10 hugs and kisses

Toddler-PreS--This new series of novelty board books finds the perfect balance in developmentally appropriate material that will be entertaining for caregivers and babies alike. Smile, Baby! incorporates interactive text about facial features with an embedded mirror throughout. The simple text is complemented by illustrations of animals using the body part specified. "Where is baby's nose?/ There is baby's nose!" includes illustrations of a fox sniffing a flower. 10 Hugs and Kisses features the same animal friends showing affection to one another as they count to 10. The entire series will be welcome in libraries.

A rhyming, counting board book full of animal snuggles. This Beginning Baby title features many of the same animal friends from Welcome to Shape School! (2021). Each double-page spread includes a large numeral printed with a 3-D effect on the left, with the text and animals on the right. There are "fishy kisses," "tum-tum tickles," and "happy smiles," all prompting loving interactions to be shared between a caregiver and child as they make their way through this lap book. Some of the items are awkward for counting purposes. How are "six lovey cuddles" or "seven snuggles" between two creatures countable? Nevertheless, cuddles and snuggles are irresistible. The animals march on to bed, where they turn off the light and say "nighty night." The animals are adorable, rendered in soft blues, pinks, and yellows. From the giggling narwhal to the bespectacled elephant, they are sweet and appealing. While the backgrounds are pleasingly uncluttered, thoughtful details abound. The llama has a tiny pen, pencil, and paintbrush tucked into its overalls, and the octopus dons a frilly sleeping mask at the end. While this is a fairly traditional counting book, complete with rhyming text, it's still a cozy, enjoyable read. Worthwhile just for the adorable animals and the excuse to cuddle up with a little one. (Board book. 6 mos.-2) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.