Kiss-and-Read Books

Title: Counting Kisses

Author/Illustrator: Karen Katz

Reading Level: Baby - Preschool

Board Book: 32 Pages

Publisher: Little Simon

Child Magazine Best Book of the Year 2001

Kiss-and-Read books make reading time extra special, because they give parents yet another opportunity to smooch and bond with their little ones. In this adorable board book, a cranky baby is showered with kisses by her family members. From "ten little kisses on teeny tiny toes" to "one last kiss on sleepy, dreamy head", the tired baby goes from being cranky to a peaceful, sleeping baby. Baby delights in all the attention she gets when mommy, daddy, grandma and her big sister kiss her teeny tiny body parts. Even her cat and dog take part in the act bestowing fuzzy and tickly kisses. Finally, baby falls asleep in the crib, as her loving family watches over. The illustrations are warm, inviting and exuberant. The lovely expressions and pink flowery patterns will captivate your babies for sure. My daughter loves this kiss-and-read book so much, we read it almost every day. She likes to identify and show me her body parts as I kiss and read along. It brings out more giggles than any other books we have ever read. This is a great bedtime book and I enjoy it as much as she does :)

Title: How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight?

Author: Varsha Bajaj

Illustrator: Ivan Bates

Reading Level: Ages 3 - 7

Board Book: 26 Pages

Publisher: L B Kids

No matter how many kisses you bestow upon your precious ones throughout the day, Good Night hugs and kisses are always special. It ends their day on a loving, warming note and helps them unwind after a busy long day. When I ask my little one how many kisses she would like, she always says "two thee". Well, that's pretty much her answer for any question that starts with the phrase "How Many.." But, I know she would love as many kisses as she could get :)

In this beautiful bedtime book, animal parents snuggle up with their babies and ask them how many kisses they would like to get. Little Bear wants one big, loud kiss on his brown hair and little duck yellow gets two - one on his beak and one on his back. As you count along from one to ten, a little dog, horse, bunny and bird get smooched by their parents. Finally, When Daddy asks his little pink princess, she answers "Hundred - One on my nose and one on each curl". Mommy poses the same question to her little knight and he says " A MILLION!" and hugs her tight. This is such a heartwarming book you will love to read with your kids again and again. The illustrations are not so bright, but the warm or rather dull shades sets the perfect tone for a nighty-night read. Older kids would love the beautifully rhyming text and the younger ones would delight in special smooches and cuddles from parents!!