A review by _luckycats_
A Kiss for Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik

5.0

Little Bear’s circular story begins in the illustrations on the title page, drawing a Wild Things-styled picture that his friend Hen takes to Little Bear’s grandmother. In return laughing Grandmother asks Hen to take a kiss back to Little Bear and the fun really begins. How the kiss is relayed from Hen to a series of unlikely and amusing animals is pure delight! In the end, two skunks get caught up in a kiss exchange until the exasperated Hen gets the kiss back for final delivery to Little Bear and a marriage for the happy skunk couple.


The first Little Bear book was published in 1957 and marks the beginning of the popular I Can Read series of books from HarperCollins Publishers. The straightforward text, large typeface and plot-oriented illustrations all aid the beginning reader. Caldecott award-winner Sendak’s illustrations focus on the interactions between the animals and personify their actions and expressions that capture the warmth and amusement throughout the story. A Kiss For Little Bear is an ALA Notable Children’s Book and New York Times Best Illustrated Book that will successfully engage children in their early independent reading.