We do indeed! David Melling's latest Hugless Douglas book went 'on tour' recently, and Charlotte got the chance to meet the huge 8ft tall huggable bear on a very hot summer's day. We also got to meet David Melling too, which was a bonus as he's a local and somehow our paths hadn't crossed up till then.
So about this book then! Hugless Douglas is going on a bear hunt! No not hunting for bears but a bear hunting for his best friend. Along with sidekick Flossie the Sheep, Douglas hunts high and low, far and wide, and everyone else in the land seems to have a best friend - except Douglas.
Slightly sad and dejected, Douglas doesn't realise that sometimes the very thing you're looking for is right under your nose (Yes mum I remember you telling me this enough times, and yes you were usually right!)
I put Charlotte on the spot with this one and asked her if she remembered meeting Douglas. "Silly Daddy!" she said "Of course I remember meeting Douglas!" I'd always assumed that she found Hugless a bit less endearing than David Melling's other books (she absolutely LOVES The Scallywags) but I think Hugless Douglas is the sort of children's character that endures, can stand up to starring in many, many stories, and is always regarded fondly. There's a lot to be said for children's characters who are huge, perhaps a little bit clumsy at times, but utterly and brilliantly fantastic at giving hugs and there's really none better than Hugless Douglas.
Charlotte's best bit: All the different ways of hugging! Hooray!
Daddy's favourite bit: As ever, I'm green with envy at David Melling's ability to produce the most beautiful linework in his illustrations - and of course some of the best (and funniest) animal characters you'll find in children's books today.
(Kindly sent to us for review by Hodder Children's Books)