???? Kids Book Read Aloud: WHILE WE CAN’T HUG by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar

Alphabets Sounds Video

share us on:

In the lesson “While We Can’t Hug,” Ani introduces young readers to the story of Hedgehog and Tortoise, two friends who find creative ways to express their love for each other despite being unable to hug. With the help of Owl, they discover various fun methods to show affection, such as waving, dancing, and sending letters, emphasizing that love can be shared in many ways, even from a distance. The lesson concludes with a reminder that connection and care can thrive, regardless of physical barriers.
  1. How can we show our friends we love them without hugging?
  2. What fun things did Hedgehog and Tortoise do to show they care?
  3. Why is it important to find different ways to show love?

???? Kids Book Read Aloud: WHILE WE CAN’T HUG

Hello, Reading Friends!

Hi there! I’m Ani, and I’m so happy you’re here to read with me. If you love stories, make sure to join us every time!

Special Hellos!

Today, I want to say a big hello to Emmerich and Elodie in San Francisco, California; Sahana and Sudart in Bangalore, India; Mirko, Nora, and Beppe on the island of Malta; and Miral and Lorraine in Dubai. Hello to all of you! I love our big reading family from all around the world.

Are You Ready for a Story?

Today, we have a special book called “While We Can’t Hug.” It’s all about how we can show love even when we can’t be close. If you have the book, grab it and read along with me!

Meet Hedgehog and Tortoise

Hedgehog and Tortoise are the best of friends. They really want to give each other a big hug, but they can’t touch right now.

Owl’s Great Idea

Owl tells them, “Don’t worry! There are lots of ways to show someone you love them.”

Fun Ways to Show Love

Hedgehog waves, and Tortoise smiles. Tortoise makes a funny face, and Hedgehog laughs. They write letters to each other. Tortoise dances, and Hedgehog joins in. Hedgehog blows a kiss, and Tortoise catches it and sends three back!

More Fun Together

Tortoise sings a song, and Hedgehog plays along. They paint pictures to show everyone they are friends.

Love Through Rain and Shine

Even though they can’t hug, Hedgehog and Tortoise know they are loved. There are so many ways to show we care, even from a distance!

Goodbye for Now!

I hope you loved the story today. Remember, there are lots of ways to show love. See you next time!

  • Can you think of a time when you wanted to give someone a hug but couldn’t? What did you do instead to show them you care?
  • Hedgehog and Tortoise found fun ways to show love without hugging. What are some creative ways you can show love to your friends or family when you can’t be close to them?
  • Why do you think it’s important to find different ways to show love and friendship? How does it make you feel when someone shows they care about you?
  1. Love Letters: Encourage the children to write or draw a letter to someone they care about. Provide them with colorful paper, crayons, and stickers. Ask them to think about what makes that person special and how they can express their feelings through words or drawings. Afterward, discuss how receiving a letter can make someone feel loved and appreciated.

  2. Expressive Faces: Have the children practice making different facial expressions that show emotions like happiness, surprise, or love. Use a mirror so they can see their faces, and then ask them to guess each other’s expressions. Discuss how we can communicate our feelings without words and how these expressions can show someone we care.

  3. Nature’s Gifts: Take the children on a short walk outside to collect small natural items like leaves, flowers, or stones. Once back inside, help them create a small gift or picture using these items. Talk about how giving a small gift, even something from nature, can be a way to show love and appreciation for someone special.

Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:

Hello, my reading friends! It’s Ani. I’m so glad you’re here. If you enjoy reading stories with me, be sure to subscribe!

All right, today’s shout-outs go to Emmerich and Elodie in San Francisco, California; little Sahana and Sudart in Bangalore, India; Mirko, Nora, and Beppe on the island of Malta; and Miral and little Lorraine in Dubai. Hello to all of you! I just love our great big international reading family.

Are you ready for a story? Well, today we have a timely book that’s very relevant to how we’re living as we shelter at home. It’s called “While We Can’t Hug.” If you have a copy, go get it so you can read along with me.

[Music]

“While We Can’t Hug” by Owen McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar.

Hedgehog and Tortoise were the best of friends. They wanted to give each other a great big hug, but they weren’t allowed to touch.

“Don’t worry,” said Owl. “There are lots of ways to show someone you love them.”

Hedgehog tried to wave, and that made Tortoise smile. Tortoise made a funny face, which made Hedgehog laugh. Hedgehog wrote a letter, and Tortoise wrote one back. When Tortoise did a little dance, Hedgehog joined in too.

Hedgehog blew a kiss across the gap between them. Tortoise saw it, caught it, and kept it, then sent three back again. Tortoise sang a little song, and Hedgehog played along. They both painted pictures so that everyone would know they were friends.

Through rain and shine, they could not touch, they could not hug, but they both knew that they were loved.

There are a lot of people we love but have to keep our distance from right now. Thank goodness there are so many wonderful ways to show we care.

I hope you enjoyed our story today. See you next time!

This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any informal or unclear phrasing.

All Video Lessons

Login your account

Please login your account to get started.

Don't have an account?

Register your account

Please sign up your account to get started.

Already have an account?