As parents, we adore showing our children how much we love them through hugs, kisses, tickles, and snuggles. But we also know there comes a day when parents’ hearts sink a little because their offspring decide they have “outgrown” the need for these signs of affection.
Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs by Lisa Tawn Bergren (WaterBrook & Multnomah) is a gorgeous, diverse picture book about a little boy who tells his mom he’s too old for “mama kisses” and his dad’s “papa hugs.”
In response, each of them goes through examples of how other mothers and fathers hug and kiss their children…and ultimately, how God hugs and kisses us, too. This fun, light, and super-cozy read for families emphasizes love and encourages children to rest in the knowledge that they are never too old for mama kisses or papa hugs.
About Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs
From the creator of the bestselling God Gave Us You comes a warm exploration of the ways parents show affection–and how familial love mirrors God’s affection for his followers.
Parents are always looking out for the perfect bedtime book to create a sense of well-being before a night of rest. Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs explores a child’s curiosity about how love is shown between parent and child, with the reassurance that Mama and Papa will always love their little one. And like Lisa Tawn Bergren’s young protagonist asks his mother, this question is pressing on the minds of many children:
“Mama, how does God kiss us?”
Mama smiled. “He kisses us a hundred times a day; although if you don’t pay attention, you might miss it.”
“At night, he kisses us with a shooting star. In the morning, he kisses us with sunlight, crawling across the fields and into our windows. On a hot summer afternoon, he kisses us with a gentle breeze. But most of all, he kisses us through our family. That’s how God made us. That’s why I give you Mama kisses and Daddy gives you Papa Hugs.”
“I wrote Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs for our youngest, Jack,” Bergren shared. “I wrote it when he was about the age of the boy pictured in the book and feeling a bit ‘too grown-up’ for kisses and hugs. My son is now 17-years-old and, of course, we’re going to give him a big hug and smooch to celebrate the release of this book from WaterBrook & Multnomah this month!”
Bergren went on to share that her book will resonate with parents, grandparents, educators, and librarians because it reinforces the fact that children need to know that they are loved and cared for, no matter how big they get. Showing love and reassurance is especially crucial in light of the world’s recent changes and fears.
“This picture book can help kids understand that affection is an act of love, not a means to embarrass! I hope that families all over the world will go to bed with big smiles on their faces after reading it.”
As a veteran author of over 50 books, Bergren is always happy to lend her wisdom to the next generation of budding authors. When asked what specific advice she would give, she writes, “Read like crazy in the genre you wish to write. Outline a couple of your favorite books to see what the author accomplished in that book that made you take notice—define their hallmarks! Then set out to do the same in your style. There are tons of writing resources, one of which is WritersDigest.com. This site is an awesome resource, regardless of what you want to write. I spent years reading their magazine, and it gave me a solid foundation on which to start writing and marketing my books.”
Grab your copy of this wonderful book HERE.
About Lisa Tawn Bergren
Lisa T. Bergren is the author of over fifty books, with more than 4 million copies sold. Her work includes children’s books, historical and contemporary fiction, women’s nonfiction, and gift books. A freelance writer and editor, Lisa lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She and her husband, Tim, are the parents of three children.
Connect with Lisa
https://www.facebook.com/lisatawnbergren
https://twitter.com/lisatbergren
https://www.instagram.com/lisatbergren/
Connect with WaterBrook & Multnomah:
https://www.facebook.com/WaterBrookMultnomah
https://twitter.com/WaterBrookPress
https://www.youtube.com/user/WaterBrookMultnomah
https://www.instagram.com/waterbrookmultnomah
Debut author Erin Yun grew up in Frisco, Texas. She received her BFA in English from New York University and served as president of its policy debate team. This experience came in handy for her job as the debate consultant for the Tony-nominated Best Play on Broadway—What the Constitution Means to Me. Erin is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and has written reviews and articles for BookBrowse. She currently lives in New York City, and yes—she used to play basketball as a middle grader! Her debut book, 
