Alex treasures the time he spends with Nico, his loyal and curious dog, who is always by his side. Day by day, Alex confides in Nico about his mother’s health challenges, sharing his concerns and hopes. Despite her illness, Alex witnesses the unwavering depth of her love, a love that remains constant, though gentle. This story explores themes of resilience and the quiet strength of love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Starting at a young age, kids pick up on cues that a friend or loved one isn’t feeling well. They make the connection between a cough or sneeze, which means a person is sick. That doesn’t mean they fully understand why mommy or daddy can’t play with them. In their eyes, parents are superheroes; nothing can keep them down for long. However, what happens when one day becomes two, two becomes three, and so on? Will their young mind understand why their parent isn’t getting better? Will their mood change? Kids are observant; they listen and see more than we realize. They catch whispered conversations. They notice a person is going to the doctor, sometimes a lot. They take notice of changed behavior and appearances. They may not fully grasp the root cause, but they know something isn’t right. That’s why we must include kids in the conversations and reassure them that they can talk to us about their feelings and that we’ll answer all their questions to the best of our ability.
Lily Guzmán beautifully explained what was happening to Alex’s mom and allowed us to view her “not-so-good days” through his eyes. When mom had a fever, Alex compared her body to the sun. A simile that kids of many ages can comprehend. When his mom was too tired to read a bedtime story, Alex explained to his best friend and dog, Nico, that he knew his mommy still loved them because she checked on them while they slept.
Love. Whether mom’s skin felt like it was being stung by a hundred ants or her legs felt like big balloons, Alex knew his mother loved him. Even when Alex couldn’t receive big bear hugs, he reassured himself and his furry companion that Mommy still loved them. Sickness can come in short-term bursts or long-hard battles. Our job is to share with our kid(s) what we believe they can handle at their age and reassure them that, through it all, they are loved. This story is an excellent demonstration of both.
Gentle Hugs is a touching picture book showing how love can be expressed, not only with words but also with our actions. The book is filled with lovely illustrations that vividly depict Alex’s journey and his mother’s battle with an illness. The heartwarming storyline moved me. I teared up at Alex’s observations and how he never once doubted his mother’s love. I recommend sharing this story with your child, especially if someone close to them is battling a health issue. It’s a beautifully crafted storybook that’ll leave a lasting impression on every reader, young or old.
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: 
1/2
(rounded to 5 stars on Amazon and Goodreads)
Meet the Author
Outside of her medical practice, she cherishes time with her family and her beloved dog, Nico. It was the comfort and companionship she found in Nico, along with the resilience of her patients facing chronic pain, that inspired her to write Gentle Hugs. The book serves as a heartfelt reminder that empathy and compassion, like any other qualities, need daily care to thrive.
Through her writing, she hopes to offer comfort and support to families facing similar challenges, particularly those affected by chronic illness. Gentle Hugs helps children understand the emotional complexities of having a loved one who struggles with health issues, while also reminding readers of all ages that love, empathy, and care can endure even on tough days. Lily hopes the book encourages a deeper sense of kindness and compassion in everyone who reads it.
