What if you were out of hugs and had to go to the store to get more? In The Hug Store, five-year-old Shana is asked by her Grandfather for a hug. Shana replies that she is all out of hugs and tells her Grandfather she has to go to the store to get more. In this heart-warming children’s book is inspired by a true story, Shana embarks on a journey of self-discovery, finding some of the greatest gifs we have within us as well as a powerful capacity for love. Fortunately, we don’t really have to buy hugs at the store, and in fact, giving and receiving hugs is important for our physical and emotional health.
The Hug Store is Rick Morrison’s first book. He co-authored it with his daughter, Shana Morrison, who is the inspiration for the story. Yet it is far from his first excursion into exploring the themes of conscious parenting. Rick is a frequent public speaker and writer with a commitment to well-being through conscious parenting, ethical business, community engagement, and teaching workshops (including hugging playshops). In these pages as well as all of his work in the world, Rick reveals his heartfelt belief in the power of connection.
The father-and-daughter writing team collaborated with illustrator Sonia Goyal to create the engaging and friendly watercolor-inspired images of a loving family. The entire book is a gorgeous interpretation of the important message found here: Hugs are a renewable resource, our love is limitless, and our commitments to connection are vital to our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health and well-being.
In addition to the story, Rick includes accessible information on the health benefits of hugging as well as a set of discussion questions to engage kids, including when and who to hug. The Hug Store is a beautiful and thought-provoking book that is a welcome addition to every family’s bookshelf and bedtime reading session.
For more information, visit www.thehugstorebook.com
Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.