Hugsby

At the local shelter’s “Monster Adoption Special,” Shelly falls for Hugsby, a pink, plump creature with tiny fins for ears. Though Hugsby can bake cookies and draw pictures, he doesn’t have any flashy talents in his repertoire—he’s even a bust at blowing bubbles. Shelly insists that she loves him “anyway,” but she worries he’ll be outshone at her school’s Pet Monster Show-and-Tell Day. Sure enough, other kids’ monsters have talents that include magic tricks and triple backflips. But Hugsby proves he has his own level of star power when he eagerly dispenses “the best hugs” to the entire class. Debut author-illustrator Phumiruk’s story has a leak or two: surely baking cookies is a skill—in fact, one kid brings an “invisible monster who bakes.” But Phumiruk shows lots of promise, especially in her spot illustrations—even her endpaper images are funny and rich in character. And Shelly’s deeper appreciation for Hugsby’s capacity to be loyal, patient, loving, and kind is no small thing. Ages 3–7.[em] Agent: Deborah Warren, East/West Literary. (Nov.) [/em]