When Kiss Me Goodnight arrived at my doorstep, my toddlers jumped about me, excited that I held a new book in my hands – one that they could also share. Honestly, it was the perfect impromptu excuse to bribe them to pick up their scattered toys. This they did with astonishing speed. 

We sat down together and admired the cover: Mary, slightly bent, is holding the child Jesus over a sleeping boy so that Jesus can give him a kiss. This image alone sold the book to me. If I could get it as a poster, I would hang it near my children’s beds. What a comforting picture to fall asleep to! A goodnight kiss from baby Jesus.

As we read through the pages, we were delighted with the bright and lively illustrations of a loving family, lavishing hugs and kisses on this little boy.  Each page showcases a different moment in his day. Affection is given to him or by him as he interacts with different family members: mom, dad, grandparents, and cousins. For instance, he was told to stop playing with the cat and give daddy a kiss goodbye before his father went to work.  Later, his mom asked him if he would like a chicken sandwich, a kiss sandwich or both, for lunch. Finally, when he is getting kissed goodnight, he tries to steal another last one.

The moments in this story provide a precious opportunity to shower affection on your own toddlers. Mine giggled in delight as I became a kiss monster and kissed them too. I asked them why they liked this story. One replied: “Because it is a kiss story!” They, in their typical fashion, begged me to read it again and again. This book, I didn’t mind rereading multiple times because of the ease of the story and the positive messages. When their father came home, they asked him to read it too. When he had finished, he also was bombarded by them wanting it to be read again. 

One of the moments in the book that I was impressed by was that the mother explains to her son that Jesus had many wounds, and with reverence we kiss Him where he was hurt. My kids wanted to find a crucifix and kiss His wounds too.

I recommend this book to Catholic families with toddlers. I was delighted by the joy that my own children experienced with each read. This has quickly become a favorite book.