How to Fill Your Hug Bank
Hugs may seem simple, but that’s just not true!
Do you know all the magic a hug can do?
Fill Your Hug Bank, Fill Your Heart
How to Fill Your Hug Bank introduces young readers the invisible “hug bank” we all carry inside of us: the safe place where we store warm fuzzy feelings and cozy thoughts of love and care. Through lyrical rhyme and soft watercolor art, this whimsical story helps kids understand how love, whether it comes from family, friends, pets, or even themselves, can fill them up with calm, comfort, and connection.
When your hug bank is full, you have all that you need
To brighten your mood with lightning speed.
Pre-orders begin February 2026, but you can start filling your hug bank early!
Sign up below for exclusive sneak peeks, launch updates, and early access to preorder bonuses. (Plus a coloring page that you and your favorite kiddos can print and color right now!)
A beautiful book to acknowledge feelings and what to do in certain situations. I love to reference books when kids are in their emotions, and it would be great to say, ‘Hey, do you think your hug bank is low? Do you need some hugs?
— Megan T., Preschool Teacher
A Story That Teaches Emotional Awareness — with Heart
We can hug when we’re happy or when we are sad.
We can hug when we’re grumpy or downright mad.
Big feelings are a big part of growing up, and they can be scary. How to Fill Your Hug Bank helps children understand these feelings through warmth, color, and all kinds of love.
As they listen or read along, kids learn to:
- Recognize what helps them feel safe and balanced
- See that everyone’s hug bank fills up differently
- Practice empathy, gratitude, and self-soothing
- Build emotional vocabulary through rhyme and repetition
How to Fill Your Hug Bank is a joyful tool for emotional literacy, disguised as a bedtime favorite.
Why Grownups Love
How To Fill Your Hug Bank
Read one-on-one at bedtime or shared aloud during circle time, How to Fill Your Hug Bank opens the door to meaningful conversations about how we can regulate our emotions and lift each other up.
About the Creators
Dottie Dixon grew up surrounded by books, costumes, and make-believe — a mix that naturally led to a life in theater and storytelling. She spent hours reading in the branches of her favorite tree, turning small moments into big adventures. Today, she channels that same creativity into writing children’s books, inspired by the joy and curiosity she shares with her nieces and nephews. She lives a quiet, private life and wears a mask to manage a chronic illness, but her stories travel freely, inviting kids everywhere to laugh, wonder, and dream.
Sarah Welch is an editor, creative coach, and the founder of The Inkwell, a community that helps authors build sustainable writing practices inside of their busy lives. As a mom and lifelong reader (often under the covers, far past bedtime), she’s passionate about helping children explore the world and their place in it through books. Sarah lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, her son, a dog who can’t get enough hugs, and a cat who would prefer not to.
Playhouse Books — nurturing stories for growing hearts.
Whimsical Watercolor Art for Every Child
Young readers see themselves reflected in every spread, with expressive watercolor-style illustrations highlighting diverse families, caring friends, and beloved pets to remind us that love takes many forms.
About the Illustrator:
Kate is a freelance illustrator specializing in children's illustration for publishers, greeting card companies, puzzle makers, and more. Inspired by a love for nature, Kate enjoys creating whimsical illustrations with a hint of magic.