Author/Illustrator: Mary Murphy
Reading level: Ages 2 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
I find that as a father of a new born girl, 6 months now, I am guilty of smothering her with about 354 kisses per day since she was born. I am very big fan of author/illustrator’s Mary Murphy’s “I Kissed the Baby!”. This book is a great follow up to it and is equally as cute. If it does nothing else it will make you give many kisses throughout to your child, which I think is worth the prize of the book alone.
Premise: A giraffe kiss is very tall — just turn the page and see! Elephant kisses are long, of course, while tiny mice and bubbly fish have kisses all their own. Using a clever split-page format that makes for charming surprises, author-illustrator Mary Murphy shares a series of animal kisses that are sure to have babies and toddlers gurgling, giggling, smiling, and leaning over for their kisses, too.
Mary Murphy delivers not only a wonderful book her but also beautifully illustrated. It is simple yet enough to keep the attention. Besides the “Kiss” books, she also has done other great kids books including “Utterly Lovely One”, “Panda Foo and the New Friend” and “How Kind!”. I look forward to what she has has planned next. Another gem from Candlewick, though being released in time for the Holidays. This book could be a nice Valentine’s Day give also!