THE HUFFALOTS

When Mum wakes her children, she finds that little Huffalots have replaced them.

Mornings are hard. The kids don’t want to get up, but they don’t want to stay in bed. They don’t want to get dressed, but they don’t want to stay in their nightclothes either. And without a doubt, “they don’t like each other.” There is a way to handle Huffalots, though, and it starts with breakfast. Slowly, with a bit of help from each other, the two little Huffalots become Huffalittles and eventually Lovealots. They play delightedly together and give each other flowers and feathers and hugs. But most importantly, they give “lovely cuddles.” By the end of the day, Mum has exhausted herself and has become a bit of a Huffalot herself. Can the children use what they learned today to help Mum find her inner Lovealot? A soft, pastel palette and attention to detail bring to life the children’s world, as they are the center of the story. The kids’ faces reflect their changing feelings, going from squinty scowls to smiles to broad grins, helping young readers to identify emotions. Readers will notice the children managing their emotions and helping each other to have a good day—an empowering sight. The book’s British origins show in cadence and some vocabulary choices. Family members appear White. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.25-by-19.5-inch double-page spreads viewed at 52% of actual size.)

A sweet, quiet book to help kids learn that as fast as feelings come, they can also go.