Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs

Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs by Lisa Tawn Bergen; art by Aleksandar Zolotic  40 pages

When I was little, sometimes my folks would give my brother and I Eskimo kisses.  In case readers don’t know what those are, it when two people rub the tips of their noses together. Eskimos supposedly did this because it was cold where they lived, and that was all of their faces that protruded. Well, we know better then that.

However, author Lisa Tawn Bergen brings us something very similar in the 12^th book in her “God Gave Us” series. When her little boy decides he’s too old for kisses (and hugs from Papa), Mama illustrates how the animal world gives kisses. She uses sloths, lions and tigers, polar bears and horses to show the variety of ways Mama’s give kisses.

Once the young boy decides he isn’t too big for Mama kisses, he decides that he is too big for Papa hugs. Papa also uses animals to make his point.

Throughout the book, the point is made over and over: That God made everyone physically different, yet in some ways we are all alike.

The most touching part of the book was when the little boy asked, “Mama, how does God kiss us?” what a beautiful answer!

The art, by Aleksandar Zolotic, is vibrant and beautiful.

 “Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs” receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.