Mo Smells the Holidays: A Scentsational Journey by Margaret Hyde
Amanda Giacomini (Illustrator)
Ages 4-8
Mo’s Nose, LLC (August 15, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
If you’re going to create a scratch n’ sniff reading experience for children, we can think of no better scratchers or sniffers than dogs. Mo is a rescue dog who takes his readers on a journey of the senses, particularly scents. The author wisely lets the reader place scented stickers throughout the book as they choose, rather than overwhelming us with pages of spicy pumpkin or sweet candy scents. We are particularly excited that she opted out of ‘wet dog,’ ’something dog rolled in,’ and ‘other unidentified dog scents.’

Buy this book on Amazon.com

Mama’s Kiss by Jane Yolen
Daniel Baxter (illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Chronicle Books - October 3, 2008
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
If someone blows you a kiss and you don’t catch it, where does it go? Follow a little girl as she chases momma’s missed kissed all over the place and finally catches it. The illustrations are perfect for the text, showing a fluttering, flittering elusive kiss.

Product DescriptionMama’s Kiss — The kiss Mama blew to her little girl goes merrily astray, slipping and sliding and sashaying from cheek to cheek . . . until it finally lands just right where it belonged. Told in jaunty verse, award-winning Jane Yolen’s clever fantasy offers warm and witty affirmation that it is indeed love that makes the world go round.

Buy this book on Amazon.com

Love, Splat By Rob Scotton
Illustrated by Rob Scotton
HarperCollins, 2008
Ages: 4-8
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
What a sweet book about love, shyness and friendship! Although this would even be a great Valentine to give the big kid in your life (husband, wife, etc…), it’s perfect to illustrate the sometimes awkward wonderful feeling that only love can bring.

Book Description
It’s Valentine’s Day and Splat has a special valentine for a certain someone in his class. Her name is Kitten, and Splat likes her even more than fish sticks and ice cream. But Kitten doesn’t seem to like him at all-she always ties his tail and pokes his belly when she sees him. And then there’s Splat’s rival, Spike, who also likes Kitten. Will Splat’s heartfelt valentine win Kitten’s paw in the end?

In this funny follow-up to Splat the Cat, Rob Scotton captures the highs and lows of a first crush with humor and understanding.

Buy this book on Amazon.com

You and Me by Giovanni Manna and Stella Blackstone
Barefoot Books, 2000
Ages 4-7
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
The text of You and Me is so simple in concept but so brilliant in execution. The illustrations are rich, colorful and beautiful. This board book is perfect for little ones, but perhaps even more poignant as a sweet book to give to a friend of any age. Opposites do, indeed, attract.
Publisher’s Description: The imaginary games of a boy and a girl form the basis of this enchanting picture book about opposites and contrasts. As the two children play together, they picture themselves as all kinds of characters,  animals, landscapes and moods. “I’m a circle, you’re a square; I’m a tiger, you’re a bear.”

Celebrating difference, but above all celebrating relationship, You and Me is a very special picture book that will captivate pre-school audiences but is also sure to attract plenty of adult fans.

Buy this book on Amazon.com