Take a Kiss to School
PreSchool-Grade 2–Digby is excited about starting school, but he refuses to get out of bed the next morning. I want to stay here with you, he tells his mother. When they arrive at school, the youngster hangs back. In a gesture reminiscent of Audrey Penn'sThe Kissing Hand(Child & Family, 1993), his mom places 12 kisses that she has blown into her hands into Digby's pocket. There! If you're worried, you can take a kiss from your pocket and imagine I am with you. The ink-and-watercolor artwork shows Digby throughout the day, occasionally seeking a pocket kiss. The charming illustrations help move the story along, and young readers will identify with the small, furry protagonist in bright-red glasses and a soft blue coat. This is a wonderful story to share with a group or to read to a child who needs some extra attention on that first, hundredth, or thousandth day of school.–Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.