Also by Joanne Ryder: Won't You Be My Hugaroo? Also illustrated and/or written by Melissa Sweet: A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin Christmas Tree Hanukkah Lights The Sleepy Little Alphabet: A Bedtime Story from Alphabet Town Won't You Be My Hugaroo? Carmine: A Little More Red Charlotte in Paris Won't You Be My Kissaroo? by Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Melissa Sweet PreK-2nd grades 30 pages Harcourt January 2008 Board book     In Won't You Be My Kissaroo?, Joanne Ryder provides short and charming text, complemented by Melissa Sweet’s cuddly and cheerful illustrations. While the strict teacher part of me cringed a bit at some of the more forced almost-rhymes, overall the book is enjoyable. A colorful cast of animal characters moves the sweet story along as a little lamb wanders through his day, watching friends say hello/goodbye/surprise. Along the way, the author defines the various kisses of the day and how and why each of them is valuable as a unique gift for the giver and the receiver. Of course, the book also presents you with the opportunity to try out all the kisses with your favorite little reader: my niece especially likes the one that goes “Pop! Upon your cheek.” Won't You Be My Kissaroo? is a quick, cute read for preschool-aged or younger children.     web reviews   Melissa McLaughlin/2008 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)