Kiss, Tickle, Cuddle, Hug

October 29, 2012
Closeup photographs of babies’ faces offer clear visual cues to different emotions, each of which is paired with a response (presumably) on the part of a parent. Often, those responses involve cuddling and snuggling: “Sookie makes a shy face. Sookie needs a squeeze,” writes Musgrave, opposite a picture of a baby peeking mischievously from behind her arm. Not all sentiments are easily conveyed (brave, for instance), but the idea that almost any emotional situation (sleepy, angry, sad) can be addressed with a tender embrace is reassuring. Up to age 3.

December 15, 2012
Big, beautiful photos of babies demonstrate a range of infant emotions and the needs they imply. These head shots of ethnically diverse youngsters show their happy, silly, angry and sad faces, to name a few. In a nice departure from the typical baby-photo board book, each child is named, and the need their facial expression reveals is also explored: "Lucy makes a happy face. Lucy needs a kiss. / Abrahm makes a silly face. Abrahm needs a tickle." The photos stretch to the edge of the page, and the text, in a simple, strong type, appears on the facing page over soft-colored backgrounds. The usual emotional suspects are here, but there are some clever diversions. In one, a young boy with his mouth and nose impishly scrunched up is paired with the lines, "Henry makes a monkey face. Henry needs a banana." A small quibble: The photo of Hannah does not look particularly sad, only serious. The final spread breaks from the pattern of the rest of book for Sam's surprised face, including "Boo!" as a playful last line. Sure to elicit some parent and child kisses, tickles, cuddles and hugs. (Board book. 3 mos.-18 mos.)

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