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If Kisses Were Colors
If kisses were colors you'd see every one
of the bands of a rainbow that shines in the sun.
Perfect as a Mother's Day or baby shower gift, this tender book expresses the immeasurable love that parents have for their children-warmer than a wool blanket, sturdier than an oak tree, brighter than a rainbow. It's a sentiment that will soothe and delight the adults as well as their youngsters, and the lyrical verse is complemented by delicate, fanciful paintings that possess a timeless beauty and charm.
Illustrated by Alison Jay.
of the bands of a rainbow that shines in the sun.
Perfect as a Mother's Day or baby shower gift, this tender book expresses the immeasurable love that parents have for their children-warmer than a wool blanket, sturdier than an oak tree, brighter than a rainbow. It's a sentiment that will soothe and delight the adults as well as their youngsters, and the lyrical verse is complemented by delicate, fanciful paintings that possess a timeless beauty and charm.
Illustrated by Alison Jay.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2003
156 people want to read
About the author
Janet Lawler
47 books16 followersJanet Lawler is the author of many books for children and is particularly inspired by the natural world. Her inspiration for this book came after listening to a YouTube recording of ten hours’ worth of walrus sounds, after which she wanted to learn more about these interesting creatures and share that knowledge with young readers. She had great fun creating words that reflect the weird noises walruses make! Janet Lawler lives with her family in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 25, 2013
Excellent book, the perfect gift for a baby shower.
July 11, 2008
Ethan likes this book!
May 7, 2021
This has very whimsical illustrations that make you happy!
July 6, 2018
"If Kisses Were Colours" by Janet Lawler.
It's hard to believe anyone would give less than five stars to this book. Such gentle, warm, tender book that in simple enough words describes parents' love for their child. Just love it!
Illustrations by Alison Jay fit the words perfectly.
This is a perfect first book. Even if your child doesn't understand the written word, the tone is what appeals as at the end of the day, your voice is what matters. If I had only come across it sooner.
5 stars without a doubt!
It's hard to believe anyone would give less than five stars to this book. Such gentle, warm, tender book that in simple enough words describes parents' love for their child. Just love it!
Illustrations by Alison Jay fit the words perfectly.
This is a perfect first book. Even if your child doesn't understand the written word, the tone is what appeals as at the end of the day, your voice is what matters. If I had only come across it sooner.
5 stars without a doubt!
December 30, 2020
Beautiful. Babys Christmas gift
April 22, 2012
Honestly I gave this book five stars because I love the artwork with its crackled aged look. I first discovered Alison Jay while I was taking a Children's Literature class and needed an ABC book (Her's is really good). So when I saw this at the book sale today, I decided to give it a try. It's an ode from a parent to her child and has some really adorable illustrations. It compares kisses to raindrops, pebbles, acorns, comets, flowers and blankets. It is through them she shows her baby how much she/he is loved. Recommended for ages birth - 5 years, 5 stars.
November 5, 2015
Very cutesy little story for any little one to enjoy as their falling asleep. A non-specific topic except an admittance of the love for one to another.
The nice thing about the repetitive lyrics is the fact that it's a boardbook. What's so special about boardbooks? Well it's the fact that baby can chew on it and mum doesn't have to worry about how much they paid for it. Inexpensive is the point I'm getting at, that's the bonus part!
The colors are shades of pastel which almost demonstrates a soothing or relaxing air. This story would be good for starter books and bedtime stories.
The nice thing about the repetitive lyrics is the fact that it's a boardbook. What's so special about boardbooks? Well it's the fact that baby can chew on it and mum doesn't have to worry about how much they paid for it. Inexpensive is the point I'm getting at, that's the bonus part!
The colors are shades of pastel which almost demonstrates a soothing or relaxing air. This story would be good for starter books and bedtime stories.
November 15, 2009
This is just an ode to babies and kissable feet, isn't it? It's full of poetic descriptions of what the world would be like if kisses were something else - and how you could *see* how many there are, because parents don't just stop kissing and loving their kids.
Beautiful artwork (well, of course, it's Alison Jay!), and a sweet story. I easily recommend it as a new-baby present, or a first birthday gift for your own kiddo.
Beautiful artwork (well, of course, it's Alison Jay!), and a sweet story. I easily recommend it as a new-baby present, or a first birthday gift for your own kiddo.
February 26, 2013
Beautiful folk art illustrations by Alison Jay are used to tell the story of how important and wondrous kisses can be. Whether it kisses are pebbles on the beach or flowers in a garden or even acorns that grown into beautiful oak trees, they represent a tangleable thing that have lasting impact.
Read this wonderful book to your young one and tell them that as Janet Lawler said:
If kisses were blankets
You’d always be warm
Wrapped up from the cold
During winter’s worst storm
Read this wonderful book to your young one and tell them that as Janet Lawler said:
If kisses were blankets
You’d always be warm
Wrapped up from the cold
During winter’s worst storm
November 24, 2013
This book was a very sweet book about the amazing love a mother has for her child and how it is immeasurable. It describes that if kisses were colors, you would see rainbows everywhere and if kisses were pebbles, you would have a beach full of pebbles. It is a great book and if you are a mother it is extremely relatable. It has very good and different illustrations. It is also a rhyming book.
March 30, 2014
Lawler, J. & Jay, A. (2003). If Kisses Were Colors. NY: Dial Books.
This book would be a good book to read to a child before bed. This book conveys how much a parent loves their child. I think this book would be great for kids ages 3-4, that way the kids are old enough to understand the words, but not quite old enough to read. I loved this book because it shows a parents love while using analogies that kids may understand.
This book would be a good book to read to a child before bed. This book conveys how much a parent loves their child. I think this book would be great for kids ages 3-4, that way the kids are old enough to understand the words, but not quite old enough to read. I loved this book because it shows a parents love while using analogies that kids may understand.
November 3, 2025
3 ★ (liked it)
{Reviewed 11/2/25} ❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
A simple, whimsical picture book! I might have read this to the twins once? I know my mom probably read it to me as a child XD I'll have to pull it out again, it's been awhile so I don't recall much XD
❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Recommended for... n/a
***Content Warnings, or things that caught my attention: none!
All thoughts are my own!
{Reviewed 11/2/25} ❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
A simple, whimsical picture book! I might have read this to the twins once? I know my mom probably read it to me as a child XD I'll have to pull it out again, it's been awhile so I don't recall much XD
❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Recommended for... n/a
***Content Warnings, or things that caught my attention: none!
All thoughts are my own!
May 7, 2014
This book is sweet without being precious.
The text is truly lovely. It reads with a soft lilting rhythm, and contains some beautiful word choices.
The artwork, however, is why I picked up this book and why I loved it. It is wonderful retro and timeless, all at once. It is beautiful and humorous. It elevates and enhances the text.
The text is truly lovely. It reads with a soft lilting rhythm, and contains some beautiful word choices.
The artwork, however, is why I picked up this book and why I loved it. It is wonderful retro and timeless, all at once. It is beautiful and humorous. It elevates and enhances the text.
June 26, 2008
This is a book that rhymes. I'm not a huge fan of books that rhyme, but i liked this book. The illustrations were created using alkyd oil paint on paper with crackling varnish. To make them look very old.
July 25, 2008
A very sweet book to let your littel one know that your love is all round them, even when you physically are not right there. Would be a comforting book to read to give a positive lesson about your Love to a child before you would be going away for any amount of time.
June 15, 2011
Kisses are shared freely at my house, especially with my little ones. This is a fun book that makes me want to go home and shower my little ones with kisses again and again. A fun read for parents and children to do together or children on their own. Reading level is 4 years and up.
September 18, 2015
I bought this book for my daughter for Valentine's Day. She's only 1 and not yet really following stories/books, but I loved this one. It is so sweet, and, I would say, unique. If I could, I'd read it to her several times a day!
December 24, 2007
Not only is this book beautifully illustrated, but it sends a great message to little ones regarding the endless love parents have for their children.
April 9, 2008
I read this book to Mia every night, it's one of her favorites! I've got it memorized by now. I love the message.
April 25, 2008
We read this book every couple of days to our son!
June 6, 2008
Beautifully illustrated. Love this book.
July 11, 2008
This book makes a great bedtime story for the kids.
July 22, 2008
This was our first valentines day gift to our daughter. I love the imagry and images.
September 2, 2008
A sweet book with Janet Lawler's attractive folk art style illustrations (including a really nice drawing of an acorn).
October 20, 2008
This book takes you into a whimsical world and is a lovely treat for mother and child. A great story that expresses a mother's love for her child.
October 21, 2008
Such cute wording, and I absolutely LOVE the illustrations.
November 1, 2008
Beautiful illustrations -
Maybe it's my mood today, but the poem did not catch my attention. The book left me slightly bored, which would make it difficult to share with a child.
Maybe it's my mood today, but the poem did not catch my attention. The book left me slightly bored, which would make it difficult to share with a child.
January 13, 2009
Beautifully illustrated, rhyming text - musing on the world and love. Better than most of these "sweet" love books to babies and children.
January 19, 2010
Share a special moment with your own child in this simple read.
April 29, 2010
This was the first book I read to both my boys when they were born. It has such a sweet message and the illustrations are beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews