Mommy Hugs

April 1, 2006
PreS -Loving mother/child embraces are counted, from -one nuzzle-wuzzle wake-up hug - to -ten 'I love you...' good-night hugs. - The baby's day also includes encouraging -two 'Choo-choo! Open wide!' yummy hugs - at breakfast, comforting -'I'll always catch you!' sliding hugs - at the park, and so on. Each spread features the number word in lower-case letters, the numeral, and countable heart shapes. Katz's trademark round-headed characters are cheerful and exude warmth. The sunny pictures capture familiar activities, and a playful puppy is part of the scene. The collage, gouache, and colored-pencil illustrations have polka-dot and floral patterns that add visual interest. This book is great for interactive baby storytimes." -Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2006
PreS. Counting and hugging go arm in arm in this book full of baby love. "One nuzzle-wuzzle wake-up hug" shows Mom burying her face in the baby's pajama-clad body, while on the next page, Baby get a "yummy hug" as Mommy feeds her. She gets a "who made this mess laughing hug" after she has unrolled the toilet paper. Katz gets up close and personal in her illustrations, which always focus on the round-faced mother and baby. The colors are so bright, the shapes so simple, and the patterning so sweet that toddlers, the logical audience, will keep a close eye on the turning pages. And, of course, it would be hard for a mommy to read this without giving up a hug or two.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)