KISS BY KISS / OCÊTÔWINA

A dual-language counting book in Plains Cree “Y” dialect and English for the board-book crowd.

Starting at kiss No. 1 and counting to 10, smooches between children and their caregivers, or from one child to another, stir tenderness within and bring smiles to readers’ faces. Pictures that fill and spill off the edge of the versos invite readers and listeners into intimate family moments. Astute readers will notice a diverse set of families and individuals depicted in the photographs, including couples that are perhaps adoptive, biracial, or gay parents, and more than a few of the images appear to be of First Nations or Indigenous American children and their caretakers. Those hoping to see the Plains Cree language featured above the English will have to wait for any potential sequels. However, the Plains Cree “Y” dialect is printed in a sans-serif font, clearly distinguishing it from the English though nearly similar in pitch, and key words in English are printed in a similarly colored manner to its Plains Cree translation. Whether readers have brown skin or light skin, are mothers, fathers, or elders, this book—with its kisses and its concept of counting—is “as welcome as the light from the sun,” as Van Camp’s (Tlicho Dene) text aptly puts it.

A wonderful expression of love and welcome song of hope manifested in a book about counting kisses.