He worked as a cel renderer and background artist in several animation studios before he began illustrating children’s books. The story has vocabulary enrichment for emergent readers; the illustrations are sweet and pleasantly warm.

A fairly entertaining story, though with a slightly questionable message about consent (he hugs the sheep even though they tell him they don't want him to! It isn’t until the end of the book that we find out that Douglas is actually a young bear, and he couldn’t find the right hug because his mom hadn’t woken up yet. This book teaches children when something goes wrong they need to tell the adult in their life about it. This book is a good selection and charming way to teach children about being embraced and needing to be embraced. Entertaining illustrations and a message that the best hugs are from those who love you make this the perfect bedtime book.It could be used in PSHE to highlight the importance of developing relationships, and in understanding the importance of showing compassion to others.

My only minor dislike was that, the author states it was written about him and his son, and with so little books showing the love of a father and child. Poor Hugless Douglas just wants to find someone to hug, but it isn't as easy as you'd think when you're a big bear! Shelve Hugless Douglas Children Books Collection Set By David Melling, (Hugless Douglas Goes to Little School, Happy Birthday, Hugless Douglas! I loved in the details in the pictures including Douglas the bear’s own teddy bear, the rabbit’s many carrots and the picture of carrots hung up, and all the types of hugs at the end. I loved the details of the pictures and the story is very sweet, about a bear who is desperate for the hug.He previously worked as a photographer and as an animation artist for films including the much-loved Father Christmas, based on the book by Raymond Briggs.