Carl Cthulhu Needs Hugs Too — Kenneth W. Cain

Maybe you know his father, but you'll love his son. Carl Cthulhu has a problem. With his mother gone and his father always so busy, he is often left on his own. And without the proper guidance, Carl soon finds himself acting out the role of the bully, picking on kids and playing pranks on them. Although these things might make Carl laugh, he has no idea how badly he hurts his victims. What others may not know is that Carl thinks he has to act this way just to be noticed. He often feels lonely, out of place, as if he doesn't belong. This is how he copes with those emotions. When someone is loved, sometimes all they need is a hug. Carl is no different, because even he needs hugs. This short picture book is targeted at younger children in an attempt to help them understand some of the reasons behind bullying. It is not meant as an excuse for these actions, but rather the hope that through understanding, perhaps a bridge can be built to put an end to bullying. The sentences in this book are relatively easy to read, with illustrated pictures created by the author to help understand the story.