Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs

No one can have enough hugs and kisses, especially our children.  This is especially true right now.  The new children's book by Lisa Tawn Bergren and Aleksandar Zolotie, Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs, is a  wonderful treat to share with a child as a reminder of how precious hugs and kisses are.  I received this book from Waterbrook and Multnomah as a member of a launch team for an honest review.
The story begins with a mother tucking her son in to bed and her boy telling her that he is too old for kisses.  The mother then explains, "Kisses are good...It's how mothers show our children how much we love them."  The boy then asks, "Does every mother give mama kisses?'

The mother answers the question by imagining how various animals give their young kisses. The child finally asks, "How does God kiss us?" The mother's answer is inspiring, she says, "He kisses us hundreds of time a day...At night, he kisses us with a shooting star. In the morning he kisses us with sunlight that crawls across the fields and streams into our windows.  Most of all, he kisses us through our family, that is how God made us to share love." The imagery of the words and the pictures are enchanting.

Next the father comes into the story to share a prayer and the boy tells his father that although he may not be too old for mama kisses, he is getting too big for papa hugs.

The father and the son explore different scenarios of hugs from fathers, both animals and robots.

Finally once again the son asks, "How does God give us hugs?" and the father answers, "Hundreds of times throughout the day, God sends us hugs...He hugs us when we sing with others...Or when snow blankets the hills and everything is completely still..."

The father then explains that God gives his people hugs through their families. The boy decides that indeed he is not too old for mama kisses or papa hugs.

Bergren's book, Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs is a gentle reminder that God is always with us, showing us his love, but we must be intentional to acknowledge it in our lives and share it with others.  

I encourage children young and old to read Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs to each other and share God's love.