Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Hug me, a book review and garden mystery...

Some of you might remember a post I did back on June 11th, about a bookstore in Canada that Andrew had found online and we hoped to visit (if you didn't see that post click on that link, it's wonderful!). I never made it out to Type Books but Andrew did and he bought me this...

Which I intended to write about, but hadn't gotten around to. Then, while intensively watering the garden in preparation for our ongoing June heatwave, I saw this - my own, real-life, replication of the book cover!

Who is that little guy and how did he get there? I might have grown an Opuntia there in the past, that died, but I don't think so. No seeds have been scattered, it's a mystery...

So the book, well it's a treasure. Here's one half of the front endpapers. It's a family tree on an Opuntia (!!!). There's Auntie Opuntiae and Unclelus Notocactus, and in the center Cacti Manor. It continues onto the other half, which I didn't scan.

Felipe is the book's hero character, and the little cactus on the cover of the book (shown at the top).

Here's Felipe in his own, private, home - after he was banned from Cacti Manor. Since he learned to enjoy his own company, and nobody else's, he wanted to make sure trespassers got the hint and stayed away, hence the threat to be "prickled."

I'm purposely not giving much more away, Hug Me is a delightful book with gorgeous illustrations by Simona Ciraolo - check it out! And the next time we have a young visitor I can't wait to grab it and share it with them.

Oh, and now I've got my own cactus named Felipe...

All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Scans of Simona Ciraolo's illustrations and text for Hug Me used my permission from Flying Eye Books. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

23 comments:

  1. Now you just need to add a tiny "trespassers will be prickled" sign to stick next to your Felipe!

    Cute book! Love the family tree... I think it's the color palette. So nice!

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    1. As fun as that would be it does seem a little like inviting trouble. We do live on an active street. As for the book you're right, the color palette does really add to the charm.

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  2. Oh, that looks like the cutest little book. I need a sign that says "trespassers will be prickled" for my gravel garden.

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    1. Indeed, your gravel garden would be perfect for such a sign.

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  3. having nothing to read for the upcoming trip I did go out and buy a mystery by one of our Texas writers. This came a few days too late but should be right up my gravel garden.

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    1. I can see you enjoying reading this one with your grandkids (if I'm remembering their ages at all correctly) but if it's just you I wouldn't take it on a trip. You'd be done too fast! (it's really a kids book, and a small one at that).

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  4. What a perfect gift from your thoughtful husband! The book sounds delightful.

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  5. On my Amazon wish/want list -- looks wonderful! I also love the 'trespassers' sign :~)

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  6. Ahww that's really sweet! And you'll always think of Felipe's story whenever you see this opuntia :)

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  7. Hahaha, I love Felipe!!! he is so sweet :)

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    1. Until he plants a glochid in your finger! Oh wait, were you talking about the book Felipe?

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  8. Replies
    1. The book? Or the opuntia? (or both!)

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    2. All of it! Haha. The book is adorable, and your little Felipe is also.

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  9. How sweet that you have your very own surprise Felipe! The book looks wonderful!

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    1. It is, like I've said before...why do the kids get all the really fun books?

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  10. I imagine Opuntias must be greatly hug-deprived.

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