Kisses

by Nanda Roep, Marijke ten Cate (illustrator)

A delightful depiction of a universal bedtime routine, told with warmth and humor. When a baby raccoon asks her imaginative father for a simple kiss at bedtime, she finds herself on the receiving end of a string of silly smooches. When Dad plants the lightest butterfly kiss on Lisa's cheek, the pair become surrounded by a lush forest filled with blue-shaded, bamboo-style trees and periwinkle butterflies. A circus kiss calls for a little horseplay under a yellow-striped tent, as Lisa's stuffed-animal friends practice their trapeze swinging. Ten Cate's bright and appealing illustrations perfectly complement Roep's loving text and artfully capture the endearing bond between father and daughter. The result is a gentle, inventive bedtime story that will coax giggles from both the reader and the "read-to." Better still, there's a built-in opportunity here for parents and their children to pucker up and invent their own special nighttime rituals.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Family, Fiction, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Nanda Roep is a Dutch writer and publisher, known for her work in both children's literature and adult fiction. Her feelgood novels, often with a sharp edge, are frequently compared to those of Liane Moriarty and Joël Dicker. As the driving force behind Uitgeverij Nanda, she is dedicated to bringing her stories and creative projects to life.
With a strong background in the cultural sector—including books, theater, and animation—she constantly explores new ways to tell stories, whether through picture books, cosy mysteries, or interactive projects. Currently, she is expanding her work to international markets with English translations and continues to develop fresh, innovative concepts for readers of all ages.
✨ Her stories weave together love, secrets, quiet strength — and the mysteries that shape us.

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWWWWWWWWW! Sorry, maar dat moet gewoon in hoofdletters, want dit was echt een superzoet, mierzoet, lief boek! Over een kleine wasbeer die graag een kusje wilt... maar niet zegt welke waardoor vaders wel een paar hele lieve, grappige, en misschien ook een paar enge (maar toch zoete) kusopties heeft. Van een circuskus tot een eskimokus, allerlei kusjes komen aan bod tot het einde, waar dan toch de goede kus wordt gegeven. Ik zat constant awww en ohhh en zooo lief te gaan terwijl ik dit las. En het leuke is ook dat de knuffels mee doen, we zien ze schommelen bij de circuskus, cadeautjes brengen bij de verjaardagskus, en meer. De achtergrond veranderd ook.
De illustraties maken het geheel af en ik vond ze heerlijk!
Echt een aanrader, ik weet zeker dat dit een perfect boek is voor het slapengaan.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable, a father wishing his daughter goodnight. The drawings make the story.

[Hailey Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short and simple book. A little raccoon, named Lisa asks her Dad to give her a kiss before she goes to sleep. Her dad jokes with her and offers different kinds of kisses, that range from butterfly kisses to vacation kisses. Finally, at the end Lisa explains she wants a goodnight kiss, not any of the silly kinds of kisses he listed. This puts her right to bed! While this book is very simple, I think it is a great book for very young children. This is because it does not have many words and the illustrations are very intriguing. The theme in this book is simply family. When I was a young child I would have similar encounters with my Dad. We would go back and for telling each other I love you with silly things. For example, I love you infinity google and beyond, something that doesn't make sense to anyone but my dad and me! I think this is a very sweet book for parents to read to their young children before bed!

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this cute picture book, Lisa is going to sleep and asks her father for a kiss. But what kind of kiss does Lisa want? A witch’s kiss? A vacation kiss? A circus kiss? An Eskimo kiss?

Colorful illustrations enhance the simple text. This imaginative tale, with its variety of kisses [each with its own illustration], will delight young and old alike with its humorous take on a familiar ritual.

[Whitney Leanhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this story is really short, the author did a great job writing it. The story is about a Raccoon named Lisa and her daddy. Before Lisa goes to bed to wants a goodnight kiss from her dad. It is not as simple as that though, her dad has different types of kisses she can have. The moral of the story is that her daddy loves her and wants to give her all the kisses in the world.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children's literature picture book
K-1

Great illustrations, sweet story of a daddy bear asking what type of kiss baby bear wants before bed. Illustrations support words the young reader might not know. This is a book that brings back sweet memories of putting my young children to bed, and one I think I will purchase for my home collection to read to my new grandchild.

[Linda Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story that kindergarten through second graders will enjoy as a read-aloud or mentor text on nouns. It would also be a good book to read as a round, having students acting out the different kisses. The illustrations are really engaging as well.

[A. Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very short and lots of pictures. K

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

All kinds of kisses, but the best is the "goodnight" kiss that makes you fall asleep.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute until the last page.
I though the ending text was odd.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute Goodnight story with a loving daddy-the only complaint is my kids thought it was too short.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a sweet little book with adorable illustrations..I love that it’s the raccoon dad putting the baby to bed, and how imaginative he is while doing so! Raccoons are special to our family, so this one hit a sweet heart spot.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reedsburg in WI

[Jos Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never knew there were so many things a kiss could cause... the kids loved it!!

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of a father raccoon tucking in his child for the night. Father asked what kind of kiss do you want tonight? I LOVE stories that showcase playful interaction with children, as this book does so well.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

daddy gives different kisses to child before bed. nice bedtime book.

[Emmeline Guest · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story for the very young about kisses (butterfly, Eskimo, grandma, monster) that is perfect for both reading and demonstrating.

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book about all the different kinds of goodnight kisses. The wee ones enjoyed this one bunches and bunches.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read aloud book that both Jer & I enjoy.

[Collin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I could read (er....memorized) out loud! Mom loves it!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite bedtime story, guaranteed to generate some hugs and kisses of your own.

[Diana Anstett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story about family traditions and rituals. Some nice repetition.

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little book showing how fathers and daughters react with each other.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many different kinds of kisses! It's such a book encouraging parents to be goofy and show love.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the imagination of all the different kinds of kisses in this book.

[Lindsey Duncan]

This a very simple book with only about 3 words on each page.I think it would be very easy for students to read.