A WORLD OF KISSES

Innovative art and mostly rhyming verse produce a lighthearted primer about the titular subject.

This odd but appealing book immediately grabs readers’ attention with the cover art’s chain of garishly colorful faces, each featuring wildly extended lips as they kiss the neck or cheek in front of them. An unidentified narrator asserts, “I love kisses, all kinds and colors of them.” As fancifully hued human figures, geometric shapes, and stylized flora and fauna float about, so do phrases such as “big smackeroos” and “sweet smooches.” Throughout, brief rhyming verses describe kisses from relatives, pals, and pets. Many observations will elicit chuckles: “Kisses from friends can sometimes be sticky, / and the loudest kisses are the ones from Aunt Vicky.” Another page re-creates a kiss from the film Titanic as the narrator complains, “Lovey-dovey kisses can be a bit much.” Morros includes a few facts, such as words associated with kiss sounds in other languages. She also encourages youngsters to say no if a kiss isn’t desired. The joie de vivre of Tolosa’s artwork is perfectly complementary, catapulting each page into the next. Ross’ thoughtful translation from the original Spanish ensures that the text provides an easy read-aloud to a beloved child or group of youngsters.

Mwah, mwah! A well-played tribute to all things kiss-related.