By Daniel Johnson | daniel.johnson@sonomanews.com | daniel.johnson@sonomanews.com

PUBLISHED: November 6, 2025 at 11:16 AM PST. Sonoma Index Tribune.

When Kristy Brindley and her husband, Bob, took their frequent walks after moving to Sonoma in 2020, she often thought of her son, Michael, who had died of cardiac arrest four years earlier at the age of 16 while playing basketball with friends at a summer camp near Chicago.

“I thought about all the love and joy he brought to our lives and how deeply I miss him,” she said.

She distinctly remembered a time when Michael, then a sophomore in high school, approached her in the hallway of their home and said, “Mom, looks like you need a big hug,” and then wrapped her up in one of his big hugs.

That memory inspired her to write the book, “Looks Like You Need a Big Hug!” It was released on Oct. 7, which would have been Michael’s 26th birthday.

“I thought its message would be important to share with all children as well as create a keepsake book for our other two sons, Robbie and Jack,” Brindley said.

She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Southern Methodist University, majoring in journalism with a focus on advertising and public relations. Brindley is one of eight parents who contributed to the book, “Stories of Children Lost, From the Ones Who Love Them Most,” compiled by Trunnis Goggins II and published in 2024.

“Looks Like You Need a Big Hug!” costs $24.95 and is available at https://www.bighugbook.com. Proceeds from sales will benefit the Just1Mike Foundation, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. It can also be purchased at Readers’ Books in Sonoma.

The foundation was established to honor Michael and his memory by promoting awareness and prevention of sudden cardiac death. It facilitates the installation of automatic external defibrillators at schools and sports facilities throughout the United States.

Just1Mike Foundation also collaborates with Kyle L. Taylor Foundation in Northern California and Young Hearts for Live in Illinois to sponsor free EKG screenings for youth and adults.

“I feel that the book, which carries Michael’s love through the hug stories, and the work of Just1Mike, which honors his life, are a beautiful match,” Brindley said. “Both share Michael’s legacy of how he lived his life and how it is helping to save others.”

She said the phrase “big hugs” was commonly used by Michael and his two brothers.

“Michael was an extremely affectionate little boy and teen,” she said. “He showed his love and affection freely, and it often included hugs for those he cared about most.”

Brindley said Michael was very tuned into the feelings and emotions of others.

“Because of that, he was the kind of child and young man who helped others celebrate the good moments in life and acknowledge the tough moments and all those in between,” she said.

The book is intended primarily for children, ages 3 to 10 years old, although people have told Brindley that children who are a little older also connect with the story.

“Looks Like You Need a Big Hug!” focuses on 10 experiences in the life of a child, each of which call for a hug, whether it be during a rough day, a proud accomplishment or simply a quiet moment.

“The main character, who was inspired by my son, is a little boy named Michael, but the story is not our family story — it’s a story for all children,” Brindley said.

Each of the scenarios ends with a thoughtful question designed to encourage conversation between the reader and a child that is intended to stimulate reflection, spark empathy and strengthen their bond.

In one scenario, “Thank You Big Hugs,” the question is, “Is there someone you would like to thank today?” In another scenario, “I’m Sorry Big Hugs,” the question is, “Is there someone you might want to say, ‘I’m sorry’ to?”

“I have beautiful memories of reading to my children … reading together and talking about the books we shared,” Brindley said. “I hope the readers will make the connection between the everyday life moments that are shared in the story with their own lives and feelings.”

Two pages at the end are left blank, ready for readers to add their own big hug scenario.

“The last hug is basically theirs to give and a way to create a keepsake for their children and family for years to come,” Brindley said.

The book was illustrated by Brendon Metcalf, whom Brindley said “completely brought this book to life.”

“This was a new venture for both of us — my first children’s book and his first time illustrating a book,” she said. “I feel very lucky to have had someone so artistically talented as well as just an overall great guy helping me with this project.”

Brindley provided Metcalf with plenty of photos and some of her own sketches to get him started.

“He took my ideas and visions for this book and added so much of his talent and himself to help create something special,” she said.

Brindley feels that the book — and reading time in general — can provide a wonderful opportunity for parents to connect with their children.

“Finding the time to slow down, read together and talk about feelings is so important,” she said. “I’m hopeful that this book, these hug stories, will offer that opportunity because we all need more hugs.”