The Kiss That Missed Book

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

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 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