You guys! Today is the most exciting of days. For today is PUBLICATION DAY for my new picture book called HUG MACHINE!!
That is right! HUG MACHINE is out today in stores all over the place. Whatever store carries books near you will probably have it today! This is incredibly exciting for me because this will be the first picture book in which I have both written the words AND drawn the pictures. An exciting milestone, my friends.
HUG MACHINE is the story of a child who is super down with hugging. He is the self-proclaimed Hug Machine and he is very excited to tell everyone about it. He is very good at hugging and he is not shy to show the world. He is ready for you to watch how amazing he is at hugging…

He hugs people…

But he also hugs things! Nothing escapes. Nothing.

He even solves problems with his hugs…

Sometimes he comes up against some real tough hugs. Hugs that would make others give right the heck up and turn away…

But the Hug Machine does not back down ever…

I won’t tell you what happens here, but i’ll bet you can take a wild guess…

And of course, there is a spread with a lot going on and a dotted line trail for you to follow the Hug Machine’s exploits. Because i love spreads like that. I am just so into them…

And if you, the reader, need a hug? The Hug Machine will hug you. Do not worry!

So go check it out, you guys! I am so excited. I hope you like it and spread the word for this little guy because he reeeeeally wants the world to know that he is amazing at hugging. It is important for everyone to know how good he is at it!
And to celebrate this momentous occasion, we have made this little hug workout video to help everyone prepare to hug the heck out of everything this week! When you bring the book home, you will be glad that you have this little workout to keep your hugging energy in tip top shape…
BOOK TOUR! I will be posting more about my touring schedule soon. One thing I can tell you about is HUG A BOOK WEEK taking place Sept 6 – 13th. I can also tell you about the launch party/exhibition for the book at Gallery Nucleus on September 6th!

HUG A BOOK WEEK - Sept 6 – 13th
Are you a teacher? a librarian? Do you have a bookshop? Or do you just have some kids that you are excited about? Hug A Book Week will be a super exciting time for everyone! You can find out more at HugMachineBook.com. There are activities you can print out and other exciting things. Go check it out.

HUG MACHINE Exhibition and Launch Party - Sept 6 – (Alhambra, CA)
We will be having a party and exhibition at Gallery Nucleus on Sept 6th. It will be just a wonderful time. I will be reading the book, doing some demos and signing books. The night of the opening should be a really fun time.
OPENING NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
- 6-7pm: Read, color and hugs-ercise with Scott!
- Free admission
- Hourly raffle prizes
- Complimentary refreshments including pizza!
- Hug obstacle course and photo-op!
So go out and hug some things today! And get that book to read to your loved ones. If you are too nervous to hug someone, perhaps just reading this book to them will do the trick.
yay! oh, man!!