The Longer the Wait, the Bigger the Hug

McLaughlin, EoinEoin was born in Ireland and now lives in Peckham with his wife and their baby. When he's not hugging them, he's writing more stories. This is his debut picture book, with many more in the pipeline.Dunbar, PollyPolly Dunbar is one of the most popular illustrators working in the UK today. Her bestselling book, Penguin, won numerous awards including the BookTrust Early Years Award, the Nestlé Silver Children's Book Prize and the Red House Children's Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. She was also chosen as one of BookTrust's Ten Best illustrators.

Polly has illustrated books by David Almond, Michael Morpurgo and her mother, Joyce Dunbar. She is also the illustrator of The Hug and While We Can't Hug, written by Eoin McLaughlin and published by Faber. She created Tilly and Friends, now an animated series on CBeebies, and many of her other stories have been adapted for the stage. She is also co-founder of Long Nose Puppets, an award-winning theatre company. She lives in the Waveney Valley, Suffolk, with her family.

@pollydunbar

Everyone's favourite (socially distanced) characters return to help us through this challenging period.

Hedgehog is waiting for his friend Tortoise to wake up. But where is he and when will he wake?

Hedgehog's friends are all very lovely, but they just aren't as much fun at the beach, or at hide and seek, or at holding hands, or at hugs.

Tortoise begins to stir - the one boulder that Hedgehog didn't think he could lift to turn . . .

Tortoise has been dreaming of Hedgehog. And the hug that follows is their best yet!

A charming and touching new tale from the creators of the bestselling While We Can't Hug!

Everyone's favourite (socially distanced) characters return to help us through this challenging period.