Reining in the Cheek-Seeking Kissile

What if the kiss you blew to your little one had a mind of its own? What if, like a mischievous, lovestruck “kissile” guided by a carefree spirit, that smacker missed its intended target, fluttered out the window and began simply bouncing from one unsuspecting recipient to the next, leaving smiles on the faces of bears and bees, dogs and cats in its wake? This is the endearing premise of Mama’s Kiss (Chronicle Books), a Jane Yolen tale told against the lovely backdrop of Daniel Baxter’s illustrations. Shrewdly conceptualized in that “what-if” style that invariably captures a child’s imagination, the story includes some of the best elements of children’s literature: light and colorful prose, delightful ideas, a straightforward and compelling storyline, and a sense of language that doesn’t take itself so seriously that it would fly, pardon the pun, right past a young reader. And then there’s the best feature of all, a happy ending that seals the story with a kiss found right where it belongs, at home in the cozy confines of a loving family. Cuddle up, turn the pages, and remember why those kisses from mom mean so much in the first place. And when you’re done, don’t be afraid to blow a little kiss of your own.

To order a personal copy of Mama’s Kiss, visit Chronicle Books.com.

Serene Adventures

It’s been said that the difference between an art critic and an art lover is all in the eyes. The critic, who approaches art only to deconstruct it, too often stops there, missing the proverbial forest for the trees. The lover, on the other hand, who seeks primarily the experience of the art, is able to step back, absorb a composition as one singular piece rather than a collection of elements, and wistfully sigh, this really works. The nursery room art of Indigo Rain, our featured creative group of the day, is art made for the lover in all of us. Using warm, soothing tones, nightscapes in lavender, days of hushed floral hues and subjects as invitingly unpretentious as an ambling dinosaur or a nest of bluebirds, the artist invites us to enter a softer, less threatening region of the art world.

Children can enjoy the serenity and safety of images like When I grow up...I want to be a lady like you, or A Bird on My Head while also enjoying the surrealism of the ideas. Adults can readily utilize the art, and especially the loveable animal subjects, to kickstart a conversation about nature, and how the world outdoors is really more magical than malevolent, populated with many creatures that seem to have been created for no other reason than to make us smile. And while we’re at it, here’s another reason to smile: Indigo Rain has agreed to offer a free print of choice to the winner of today’s drawing (up to $18.) To enter, visit IndigoRain.etsy.com, then come back here to tell us about your favorite print. Tell us in an additional post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, or follow us on Twitter, and "tweet" about the giveaway. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. Contest ends 3/14/09.