View source for No More Cuddles! by Jane Chapman

{{infobox
|title=No More Cuddles!
|author=Jane Chapman
|reviewer=Ruth Ng
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Fluffy, snuggly-wuggly cuddliness galore!  One to cosy up together to read.
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=32
|publisher=Little Tiger Press
|date=July 2015
|isbn=9781848691476
|website=http://www.chapmanandwarnes.com/
|video=
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848691475</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>1848691475</amazonus>
}}


Ah, what a problem it can be, to be just so snuggly that people can't stop cuddling you!  This is poor Barry's problem.  A solitary monster by nature, he does like cuddles of course, but too much of anything can become trying, and so when he is leaped on by all the other little forest animals every single morning, he wonders if perhaps there is some way to transfer their cuddles to someone else?

This is one of those very simple, easy to follow picture books that has both a funny story and lovely illustrations.  I'm a fan of Jane Chapman's art already as she always creates such sweet animals, and in this story the words and pictures compliment each other very well.  Barry, although a monster, is very endearing and not at all scary.  His little cuddle problem is a funny one, and children will enjoy following along to see the different animals Barry looks at as a potential cuddle replacement.  The story ends delightfully too, since Barry's problem is solved by accident when too much cuddling topples him over into a murky, smelly swamp!  Suddenly all the little bunnies and squirrels (who are also covered in muck!) no longer want to cuddle Barry as all his fluffiness is gone!

My favourite illustrations in the story all include the bear, because I do love a good bear, but I did like Barry very much too and thought he was very expressive, so it's easy for little ones to interpret how he is feeling.  All of the animals are beautifully done, and I like the lush green forest that they live in.  It works well read aloud, and would be a good story time book for preschools and nurseries as the lovely pictures are large and still easy to see if gathered around in a group.  It is also, of course, a sweet one to share just one-to-one, having your own cuddle time (and discussing why finding a swamp to jump in is great for a monster, but perhaps not the best idea for a three year old…!)  Perfect for bedtimes, or afternoon snuggle times.

Further reading suggestion: For more cuddly fun try [[One More Hug For Nutmeg by Caroline Jayne Church]] and [[Where's My Cuddle? by James Mayhew]] or [[Me and You by Janet A Holmes and Judith Rossell]].

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