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Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
Shmoopie: A Whole Hug Planet by Sharon Y. Edlin is about a teddy bear who does not look like other bears. The toy factory worker was on a marshmallow ball break, and Shmoopie got stuffed with too much fluff. Shmoopie now has an unusual shape and looks like a beanbag. In the store, the other bears made fun of Shmoopie, and the children rolled on and used him as a trampoline. Lulu enters the store, and she immediately chooses Shmoopie because of his uniqueness. With her mismatched clothes and Shmoopie’s unusual shape, they belong together. Shmoopie tries his best to be the perfect bear for Lulu, but she assures him he is precisely who he is supposed to be and is lovable just as he is. It is okay to be different, and being Shmoopie was more than enough.
Shmoopie: A Whole Hug Planet by Sharon Y. Edlin is a fun read and shows children that uniqueness is something wonderful. Themes of self-acceptance, courage, and belonging are woven through the plot and are handled with sensitivity. The illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and professional. They catch your eye and invite children to be active while reading. The writing style is engaging, warm, and playful. While reading the story, children can look for hidden dragonflies throughout the book. The lesson to learn from this book is that you must celebrate being different and not hide it. Everyone is unique, and you must embrace who you are. The story encourages kindness and acceptance of others, helping children understand that everyone deserves love and belonging. Kindness has the power to change how others see themselves.
