Kids books that lead to lots of hugs & kisses – age 3-5

One small act of love blooms into something bigger and more dazzling than Little Miss could have ever imagined… in this epic journey about life, kindness, and giving. New York Times bestselling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal and award-winning illustrator Peter H. Reynolds have teamed together for the first time, creating a simple and beautiful way to tell children about the positive energy of Love.

Mothers love their children and this unconditional love is truly tested in I Love You, Stinky Face. Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore beautifully weave a reassuring tale of the love and affection of a parent. The imaginative son turns himself into a meat-eating dinosaur, a swamp creature and much, much more… before being satisfied with the fact that no matter how stinky he is or how slimy of a creature he could possibly be, he is loved and nothing will change that. This is definitely a kids books that lead to lots of hugs and kisses!

A tiny squeeze is all it takes. With this simple action you can turn a frown into a smile and show that you care. One hug can mean everything, so hug your mom, hug your dad, hug your sister or your brother, and hug your friend. Eileen Spinelli and Dan Andreasen have created a sweet, simple, and poetic picture book about the power of a loving hug that is a sure bet to brighten your day — just like a hug!

Eddie’s in for the surprise of his life when he discovers that his teddy bear has grown much too big to cuddle! But there’s fun in store when Eddie meets up with a real bear who’s got just the opposite problem—his lost teddy bear has shrunk to a size that’s much too small for such an enormous bear to cuddle. Could it be a case of mistaken identity? This fast-paced comedy of errors, illustrated with Jez Alborough’s quirky artwork, is guaranteed to have children—and bears alike—reaching for their teddies!

With childlike smiling stick figures, bold, brilliant color, and upbeat text, picture-book creator Todd Parr celebrates the diverse, wonderful world of fathers in The Daddy Book. Parr focuses on the differences between individual parents (“Some daddies make cookies. Some daddies stop for doughnuts.”), but brings it all together every few pages with lines like, “All daddies love to kiss and hug you!” or “All daddies like to watch you sleep!” Parr’s quirky artwork and eternally optimistic – yet never saccharine – books are truly irresistible, for both grown-ups and kids.

This follow-up to An Awesome Book! combines engaging illustrations and snappy rhymes that invite youngsters to consider the endless number of loving relationships, from the love shared by spouses to the bond between parents and children. There are so many different kinds of love, and Clayton knows just how to describe them all. Readers can take a walk on the loving side, as the snappy rhyme perfectly details just how their heart feels.