This week on the Book Badger, we’re talking with Leslie Mitchell Assini about her book “Hungry Hudson Has a Choice”. This is a great fun read for kids, all about making selfless choices. ( Read all the way to the end of this post for a FREE PRINTABLE!”

Hungry Hudson Has a Choice

The story is about a lovable little dog names Hudson who means well, but has one big weakness: FOOD. Hudson can’t resist food, and often it ends in disaster. But when the food in question is the birthday cake of his favorite friend, will Hudson make a selfless choice?

A simple book with a powerful message

The sweet rhyming text tells a story that is likely familiar to many children. Hungry Hudson needs to make a choice to practice self control, when it is the most difficult for him. If he doesn’t practice self control, he could hurt somebody special to him. The book carries a message that we all have the power to practice self control when it matters most. 

Teach kids about selfless choices

A selfless choice is a choice you make for the good of someone else, even if the consequences of that choice don’t benefit you. This is a concept that children from Kindergarten on up learn daily, and it’s definitely reinforced in this book. When Hudson makes a choice to resist eating the cake, he misses out on the cake, but gets to see his friend happy. 

Talk about Bad Habits and Self Control

For young children especially, it can be difficult for them to take a minute and think about how their actions and little bad habits effect others. “Hungry Hudson Has a Choice” is a book about acknowledging when you have a bad habit that gets you into trouble, and making the conscious choice to practice self control. 

“Hungry Hudson Has a Choice” is over all BIG FUN!

Bright friendly illustrations and well paced rhyming text make “Hungry Hudson Has a Choice” and great children’s book for the classroom or at home. The meaningful lessons in the story open up great discussions about self-control, bad habits, and selfless choices. 

We got a chance to chat with the author, Leslie Mitchell Assini.

She told us that the idea for the story originated during the 2020 Covid lockdown. 

“We have several pets – a dog, a lizard and tons of fish. One day we had a hilarious incident happen with one of our pets and we thought it would be a fun activity to write a poem or song about it. We had a great time developing the story and thinking of rhyming words, and it turned into a great educational activity!  I also had so much fun writing the rhymes that I continued writing the story after the kids went to bed! Once it was complete, I showed it to a few people who all really loved the story. I thought hey – life is short and crazy, why not try publishing a children’s book!”

As for whether or not Hudson is a real dog, Leslie had this to say:

“Hudson is based on a few dogs in my life. My husband’s family dog is named Hudson. And the character Hudson looks like our own family dog, Piper. I’ve certainly met a few dogs who have had to learn the same lesson as Hudson in the book!”

We also asked Leslie to weigh in on the importance of self control and making selfless choices:

“I think so many people can relate to this feeling of really wanting something that belongs to someone else and being overcome with  sometimes we make selfish and self-absorbed choices only to discover that it might really hurt someone else. It’s about learning that it’s ‘not all about you’. People you love will be effected by your selfish choices.”

Leslie is a big fan of rhyme in children’s books, we got the chance to ask her if she has any favorite children’s book authors.

“I find inspiration from children’s authors who tell stories through rhyme. I think rhyming is fun and can expand the imagination while also being beneficial in terms of learning new words and sounds, rhythm, spelling and pronunciation. One of my favorites is Chris Van Dusen, author and illustrator of ‘Learning to Ski with Mr. Magee’ and ‘A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee’. “

If you enjoy this book, there is more fun to come.

Leslie Miller Assini is planning a whole series of what she calls “Character Pets” books. Each book will focus on a different pet learning lessons that highlight virtues such as patience, courage, and perseverance. 

Get your own copy of “Hungry Hudson Has a Choice”.

The book is available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble in paperback!

Follow Leslie

Follow Leslie Miller Assini on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on the “Character Pets” series and find out more about her and her books. 

FREE Printable Worksheet!

We’ve created a special free printable Read and Reflect Sheet and Maze Activity for “Hungry Hudson Has a Choice”!

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