The Kiss That Missed [Paperback]

David Melling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2007 | Grade Level: PreK and up

It's bedtime, but the little prince's goodnight kiss from his dad, the king, has gone astray. It has missed the little prince's cheek, drifted out the window, and escaped into the forest. The brave and fearless knight is sent out on a mission to retrieve it. This whimsically funny picture storybook, originally published by Barron's several seasons ago in hardback, is more popular today than ever. Now it's available in a new paperback edition with every word of its original text and every one of the memorably funny color illustrations.

Praise from the critics:
"Readers will find both the text and the playful, color cartoon illustrations amusing. Melling captures great expressions in his caricatures of the bewildered prince, the terrified knight and horse, and the gleeful royal family when the kiss is returned. The tale is refreshingly original and relevant, showing a busy family full of love."
--School Library Journal

"The humorous narrative... delivers its message in a lighthearted way."
--Horn Book Guide

"The bold, bright illustrations make this a fun read any time, but the story is definitely bedtime material."
--Santa Maria Sun (Santa Maria, CA)

". . . funny picture book for little princes everywhere. . . . This 'Kiss' doesn't miss a thing."
--The Midwest Book Review

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This disarmingly cute bedtime story from writer-illustrator-dad David Melling (Where Are You?) follows a busy king whose misfired good-night kiss flies right past his son and out the window.

"Once upon a Tuesday the king was in a hurry as usual. 'Goodnight,' he said and blew his son a Royal Kiss." But after rattling around the young prince's room and finding its way out the window, the Royal Kiss hurtles off into a dark and snowy forest. "Follow that Kiss!" commands the king to his loyal knight, and so begins a lengthy, silly chase scene. Even the putative bad guys in this story-- "growly" bears, "swoopy" owls, "dribbly" wolves, and a gigantic dragon--get a shot at providing comic relief, as the kiss streaks and swoops its way through the woods with the not-too-brave knight in hot pursuit.

The inspired illustrations and excellent design alone make this book a fun one, but it's Melling's restrained but infectious sense of fun that will ensure many repeat reads. From the comically animated lion emblazoned on the knight's shield to the forest creatures who seem to dance as they flee the dragon, Melling is clearly having a good time as he tucks us in--and when it comes to ensuring sweet dreams, that almost beats an accurately delivered good-night kiss. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-A busy king hurriedly blows his son a goodnight kiss from the hallway, but it misses its target. Being a royal smooch with enchanting powers, it flies off on an adventure through a dark forest full of wild animals and is hotly pursued by a not-so-gallant young knight, who eventually finds himself face to face with an enormous dragon. However, the magical quality of the kiss tames even the wildest of creatures and when the shivering boy fears his demise, he is kissed rather than fried to a crisp. The knight catches the kiss and brings it safely home. Readers will find both the text and the playful, color, cartoon illustrations amusing. Melling captures great expressions in his caricatures of the bewildered prince, the terrified knight and horse, and the gleeful royal family when the kiss is returned. The tale is refreshingly original and relevant, showing a busy family full of love.
Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764136240
• ISBN-13: 978-0764136245
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #636,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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