Catching Kisses

K-Gr 2—"At any given moment, someone, somewhere, is blowing a kiss." So opens this ode to kisses and their staying power. Blocky, retro illustrations depict recognizable American landscapes through which the kisses blow, making the book a love poem to the country, too. A map at the back marks the cities by name. Less a story than a meditation on love ("Kisses are powerful. No wall can hold them back. No fence can keep them out"), this title may be a tad too abstract and too sentimental for many children. The Jacksonville scene depicts sailors saying goodbye to family members before shipping out, and the book may work well with children separated from loved ones. It may be even better as a gift book for adults facing time apart-like a more sophisticated version of Audrey Penn's The Kissing Hand. And of course, librarians and educators will find it useful for Valentine's Day programs.—Heidi Estrin, Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL