Gustave and the Hedgehog’s Way

Gustave doesn’t like hugs. He doesn’t like being stuck to, grabbed or kissed. But his town, the adults, his little brother and even his cat have only one thing in mind: Gustave needs more hugs.

By constantly hearing one solution after another to help him feel good, Gustave finally comes up with his own idea. He doesn’t like hugs, so he will be able to help find the perfect way to mark out his personal space.

In this story, full of warmth and tenderness, we explore with Gustave a way of saying “no.”

Key points:

◊ A gentle picture book for introducing the topic of consent

◊ Expressing one’s wishes and emotions through creativity

◊ The importance of intergenerational relationships

◊ Illustrations made with coloured pencils and oil pastels

Rights sold to: China

Awards:

⭐selected for Graines de lecteurs (2026)

Author & Illustrator

Élisa Dupont (author) in addition to her writing, she practices both film and digital photography. She worked as a teacher for several years and has also led visual arts workshops for young children. She currently works alongside a ceramic artist. She lives in Rennes, France

Sarah Flan (illustrator) works across different mediums, including illustration, animation and textile sculpture. She enjoys layering imagination onto reality and creating soft, dreamlike characters, sometimes tinged with melancholy. She lives in Rennes, France