All Kinds of Kisses (review)

"Little ones love kisses," Tafuri begins, going on to describe varying farm animals' pecking preferences, from "Little Chick" who "loves Cheep kisses" to "Little Bunny" who "loves quiet—Sniff—kisses!" The "best kiss of all," of course is "Mommy's kiss goodnight." Tafuri's simple, age-appropriate text presents gratifying opportunities for toddler and parent participation through the practicing of animal baby names and sounds and the multiple occasions offered for kissing little listeners. The large watercolor and pencil illustrations have clear hues and up-close views of each parent-child animal pair that will easily carry to the back of a library program room; smaller details, such as a bluebird that appears in every spread and the frequent inclusion of tiny insects, will engagingly invite closer and repeated inspection as well. Although the drafting is coloring-book flat with occasional awkwardness in the figures, skillful shading, careful color blending, and deft pencil strokes give lifelike detail to their fur or feathers. Share this at baby laptime, toddler storytime, or as a cheerful bedtime book, and be prepared for an enthusiastic, if slobbery, response.