From the Publisher
How many kisses does a tired baby need?
Count and kiss
along with this bedtime book, now in a sturdy format perfect for the youngest readers.
Parenting -
Leonard Marcus
A youngster gets a memorable bedtime send-off with Grandma, Dad, and even the family cat teaming up to provide old-fashioned tender loving care just when he needs it most. This endearing read-aloud, with bright, pattern-filled art and a countdown of kisses from ten to one, gently invites preschoolers to practice their numbers.
Publishers Weekly
The whole family-dog and cat included-soothe a fussy baby with a variety of smooches, from "ten little kisses on teeny tiny toes" to "one last kiss on [baby's] sleepy, dreamy head" in Counting Kisses by Karen Katz. PW called the hardcover, published last year, "as irresistible as a baby's smile."
Publishers Weekly
With buoyant cartoons rendered in a bouquet of vibrant pastel tones, Katz (Over the Moon) creates a book as irresistible as a baby's smile. At first, however, the baby in the story is anything but smiling; that's why her family tries to woo her into sleep with a countdown of kisses on every darling part of her body. Mommy starts things rolling with "ten little kisses on teeny tiny toes," and "nine laughing kisses on busy, wriggly feet." Each full-bleed, densely colored vignette that follows depicts an ecstatic baby being coddled and cuddled in a new way: Grandma holds her high in the air to give her belly button seven "loud kisses," and the dog licks her six times while she's on the changing table. By the time the final kiss is delivered on her "sleepy, dreamy head," the baby is utterly beatific--and fast asleep. Everything about this book says "snuggle": Katz's use of flattened perspectives, mixed media and an array of polka-dot, flower and heart patterns ensure that every picture exudes all the warmth of a lovingly stitched crazy quilt. The text should induce readers to launch a kiss-off of their own. Ages 1-5. (Jan.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Children's Literature
Here is an adorable book that would make a thoughtful gift for new parents or new grandparents. Although Baby may be crying as the story begins, there is a sense of peace and joy throughout. The precious little round-faced baby is tired, so Mommy dries those tears with kisses. First there are "ten little kisses on teeny tiny toes." Daddy, Sister, Grandma and even the cat and the dog kiss Baby as the countdown proceeds. The descriptions are apt, as when the dog gives "six tickly kisses on baby's dimpled chin" and the cat licks "three fuzzy kisses on sweet little ears." Finally Mommy gives one kiss on a "sleepy, dreamy head" and then, of course, it's time for bed. Every person and creature pictured is appealing and the story captures the feeling of the unconditional love that family members feel for a new baby. The author is a collector of folk art and that influence is clearly shown in this "kiss and read" book. 2001, Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster, $14.00. Ages 1 to 5. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford
School Library Journal
PreS-How many kisses does it take to say goodnight? A fussy baby receives "ten little kisses on teeny tiny toes/nine laughing kisses on busy, wriggly feet/eight squishy kisses on chubby, yummy knees," and so on down to "one last kiss on your sleepy, dreamy head." Each member of the family takes a turn bestowing kisses on the child: mom, dad, grandma, big sister, and even the dog and cat. Katz uses bold colors and lines to accent the flat, yet expressive illustrations. Heavy use of pink, combined with an array of brightly colored patterns, adds to the tender, happy tone of the story. Collage pieces are seamlessly woven into the gouache and colored-pencil illustrations, and Katz throws in some surprising perspectives, such as the mother kissing the baby's toes shown from the infant's point of view. The final spread, which shows the whole family smiling down at the sleeping child in her crib, epitomizes the loving warmth of this pitch-perfect bedtime story. Though somewhat reminiscent of Molly Bang's Ten, Nine, Eight (Greenwillow, 1983), this delightful book has a charm all its own and will surely become a standard at baby and toddler storytimes.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, Eldersburg, MD Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Child Magazine
A Child Magazine Best Book of 2001 Pick
Count down to bedtime with this exuberant tale of a baby gathering kisses ("ten little kisses on teeny tiny toes") from the whole family. Brimming with affection, the cheery, folk-art-inspired illustrations are simply irresistible. Pucker up!
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