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29th May 2021

A Hug For You: Adam King and his dad are writing a children’s book telling the story of the Virtual Hug

Trine Jensen-Burke

We predict it will be a Christmas bestseller.

Late Late Toy Show national treasure Adam King and his Dad, David King, are set to write an illustrated children’s book. The book, A Hug for You by David King, with Adam King, will be published by Penguin Sandycove, and will tell the story of the Virtual Hug.

Adam King stole the hearts of the nation when he appeared on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020. He introduced us to the Virtual Hug, shared his dreams of becoming a CAPCOM at NASA and talked to Ryan about his challenges with a lifelong brittle bone condition. Now, Adam and David will be telling his story and the story of the Virtual Hug in an illustrated picture book for children and adults from age 4+.

Adam has a brittle bone condition. The scientific name for this condition is Osteogenesis imperfecta, or OI for short. This is a rare and lifelong genetic condition characterized by a shortened stature and brittle bones which fracture easily.

The Virtual Hug started out as a heart-shaped sign Adam carried during the COVID-19 pandemic to help him stay connected to his teacher while he was learning from home. He also took it to his regular hospital appointments to show his doctors, nurses, and care staff that he was still giving them a hug, just in a different way. Since then, the Virtual Hug has become a symbol of love and connection, at a time when human connection is more important and more challenging than ever.

Inspired by true events

This book, inspired by true events, tells the story of one little boy with a big idea that came straight from the heart. Join Adam and his loyal friend and first teddy, Bubby, on the journey of the Virtual Hug. From the Late Late Toy Show, the virtual hug makes its way onto mugs, postage stamps and even all the way to outer space, spreading warmth and connection to people all over the world.

David King says:

“I am absolutely over the moon to work with Sandycove on this project. Adam and our family have been on a wonderful adventure over this last year with the Virtual Hug, and everyone has been a part of it. Inspired by these events, I am delighted to have written a story about bringing light to the tough times we have all experienced. I hope you will all see a bit of yourselves in it, of the power of connectedness and hope and how the smallest gestures can have the greatest impact. This story, like Adam’s Virtual Hug, is for everyone.”

Michael McLoughlin, Managing Director at Sandycove, says:

“We are absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to work with Adam and David on this book. Like everyone else in Ireland, we were all blown away by Adam on the Late Late Toy Show last Christmas. We feel so privileged to be part of Adam’s story, and the story of the Virtual Hug.”

About Adam and David King

Adam is six years old. He lives with his Dad David, his Mum Fiona, his brothers Danny and Robert and his sisters Katie and Sarah in Cork. He loves to play wheelchair soccer with his club Youghal Utd., and GAA for All with Youghal and Killeagh GAA.

A Hug For You will hit shelves in November 2021, and you can preorder your copy here: https://linktr.ee/AHugForYou.

You can read more about Adam and all his adventures at www.adamkingadventures.com or follow him on social media:

https://twitter.com/AdamKingIRL

https://www.instagram.com/adamkingadventures/