WILLIE'S NOT THE HUGGING KIND

Because his friend Jo-Jo thinks it's silly, Willie announces to his affectionate family that he doesn't want to be hugged anymore. Soon he's suffering from an acute case of hug deprivation. He tries substitutes--a tree, a bike, a bath towel--but finally breaks down and puts his arms back around his mother and father. The fairly long, colloquial text (""That's alright,"" says Willie's mother, ""It's them that don't get hugging who think it's silly"") is printed in comfortably large type and accompanied by glistening, full-page color paintings; Willie bears a wistful expression while his family and friends fairly shine with good cheer.