"The Kiss That Missed" This book was our introduction to David Melling. Dew Drop Fairy picked it out at the library one week and it was an instant favorite for all of us. The drawings are so clever, comical and full of detail. Another plus: it's short. There are many children's books that I love but I wish that they weren't quite so wordy. No one gets tired of reading this story or tries to sneakily leave out parts to speed up the read.
A somewhat quick rundown: the king is in a hurry (from the pictures we gather he is on his way to a royal bath with royal rubber duckie in tow) Instead of properly bestowing a good night kiss on the prince he haphazardly blows a kiss to his son. As you may have guessed from the title the kiss misses. A trusty knight, whose horseback riding abilities are questionable at best, rides off to catch that kiss. He finds himself in a rather sticky situation surrounded by slathering beasts when the kiss floats past and SWAK's each animal in turn sending them off to dreamland. After being chased by a good night kiss giving dragon the knight successfully returns with the kiss and everyone is happy. The king has learned his lesson and even takes the time to read everyone (slathering beasts included) a bedtime story.
"Good Knight Sleep Tight" The continuing story... there is now a princess who has a special extra-soft bedtime pillow. The royal kitty destroys said pillow and the knight is once again sent on a quest. This time to find something soft enough to fill a new pillow and assist the very unhappy princess off to sleep. He tries bear hair (too coarse) leaving open patches on the bear's bottoms showing material which I can only assume are the boxer shorts bears wear under their fur. The wolves are too bristly, owls aren't enthused at giving up their feathers and take the knight to the feather tree. The knight returns to the sleep deprived castle with a nice fluffy pillow but it doesn't help the princess sleep. The prince, who as the story began was unconvinced of the new princesses charms, gave his little sister a cuddle and she calms right down. Everyone in turn gets a hug and some much needed rest.
While I didn't find this story as clever as Melling's first story it was undeniably adorable and the pictures held the same charm to the delight of my children!
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