The Kiss That Missed [Hardcover]

David Melling (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

One evening, when the King is in a hurry, his goodnight kiss to the Little Prince goes astray. After rattling around the Prince's bedroom, it flies out the window and floats into the dark forest, where it has no business to be. The King decides to do something about it. He orders the Knight to climb on his horse, ride into the forest, and bring back the kiss. But the forest is filled with spooky things that frighten both the Knight and his horse. How will they ever succeed in bringing the kiss back to the castle? This funny story features Daivd Melling's atmospheric and richly colored illustrations on every page. It makes a great bedtime story for kids who are about the same age as the Little Prince. (Ages 4-7)

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

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (December 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764154516
• ISBN-13: 978-0764154515
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great find, February 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kiss That Missed (Hardcover)

I picked this book up by chance, and my son will not let me put in down! It is great. The illustrations are very detailed and lead to great conversations. It is almost a shame it is a "bedtime book" because we get so involved in talking about the story and the pictures that he doesn't really get sleepy. It is a favorite of us both. I am sure that this will be the gift we bring to every birthday party we are invited to in the future.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful find, August 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kiss That Missed (Hardcover)

I took this out from the library and boy did we enjoy this book. The illustrations remind me of Disney cartoons. The plot is so fun and everything ends up happily ever after. Whats wrong with that? Shouldn't bed time be peaceful and funny? Even this parent enjoyed it. A great good night read. I'm going to purchase one for me and my 5 year old.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This "Kiss" doesn't miss a thing, April 7, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kiss That Missed (Hardcover)

What might happen if a king's goodnight kiss is blown to his son, but accidentally misses...and lands on a dragon instead? In this funny picture book for little princes everywhere, that's exactly the dilemma at hand. The king is in too big of a hurry to give his son a proper tucking in bed, so the kiss goes astray, floating out the Prince's bedroom window. The king orders his knight to mount his horse and give chase, but the forest is filled with spooky things. Faced with bears and wolves, they loose sight of the kiss, which flies right up the nose of a giant green dragon. As the knight ponders the problem, a bigger problem finds him when the dragon takes chase. Will this the tragic end of the knight and his horse? The big kiss off? Author/illustrator David Melling ("Gerda The Goose") builds the climax into a grin-worthy story twist, and the moral of the story is one that will not be taken lightly by all those too-busy dads out there. This "Kiss" doesn't miss a thing.