Page 1 of 8
Part 1
Ollie the otter waved as Grandma left the preschool door. Then his chest felt heavy, and tears filled his eyes.
Listen to this page
← Back to the collectionStory illustration Keep exploring Say it. Clap it. Sing it.Print the rhyme ↓
A story to share
Ollie's Pocket Hug
Find a cozy spot. Read together. Pause for the good questions.
8 pages to explore
Read the complete storyAll 8 pages together · text edition
Ollie's Pocket Hug
Read aloud, take turns, or pause for a question. The illustrated page-by-page reader is above.
Page 1
Part 1
Ollie the otter waved as Grandma left the preschool door. Then his chest felt heavy, and tears filled his eyes.
Page 2
Part 2
He told his teacher, "I miss Grandma. I want her to come back right now and hold me."
Page 3
Part 3
The teacher stayed close while Ollie cried. She said missing someone shows how much love lives inside him.
Page 4
Part 4
Ollie opened his backpack and found Grandma's little heart patch. She called it a pocket hug for school days.
Page 5
Part 5
He pressed the soft heart against his paw and remembered Grandma saying, "I always come back after snack and play."
Page 6
Part 6
Ollie carried the heart to the art table. He painted a purple flower to show Grandma at pickup time.
Page 7
Part 7
After snack and play, Grandma returned just as she promised. Ollie ran to her with his flower held high.
Page 8
Part 8
Ollie still missed Grandma sometimes, and that was okay. His pocket hug helped him remember he was loved.
What will you try next?
Read each question together. Choose the answer that matches the story.
Try the story activityOllie's Pocket Hug
Share a rhyme inspired by the story. Read the words together, tap a gentle beat, or make up your own tune.
Open the rhyme
Intro
Grandma waves at preschool door.
Ollie wishes she stayed more.
Verse 1
Heavy chest and tearful eyes,
Ollie tells his teacher why.
Missing someone shows our love.
Teacher stays beside his tears.
Chorus
Pocket hug, soft little heart,
Love stays close when we're apart.
Snack and play, then Grandma comes.
Pocket hug remembers love.
Verse 2
Ollie holds the heart so near,
Paints a flower bright and clear.
After snack and after play,
Grandma comes as promised today.
Final Chorus
Pocket hug, soft little heart,
Love stays close when we're apart.
Purple flower held up high,
Grandma hugs her Ollie tight.
Outro
Missing Grandma can be okay.
Love stayed with him through the day.
Guess Galaxy on YouTube
Make it story time.
Enjoy the video version of this story, then talk about your favorite part.
Watch on YouTube Opens YouTube in a new tab.