no matter if someone either physically or emotionally displays a rough exterior or demeanor, it is still important to understand that they are still individuals that share the same characteristics that you do. This is an excellent message for children, as it also emphasizes that those people may just be lonely and need some love and attention no matter how hard they may try to ward people off (who are trying to be friendly and helpful). In all, Nobody Hugs a Cactus tries to demonstrate to readers that everyone deserves a chance to experience friendship and love no matter how they look or behave. I thought that this message was cleverly embodied through a character that represents an overlooked and misunderstood individual/thing. Cactuses are well-known to be prickly and are they are in turn an undesirable plant for people to own and take care of. This story takes that stereotype and uses it to its advantage as it cleverly delivers the central message to its audience. This book, in all, pushes readers to broaden their perspectives, as it is the hope that they will find a “cactus” in their own lives and make an effort to be inclusive and friendly towards them. ( )

This must be part of the "I stretch my reading limits" review series. See, I... am not really a fan of Goodrich's picture books. They're just not my cup of tea (although I did like Hermit Crab). And I generally don't like books about loners that learn they really just need a hug by the end. But... this one turned out to be really cute and with a gentle, thoughtful message. Plus, I've been telling the kids stories about the time I picked prickly pears with my bare hands (do not do this) so I guess I have cacti on the brain.

Against a background of browns, fawn, golden, orange, and the pale blues of the sky, sits Hank. Hank is a cactus. He sits in a green bowl on a windowsill and meditates in the quiet and peace of the desert...

Augh! There goes a hare! And a tumbleweed! And a turtle! Hank gets more and more annoyed by each visitor, until a long-legged cowboy says maybe he needs a hug... "Too bad nobody hugs a cactus." Like most people, as soon as somebody says he can't have something, Hank kind of starts wondering if maybe... he does need a hug? And then Rosie the tumbleweed tumbles on by and Hank feels sorry for how rude he's been to her. So he finds a gift just for Rosie... and soon they are best friends and Hank finally gets his hug.

Verdict: A humorous and sweet story of a prickly character who finds out there is someone out there who will love him, prickles and all.

ISBN: 9781534400900; Published April 2019 by Simon & Schuster; Galley provided by publisher