Adam King stole the hearts of the nation on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020. And now in 2021 we’re delighted to share this Eason exclusive piece by David King, Adam’s father introducing his brand new book, A Hug for You inspired by heart-warming true events with Adam.

 

We have been through a lot over the last twelve months. Our families, communities, country, and our entire species have felt the loss of connection brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. My son Adam had one tiny idea to bring people together in a different way. Inspired by the true events surrounding Adam and his virtual hug, I wanted to write a story that portrayed the importance of connection when it is hard to do so. I wanted to represent many of the things we missed and longed for during times when were forced to stay apart. A Hug for You takes readers on a journey through many fulfilling sides of our lives – sports, smiling faces, playing with friends, the performing arts, education, our local communities. It shows that even when it is hard to connect with each other and do the things we love, a tiny gesture such as a virtual hug can bring light to the darkness we may feel.

My other motivation in writing this story was to represent difference and diversity. Adam was born with a genetic condition, osteogenesis imperfecta (type III) and he is a wheelchair user. It is my wish that Adam, and other children, see themselves as the heroes in their own stories. One way this happens is through representing difference in books, and A Hug for You does this in a variety of ways.   

Our family are so grateful that Adam and his virtual hug have inspired people to connect with each other during challenging times. I was inspired too, and  I really felt as an author and parent this was a story that needed to be told. I have loved every second of creating A Hug for You and I hope you and the children in your life enjoy it. I also hope that, when you finish reading it, you give each other a hug.  If we learned one thing while apart, it is to never take for granted the power of a hug, whether in person or across any distance. How wonderful to have learned such an important lesson from a tiny gesture, given from the joyful heart of a child.