Mommy Is a Soft, Warm Kiss

A towheaded girl uses metaphors to express what her mother is to her. On the beach, she's “a buried treasure/ in the sand and sun./ I cover her... discover her!/ What silly summer fun!” and on Thanksgiving, “Mommy is a yummy smell/ of pumpkin pie, so sweet./ We share a meal with company,/ give thanks,/ then eat/ and eat!” Despite some syrupy moments (“Mommy is a happy tune I keep inside my heart”), Smith's sunny acrylic and watercolor illustrations are sweetly affectionate without being too sugary. Ages 3–6. (Apr.)