With 'Slug in Love' Rachel Bright gives us another wonderfully simple, yet heart-warming text, perfect for the younger end of the picture book market.

Doug needs a hug. But who wants to hug a slug? As Doug slides on, will he ever find someone to love him?

This text is simpler than Rachel Bright's other rhyming animals stories but no less delightful. However unappealing it is to hug Doug, this story proves that there is love out there for everyone - sometimes in the most unexpected of places- and that all Doug has to do is be himself.

There is lovely word play and repetition throughout this story which will allow little ones to join in and fill in the blanks. The illustrations by Nadia Shireen are delightful and bring a whole extra layer of fun to the text. It's super satisfying to see Doug get his happy end with an unlikely candidate and this will be a great story to share for Valentine's Day. Let's just hope that by the time this book is released, we are able to share in the hugs.

Slug in Love is a lovely story with cute illustrations. I read it to my 4 year old son and we both loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

This is one of those amazing children's books with cute illustrations and an important story. There are many Dougs out there, and yes, there is enough love for all the Dougs in the world! I like how the words rhyme; children will enjoy it a lot.

My grandchildren loved this book especially as they have a fascination with slugs and snails. Both the illustrations and rhythmic story worked brilliantly. The story evokes compassion for Doug the slug and all children love the prospect of a hug.

Doug is a slug who needs a hug. But who will love a slug? This is a super cute story with easy words that rhyme that kids can easily follow. The illustrations are bright and colorful and simple, so definitely a good picture book for small kids.

When two superstar kid's lit authors collaborate you know you're in for something special (think Imaginary Fred by Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers) and Rachel Bright's and Nadia Shireen's picture book, Slug in Love, has 100% confirmed this.

Irresistibly charming, Slug in Love is loaded with all the hugs, heart and humour you need to make a winning bedtime story. As always, Bright's rhyme is perfectly perfect and Shireen's illustrations are overflowing with personality.

Though Doug's not the first underrated children's book character ever to want a hug, he certainly is a charmer, albeit a slimy one. But it's this irresistible charm that will have young and old readers alike beaming till their cheeks ache and cooing till their hearts melt. And whilst I'm over the moon that Doug found love, I think we're all desperate to know if Gail the snail is destined for the veil! Here's hoping this isn't the last we see of dream duo Bright and Shireen.

I really loved this and can't wait to try it on children when that becomes possible again. The story is fun and perfectly matched by the bright and entertaining illustrations. Doug the slug is great and the final resolution of the tale was well done. I look forward to seeing the finished book.

Doug is looking for a hug. But he's a slug, so he's slippery, and slimy, and the other bugs aren't keen on getting too close to him. When Doug meets Gail the snail, it looks as if he might have found THE ONE. Surely, as an equally slippery snail, Gail is the one. Or is she? This fun, bright, upbeat picture book from Rachel Bright and Nadia Shireen is an absolute delight to read aloud. Rachel Bright's rhymes are bouncy and energetic, while Nadia Shireen's colourful illustrations of all the wonderful bugs are packed with humour and warmth. (We are a particular fan of Gail and her leopard print shell/red glasses combo!). This is the perfect picture book to buy for Valentine's Day - a true quest for love!

A cute story about a slug trying to find someone to give him a hug.
This had lovely illustrations and a nice little story. I read it with my almost 4 year old and would say that this is probably the upper age that would enjoy it, as it’s fairly short with little action. I’d read it again with my youngest when he is a little older, young children will enjoy the bright, bold pictures.

This was a really nice little book to read.

I loved the way that it was written and it had such a good flow to the story - we loved it!

The illustrations were great and when I read it with my daughter we both felt so sorry for the slug so we were very happy that he got the ending he did!

It is 5 stars from me for this one, a fun book to read with a good ending too - very highly recommended!

The Way Home For Wolf is one of my absolute favourite small children's books so I was really excited to get this one from netgalley.

It's super cute with lovely illustrations alongside really well done rhyming text and has a nice message for little ones too. Rachel Bright has cemented her place on my must read with the baby list with this one.

This is a great story about a sad slug called Doug, who wants a hug! The rhyming is fab and children (and adults) will love the illustrations. I particularly liked Gail the snail!

Will Doug find his hug and fall in love?
We all need a hug, but none of the bugs want to hug Doug, but will that change when he meets Gail the Snail?
Told with great use of rhyme and descriptive words, a great picture book to share.

Big big big fan of this book! It has simple and sweet rhyming text but the illustrations add a wickedly funny twist for the adults to enjoy. I just simply adored the amount of character that Nadia Shireen manages to get into the simple illustrations. Definitely a book I'll be adding to my reading aloud bag - it's a real treat!

Doug is a slug in need of a hug.
Sadly, people dislike slugs and won't give them hugs.

This was adorable and I liked the ending very much because it says there are different kinds of love, and when you set out you might not find whatever you're looking for but see, there are other ways to be happy! Be you! Nobody is too weird to find friends!

Would pass this on to a toddler in my life if I had a toddler in my life.

The arc was provided by the publisher.

Review to come January 7th to blog/Goodreads. To Amazon when it is released.

I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

I admit, I was looking a bit funnily when I saw the title of the book. Slugs in love? Slugs aren't really my favourite creatures, and one in love sounds weird. But I still couldn't resist, and I do love reading some very random books so requesting it was. And here I am. Reading it. 

Meet Doug, who loves chocolate ice cream (good choice, good choice) and hugs (another fab thing). But we quickly find out that no one would want a hug from a slug. Which, I am sorry to say, I can kind of understand. Slugs are quite slimy and not very huggable. But I still felt sad for him, because everyone in the world deserves a hug. No matter how slimy they may be. Yes, I wouldn't hug a slug, but I am sure there is someone and I was eager to see who would want to be with Doug.

We see various insects that have all the reasons not to hug Doug, but then he meets another snail (whose name and house I loved, come on, if I was a slug I would so have a house like that) and you would think that it may work out... well I am not telling. *sticks out her tongue* 

The ending made me quite happy. That last image, AWWWW, weird but cute. 

Yes, this was a weird book, but I did quite enjoy it! The art was nice as well!

All in all, if you like slugs, or you like weird books, be sure to check out this one!

This is just what you need if you're looking for a fresh, fun short story that will push away the grey days & make everyone smile.

Have you ever thought of a slug needing a hug? Do they hug each other in real life? Who will hug Doug?
Doug looks around for a friend to hug but not everyone is so keen.
He meets a snail called Gail & they share adventures, but will she be the special one?
How will Doug make friends? Does everyone judge him for being a slug?
A super, rhyming story by Rachel Bright will bring some extra fun & a gentle, positive message to reading time. The illustrations by Nadia Shireen have their own unique style - a mix of big bold visuals & characters with wonderful use of colour & colour combinations. They're a joy to look at & will give plenty to talk about long after you've finished the story.

We loved it!

Slug in Love is a funny, heartwarming rhyming story about a slug called Doug who wants a hug. My four year old laughed throughout and really enjoyed the simple rhyming used. It is ideal for preschoolers and those currently learning phonics. The illustrations are vibrant and perfectly suited to this funny tale. Loved it!

Lovely short, rhyming story that all younger children will love!
Add in vibrant, colourful illustrations and you have yourselves a winner.
Great fun!

How to write an alluring book for children: Take a simple story with a sweet protagonist, add rhymes that are easy to follow for children and garnish with brightly-coloured images. Simples!
Loved Doug The Slug and also instantly knew that Gail The Snail wasn’t the one for him (mean eyes!). Glad he found love ...oops spoiler alert.