The Biggest Kiss (Paula Wiseman Books)
Although there seems to be no end to picture books about kisses, readers will still find themselves puckering up as they follow a blue-and-white penguin through this guided tour of kisses. Place has no bearing on the penguin, which appears alongside sheep, elephants, ladybugs, giraffes, and a plethora of other animals, all in the midst of their particular style of smooch. Among these rounded, vibrantly colored, and always adorable creatures, the penguin observes good places to kiss, sizes of kisses, kinds of kisses, and even kisses from nature, as when a light rain touches the skin. The text blends ending rhymes (“The tallest kiss is a tricky kind. / The smallest kiss is hard to find”) with internal rhymes (“The snow’s kiss on your face is ace”), but the occasional resulting awkwardness shouldn’t bother young listeners. The book ends with the best kiss of all as the penguin, now blushing, receives a loving smooch from its caregiver. Pair with Karen Katz’s Counting Kisses (2001) and Christopher Loupy’s Hugs and Kisses (2002) to extend the sentiments. Preschool-Grade 1. --Angela Leeper