One Hug At A Time

Since his friend died in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, David Sylvester adopted a mission to enhance the world one interaction at a time. To that end, he bicycled and gave charitable service in: North America 2002 - Washington State to Philadelphia Africa 2004 - Cairo to Cape Town Asia 2007 - Istanbul to Beijing North America 2008 - San Diego to NYC North America 2011 - Minneapolis to NYC Australia 2015 - Sydney to Melbourne Unable to bicycle in 2016, "Big Dave"- as he is known - continued his mission via a car and staged Hug Events in 31 states - making it a point to visit places touched by violence like San Bernardino, OKC, Chicago, Cleveland, and Orlando the Pulse Nightclub. The previous year's warmth prompted him to hug people at the "literal" heart/center of the nation in Lebanon, KS, on Valentine's Day 2017. Later in 2017, he continued with Hug and High5 Tour of America and hugged 14K people in 48 states. The experience was fantastic and must have touched a lot of people's hearts because when the shootings in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs, Texas, occurred - people said, "Dave get down there and hug people." And he did. Since then, he's staged hug tours throughout Alaska, Europe, and Israel. And even did a 48 state goodwill tour during the pandemic just to create more smiles in the world. That's the story! David Hale Sylvester is just a guy who wants the world to smile and has embraced 500,000] people in 50 states and 42 countries in 20 years to make that grin happen. Here are 99 picture-punctuated stories from Big Dave's travels that will hopefully make you smile too and offer a hug to someone too. Enjoy

The New York Times bestselling book that celebrates love and hugs--from beloved MUTTS cartoonist and Caldecott honor-winning artist Patrick McDonnell! There was once a kitten so filled with love he wanted to give the whole world a hug! Jules the kitten (also known in the MUTTS cartoons as "Shtinky Puddin'") knows that hugs can make the world a better place. So he makes a "Hug To-Do List"--with the endangered species of the world at the top--and travels the globe to show all of the animals that someone cares. From Africa to the North Pole to his own back yard, Jules proves a hug is the simplest--but kindest--gift we can give. With its gently environmental theme, this joyous rhyming story about sharing love is an ideal gift year-round.

A young boy discovers many different kinds of hugs and ways to show love as family members and friends gather to welcome his immigrant relatives from China.

A little rabbit receives hugs around the clock.

An adorable follow-up to The Biggest Kiss, which School Library Journal called “a wonderful cuddle-up-and-read choice.” Includes audio! There are hugs for wrigglers, and hugs for gigglers. Hugs that are tickly, and hugs that are prickly…But what kind of hug is absolutely PERFECT? This fabulous feel-good eBook with audio is simply bursting with the cuddliest, snuggliest, most perfect hugs. Dive in and enjoy a hug yourself!

Celebrated artist and lead character designer of Brave, Ratatouille, and Despicable Me, Carter Goodrich, shows that sometimes, even the prickliest people—or the crankiest cacti—need a little love. Hank is the prickliest cactus in the entire world. He sits in a pot in a window that faces the empty desert, which is just how he likes it. So, when all manner of creatures—from tumbleweed to lizard to owl—come to disturb his peace, Hank is annoyed. He doesn’t like noise, he doesn’t like rowdiness, and definitely does not like hugs. But the thing is, no one is offering one. Who would want to hug a plant so mean? Hank is beginning to discover that being alone can be, well, lonely. So he comes up with a plan to get the one thing he thought he would never need: a hug from a friend.

Gina Filomena has been told that she has an overactive imagination. With her bright clothing and artistic spirit, she's always felt different from the other kids in her class. That is, until she meets her neighbour, a mysterious boy called Anotonio. And when a creative new teacher, Miss Lightstone, arrives at school, Gina finds a world of possibilities opens up. A wonderful tale about the transformative power of imagination, the effects of an inspirational teacher, and the journey to becoming who you are meant to be.

The tragedy on September 11, 2001 killed many and hurt many more. David Sylvester tried to make sense of that senseless moment by jumping on his bicycle and connecting with people. His message to the people he met across three continents was simple: "Find your bike." It translates to finding your passion and now, ten years later, after pedaling across deserts, down dirt roads and highways, and over the mountains of Africa, Asia, and North America, David spreads his inspirational message on the pages of this book. Whether relaying stories of tragedy or triumph David writes with a degree of honesty, humor and passion that will make you want to 'find your own bike' and go for a ride.