Mama's Kisses - Hardcover

Kate McMullan taught elementary school in inner-city Los Angeles and on an American Air Force base in Germany. After earning a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, she decided to try her hand at writing. She also writes under the names K.H. McMullan and Katy Hall and has more than fifty children's books to her credit, including her bestselling picture book collaborations with her husband Jim. She lives in New York, New York. 

Tao Nyeu is the creator of Wonder Bear, which won the Founder's Award from the Society of Illustrators and a Marion Vannett Ridgway Award Honor; and Bunny Days, which won the Ezra Jack Keats Award and a Golden Kite Award Honor. Tao was born in Ohio and grew up in New York. She earned a BFA from Cornell University and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts. She now lives in Southern California with her children.

PreS—As the sun sets over the jungle, four mischievous baby animals—an orangutan, a panda, an elephant, and a leopard—are playing in their tree house. When they hear their mamas say that it's time to find their babies, "sing lullabies," and "put them to bed," the little ones sneak away and hide while the mothers look for them. Once the moms retrieve their babies, they snuggle their darlings, sing them a lullaby, and give them a kiss. The verso page offers a little blurb explaining how to "give YOUR baby animal kisses: Leopard kiss=rub cheeks/Panda kiss=tummy smooch," etc. McMullan's charming singsong verse pairs perfectly with Nyeu's whimsical illustrations in soft orange and blue tones, laid out on lush spreads. VERDICT A perfect option for a bedtime cuddle or pajama storytime, this sweet and funny tale is sure to delight its audience and may well become a nightly staple.—Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY