This is the Kiss by Claire Harcup
Illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo
Published by Walker Books
Date: 2016

What I love about being a Librarian and working in a library is that you come across gorgeous books such as this one.  It is books like this one that I find very endearing to read to children, the very special relationship between parent and child.  For those that aren’t with their parents, it is also about that very special relationship between the child and their loved one.

The pictures are beautiful, even on the end pages.  The joy on the little bear face in this picture captures the essence of the book.

It’s a bedtime story where the focus is on the lead up to going to bed and begins…

“When you’ve had a fun day and you’re ready for bed, this is the wave…and the squeeze of the hand…“

and continues to go on until…

there are some TICKLES and…

HUGS!

and then…well I cannot tell you anymore because I don’t want to spoil the end!  But lets just say if I was sleepy at the end then you can imagine how little bear felt too!

Story Time Ideas

This book has been beautifully written by Claire Harcup and is perfect for reading to toddlers.  What makes it perfect for toddlers is that there are few words and is engaging. I would also find this a suitable book for a toddler story time because I would get the children involved in the book.

I would encourage the children to wave when bear waves, to hug a friend, to give big cheesy grins, wiggle and giggle and so on.

When it comes to craft, my ideal for a toddler is to be able to do the activity them-self. The toddler could stick collage pieces to a cut out cardboard heart, they could colour it.  A heart could also be cut out of contact and bits and pieces could be stuck to that too.  This activity is an extension of the story, encourages further interaction between the child and their helper, and enables the toddler to work on their fine motor skills.

For a choice of song I would use something familiar and change the words a little.  Such as:

If your happy and you know it blow a kiss
If your happy and you know it blow a kiss
If your happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If your happy and you know it blow a kiss

If your happy and you know it hug a friend
If your happy and you know it hug a friend
If your happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If your happy and you know it hug a friend