FLYING EYE BOOKS, London, 2014
Winner of Read It Again!, Cambridgeshire Picturebooks Award, UK, 2015
Winner of Prix Versailles, Lire Au Jardin, Chateau de Versailles, France, 2015
Winner of the 2nd Annaual Type Book Awards, Canada, 2015
A Brain Picking’s Best Children’s Books of 2014
“This is one of the loveliest and heart-warming stories around, with gorgeous illustrations to boot. A wonderful picture book that deserves a spot on your bookshelves.” -Book Trust
“This is a really special read, beautifully illustrated, and laid out in a way to pluck perfectly at the heartstrings. A book to make you want to cuddle up and share a big hug with some small person that you love.” -Waterstones
“Hug Me‘s heartwarming plot, stunning visuals and genuinely funny cacti-based humour will leave you crossing your fingers, hoping that it becomes your child’s favourite book so that you have an excuse to read it over and over.” -Creative Safari
“A Sweet Celebration of Connection and Inner Softness in a Culture That Encourages Hard Individualism and Prickly Exteriors” -Brain Pickings
“Ciraolo is playful in a very Italian way” -The new York Times
“Ciraolo’s softly drawn cartoon cacti radiate charm—Felipe has a tiny pink flower on his head and a range of emotive expressions.” -Publishers Weekly”
“Young readers may identify with Felipe’s journey of finding friends in a challenging environment. His struggle is relatable and empathetic, and his delightfully illustrated character is welcoming and warm, despite his prickly exterior.” -Portland Book Review
“Hug Me is a lovely publication with a message about finding like-minded people and being yourself even when you don’t fit in. A fun book to read aloud and explore illustrations with children.” -Kids Book Review
“The lush, simple artwork cleverly hides what is a very mature story to tell.” -The Great British Bookworm
“Hats off to author and illustrator Simona Ciraolo, who has given the world its best drawing yet of a balloon with a face” – GQ Magazine
