One on the forehead, one on the nose, and one flying through the air…What would a day be like without kisses?

In musical language translated from Jennifer Couëlle’s sublime French text, Kiss Kiss celebrates the sweet gesture as a small child experiences it: in a parent’s snug goodnight, a baby’s sticky smooch, and a healing touch on a scraped knee. Jacques Laplante’s bright illustrations match liveliness with tenderness, delineating a charming love-filled world in deceptively childlike strokes.

Published in a compact hardcover format perfect for storytime snuggling, Kiss Kiss will be released in plenty of time for a very sweet Valentine’s Day.

Born in Italy, Jennifer Couëlle was raised in Montreal where she later studied the history of art at McGill University and the Université du Québec à Montréal. She has published more than twenty books for children, taking her inspiration from everyday life. Ballons au ciel was a finalist for the Prix du livre jeunesse des Bibliothèques de Montréal and Le Coeur dans la tête was a finalist for the Prix Chronos de Littérature jeunesse.

Jennifer Couëlle's profile page

Jacques Laplante rejected his traditional studies in graphic design at the Université du Québec à Montréal for several career-changing years of real-world experience in Toronto and New York. His colorful and emotional art has attracted an international clientele and adorns both magazines and picture books.

Jacques Laplante's profile page

Born in New York City, Karen Simon moved to Montreal in the seventies, soon after receiving her doctorate in seventeenth-century French literature from Tufts University. She has taught translation and French as a second language at both Concordia University and McGill University. Her specialties are children’s literature and texts on contemporary art.

Karen Simon's profile page

• Best Books for Kids & Teens selection

About Kiss, Kiss

2016 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens selection

"Couëlle and Laplante celebrate kisses, be they big or small, quick or 'slurpy.' Both the writing and artwork have a sweetly haphazard quality - Laplante's scraggly illustrations look authentically kid-drawn, the meter of Couëlle's verse varies wildly and she sneaks in a few extemporaneous unrhymed moments."—Publishers Weekly

"A rhyming celebration of kisses of all kinds...A full range of relationships are represented here - parents, grandparents, couples, friends are all happily smooching."—Kirkus Reviews

"Couëlle's gentle reminders of the magic of kisses are simply and poetically rendered... Jacques Laplante's illustrations are the perfect mix of vibrant colour and black lines that enhance the playfulness of Couëlle's story...[A] wonderful gift book..."—CM Magazine

"This very sweet and simple tale describes many types of kisses in a language very young children will understand and appreciate...The carton illustrations are cheerful and warm with touches of humour."—Resource Links

"Translated by Karen Simon, it retains a cheerful breeziness....The colourful art of Montreal's Jacques Laplante - whose simple lines and distinctive graphic style is both sophisticated and amusing - gives this little book wide appeal..."—Montreal Gazette

"Looking to get in the mood for Valentine's Day? Kiss, Kiss is the perfect pick for this time of year—or any time at all. The simple prose will make you feel the magic...The vibrant cover art and delightful pictures will invite you into this lovely story. Warning: you may feel inspired to pull you little one in for a smooch."—Village Living Magazine