Mama's Kisses

Starred review from December 19, 2016
Four animal mothers know that it’s bedtime, but the kids—a little panda, monkey, elephant, and leopard—are anything but tired. They’re playing a rousing game of pirates in the branches of a tree, and when the mothers “stomp, stomp, stomp” over to collect them, they run and hide, disguising themselves as birds and flowers. While the kids may win in the short term (“Babies, we’re calling!/ We hope you are near!/ Playtime is over./ Sleep time is here”), the end is never in doubt, and none of the little ones looks too disappointed, given all the snuggles and sweet species-specific lullabies that McMullan (I’m Cool!) unspools: “Rock-a-bye bear cub,/ Come closer now, scootch/ So Mama can land/ a Panda bear smooch.” Nyeu (Squid and Octopus: Friends for Always) puts together a dreamy tapestry of blue curving lines and lush botanical motifs, with accents of yellow and orange that underscore the playful game of hide-and-seek woven throughout. McMullan’s rhymes are spot on in every way, and despite spiky moments of mischief, the overall impression is comforting and lulling. Ages 3–5. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties.

April 1, 2017
In a rain forest, four animal mamas search for their rambunctious, not-at-all-tired babies so they can put them to bed.The mothers--leopard, elephant, orangutan, and panda--all obviously friends, sit in and under a tree knitting or sewing as they notice that the sun is going down. Meanwhile, in the background, readers can spy the four tots climbing a tree, their fun clearly not yet done. Indeed, their imaginations are still running wild with pirate adventures. But when they realize their mothers are looking for them, the game is on--hide-and-seek, that is. The children try all sorts of camouflage and costumes as they attempt to blend in to the forest backdrop. Meanwhile, their mothers call to them in patterned verse that includes a description and a promise for tomorrow's fun: "Come now, my leopard, / All spotted and peppered, / Tomorrow you'll pounce, / You'll roar and you'll race." The gentle rhyming verses are interspersed with onomatopoeic words and moments of tension ("Gotcha!"), though the whole ends on a quiet note that makes this a good choice for children's own bedtimes. The yellow, orange, and blue palette in the ink, colored pencil, and Photoshop illustrations is striking, especially considering the jungle setting, though elephant baby is not gray as the text says but blue. Although readers shouldn't expect these animals to be found in the same locale in the wild--or to be friends--it's a genial outing.A sweet bedtime tale. (Picture book. 3-6)

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June 1, 2017

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

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from January 1, 2017
Preschool-K *Starred Review* There are countless picture books about mothers and babies, and even more about bedtime, but this charmer is a standout. In a fanciful rain forest, a mama elephant, orangutan, leopard, and monkey decide it's time for their little ones to go to bed. But where are they, those sleepyheads, those tired babies ? A two-page spread shows the babies not rubbing their eyes, but strumming mandolins and sword fighting. As the moms seek, the children hidein the water, in a canoe, and finally under a tent. Once discovered, they realize they are quite tired after all, and soon everyone is dozing in the midst of luxuriant flora. The clever rhyming text, all recited by the mothers, is juxtaposed against the silent yet joyous antics of the kids who are having as much fun fooling their mamas as they are in their play. It's startling to realize the bursting-off-the-page art is only executed in shades of blue, yellow, and orange against white backgrounds; such vibrancy would normally require a rainbow of colors. With its short text and standout art, this will make a great read at storytimes, but parents and children will enjoy its humor and warmth at home as well.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2018
"'Sun's going down.' 'Moon's on the rise.' / 'Let's find our babies.' 'And sing lullabies.'" Four mothers--panda, leopard, elephant, and orangutan--take turns speaking in pleasing rhyming verse as they try to persuade their mischievous children it's bedtime. Mixed-media illustrations in shades of blue and orange reveal the children's comical efforts to avoid capture until they're finally corralled, cuddled, and put to bed.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)