Reviews: (by author)

Deak, Gloria. The Kissing Skunks. Illus. Cheryl Nathan. NY: Star Bright, 2006. $16.95. ISBN 1-932065-46-6.

Not often do you come across a love story about skunks. Part of the charm of this picturebook is that the skunks are a long-married couple who get along famously. Skunk role models-oh, yes! From page one with its deadpan prose and vibrant, distinctive art, this good-natured little story is very satisfying. Harriet wants a hat; I mean, she really wants a hat, and Harry, "who liked to wear bright colors himself," is full both of affection and approval. Most of the story is about Harriet's day of shopping for chapeaux-all colors, all imaginative constructions. But nowhere can she find a white hat. Of course, she eventually finds it, the one unique, very large white hat available in the city, and the rest of the story is her homecoming with it. The author fits in a lot of information within the whimsical tale, and each flight of authorial fancy is accompanied by admirably eye-pleasing and original paintings. It's an unusual and likable book.

A. Allison, March 2006

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