by Viki de Lieme (Author), Manvi Semalty (Illustrator)

"Don't ever go near human beings," he remembered his mom warning him.

But Ozzy didn't want to exclude anyone because of who or what they were...

Ozzy was different, from the first moment of his spiky life.

In his prickly world, huggles and cuddles were abundant, everyone could be huggled, no matter how different they seemed."

Ozzy and the Prickly Huggles is a delightful picture book about inclusion, friendship, confidence, self-love and acceptance.

Ozzy's home life is full of cuddles, huggles and snuggles. Mom loves his prickly self and adores him unconditionally, but the real world is different. Out there, no one can imagine loving anyone so prickly.

Through fall and winter Ozzy searches for a new friend, someone who will love and accept him exactly the way he is. But the rabbit, squirrel, and Guppy don't understand - how can you cuddle and huggle a hedgehog?

At first Ozzy wishes he was different, someone else, someone softer. But he doesn't give up.

Ozzy's story is one of perseverance, courage, inclusion, and self-acceptance, teaching children to never ever give up on their dreams, and to love themselves and others exactly as they are.