70. The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh

Bibliographic Citation:

Walsh, Joanna. The Biggest Kiss. Illustrated by Judi Abbot. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 2011. 32p. ISBN 978-1-4424-27693

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Different kisses for different animals are represented through rhyming text and colorful illustrations.

Personal Reaction:
The smallest ant and the biggest elephant all receive kisses. The rhyming text of this story about different types of kisses for different animals is combined with lively illustrations, which young children will enjoy. The rhyming format changes throughout the book, which makes the text read like a song at times.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 2-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Parents, children, love, animals, rhyming, alliteration 

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge:
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills:
The rhyming text invites children to help recite the story along with the reader as they become familiar with the words.

Phonological Awareness:
Phonological awareness is fostered through rhyming text, alliteration, and phrases, which are sometimes represented within the inside of the sentence's structure, while other times it is presented as end rhyme.

Print Awareness:
The text of the story appears in various font sizes, with the word "kiss" appearing in bold print.

Print Motivation:
The whimsy of the illustrations and the fun of the rhyming text make this a book that children will enjoy reading together with an adult.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary of this book deals with different animals, sizes, and uses some nonsense words within the rhymes and alliteration that is presented.

Author/ Illustrator Website:

Illustrator website: http://www.giudiimages.it/

52. How Do You Make a Baby Smile? by Philemon Sturges

Bibliographic Citation:
Sturges, Philemon. How Do You Make a Baby Smile?. Illustrated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2007. 24 p. ISBN 978-0-06-076072-4. 

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Methods for playing with a baby in order to get a reaction are represented through animals and their babies, and then back to a human baby playing with his mother.

Personal Reaction:

This simple book relates the play activities that animal parents engage in with their young, and then brings the story back to a human baby playing with his mother before bedtime. The animals in the story are then revealed to be the toys that belong to the baby. 

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 18 months-3 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Playing with baby, animals, bedtime

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills are supported through a question, answer format of this book.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is addressed through simple, rhyming text.

Print Awareness:
Print awareness is promoted through simple text printed on each page, supported by illustrations that match the text. 

Print Motivation: 
This book, with rhyming text, and lively, colorful illustrations, is an enjoyable book to read with young children at bedtime.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book deals with words relating to how animal parents play with their children, and then relates back to a human baby and mother playing together before bedtime.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official author website
Illustrator website: http://www.bridgetstrevens.com/