Truman Toad and the Quest for the Perfect Hug [Forthcoming: April]
Truman Toad and the Quest for the Perfect Hug [Forthcoming: April]
Written by Oren Lavie
Illustrated by Anke Kuhl
A self-important but good-hearted toad, with an ample amount of self-love, discovers his love for others in this entertaining and charming picture book!
When Truman Toad—the most stubborn, perfectionist toad in Green Grove—wakes up one morning from a dream about the perfect hug, he knows exactly what he must do: find whoever is holding the other half.
With a charmingly witty text by author Oren Lavie and playful illustrations by beloved artist Anke Kuhl, Truman Toad and the Quest for the Perfect Hug is a delightful tale that reminds us that the best things in life will always take us by surprise!
ISBN: 978-1-59270-459-0 • 8.25” (W) x 11” (H) • 40 pages • HC
OUT APRIL 7, 2026! Please note that due to shipping costs, all the books included in the same order as Truman Toad and the Quest for the Perfect Hug will ship together in April.
REVIEWS
STARRED REVIEW! ★ "Kuhl’s visuals are an engrossing mix of William Steig’s and Arnold Lobel’s illustrations, with hijinks and hilarity apparent in the ridiculous assortment of different animals: a squirrel and a butterfly eagerly embracing; a snail and a mouse tentatively eyeing each other. Lavie’s prose is perfect in pitch, tone, and phrasing, as when an overexcited Truman sets off 'with the special grace of a toad.' A warm embrace of both story and image, this lesson in appreciating what you have delights in every way." —Kirkus Reviews
"I have decided that for the rest of my life, all I want to do is upload Truman Toad photos onto my blog. I want to make it my life’s work. I want to wallpaper my world in all things Truman Toad... I just love everything about this book SO much!" —Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (A School Library Journal blog)