Review: Thumb Love

Summary: Lulu was a thumb sucker. She and her thumb were very happy together—in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, Lulu and her thumb were best friends.

Despite the urging of her family and the teasing of her friends, Lulu just would not give up her thumb-sucking habit. That is, until one day . . . when Lulu made up her mind to stop. And to help herself and thumb suckers all over the world, Lulu developed a program—one with steps. Twelve steps, to be exact. Join Lulu in her quest to kick the habit as she goes through the steps in this funny and insightful picture book.

Told in a light-hearted manner and filled with good humor about a universal and important concern, Thumb Love will be embraced by parents and caregivers alike. This is not an issue book but a story that will resonate with anyone who is—or was—a kid. -- Robin Corey Books

When I discovered that there was a new children's book that addresses the issue of thumb-sucking, I just knew I had to read it to Booking Son. Booking Son doesn't have a thumb-sucking problem, per se, but he does have a little two finger-sucking issue. He knows he needs to quit, but like anyone who's ever had an addiction, it's easier said than done. So, I had high hopes for THUMB LOVE by Elise Primavera.

I have a confession to make. I was a thumb-sucker until I was 12. My parents tried everything within their powers to get me to quit, but it was something that I just had to do on my own -- when I was ready. Needless to say, I could totally relate to THUMB LOVE and I absolutely loved this book! It was cute, funny and had a wonderful overall message!

THUMB LOVE is the perfect book for thumb-suckers (or two finger-suckers.) The story is told by Lulu, a recovering thumb addict.  She first tells of her experiences as a thumb-sucker and the advice that many people gave her to help her quit. At the end of her story, she offers thumb lovers a Twelve Step recovery plan that worked for her!

THUMB LOVE is a very funny look at the co-dependent relationship between a thumb-sucker and a thumb. It's hilarious at times, especially the thumb's reaction at the thought of being tossed aside. The illustrations are positively adorable too. I really couldn't get enough of this book.

Now for Booking Son's impressions: he really liked the book. He laughed a lot, but I could detect a little nervousness from him as we got closer to the end. When I started to read the twelve step recovery plan, he began to fidget and started telling me that he had tried to quit a number of times, but he "always fails." I told him that Lulu said you just have to keep trying, and he seemed to brighten up a bit.

Now truth be told, for as much as we both liked THUMB LOVE, I'm not sure that Booking Son is quite ready to part with his finger sucking. But I do think this book had a positive impression on him. I definitely intend to keep reading this book to him and I'll be hoping for the best!

Check out the book trailer for THUMB LOVE. It shows some of the adorable illustrations from the book as well as some testimonials from former thumb suckers!



National Stop Sucking Your Thumb Day Facebook Page

Thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this picture book. Make sure you check back because Ms. Primavera will be stopping by with a guest post, and I also have a giveaway for a copy of THUMB LOVE!

Blog Tour Schedule:

October 12th – Through the Looking Glass
October 13th – Random Acts of Reading
October 14th – Two Writing Teachers
October 15th – Where the Best Books Are
October 16th – The Book Faerie
October 17th – Picture Book Review
October 18th – Mundie Moms