Huggy Kissy: Leslie Patricelli

Lorie Ann and I are huge fans of Leslie Patricelli and her “bald baby” character. Her Yummy Yucky and Quiet Loud are two of my personal favorite board books. Although her little guy has loads of personality of his own, he has a universal quality that makes us want to give him a HUGGY!

In this book, baby is looking for something: Hugs and kisses.

Tuggy, tuggy.

(baby tugging at busy dad’s pants leg)

Huggy, huggy?

(baby open-armed; looking adorably wistful and ready for a hug)

(His hopes are met with dad hugging him.)

Squeeze, squeeze.

Don’t stop please!

As the book continues, we see all kinds of hugs and kisses, including an uncle’s scratchy embrace and an auntie’s squishy one. And baby has hugs and kisses of his own to bestow, including a hug for blankie and a kiss for fishy.

A great book for anytime, but especially for December holidays or Valentine’s Day!

Huggy Kissy

Author-Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Candlewick, 2012

A Kiss Like This: Mary Murphy

This, from the back cover, sets up the premise of this book, which uses a clever, split-page format:

Buzzy, bubbly, long, or small,

whose is the best kiss of all?

Can you guess?

A giraffe kiss is gentle and tall. . .

(Giraffe tot pictured on left; parent on right. Turn the split-page flap . . .)

like this!

(Giraffe tot and parent kiss.)

A mouse kiss is quick and small. . .

(Parent mouse on left; tot mouse on right. Turn the flap…)

like this!

(Mouse tot and parent kiss.)

I waited till now to mention that this is not a board book. But it does read like one and could easily be transformed into one in the future. The art is simple and fresh, with cute characters that aren’t syrupy-cute. The book ends with a spread filled with hearts of many sizes, including a giant sparkly one in the middle.

Charming!

A Kiss Like This

Author-illustrator: Mary Murphy

Ages 2-4

Candlewick Press, 2012