Counting Kisses
It counts down from ten kisses on the toes to one on the sleepy head, so the book physically gets quieter as it goes and ends with the baby asleep—a countdown you deliver on the actual child while you read it.
Counting Kisses by Karen Katz is estimated to take about 2 minutes to read aloud (90 words, about 1 sentence a page), and it lands best with children aged 0-3.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 2 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Estimated word count
- 90Our estimate
- Sentences per page
- 1Sentence per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 0-3Our editorial fit
Our review
This board book uses a countdown from ten to one to create a natural rhythm that slows down as the story progresses. The theme of kisses makes it a gentle, affectionate experience.
It is particularly effective when read to a child as they are settling down for sleep. It turns the reading session into a physical interaction between parent and child.
Before you buy it
This book only works if you actually give the kisses. Without that physical interaction, it’s just a plain book about numbers.
Themes
- counting down
- kisses
- bedtime
- families
Books like Counting Kisses
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Counting Kisses aloud?
About 2 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 90. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Counting Kisses actually for?
Ages 0-3 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 1 sentence a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Counting Kisses survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is Counting Kisses a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Counting Kisses?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 4 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Counting Kisses on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 1 sentence a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
What themes does Counting Kisses cover?
We tag it with counting down, kisses, bedtime and families. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists Counting Kisses is on
48 reviewed booksBooks for 1 Year OldsFind board books, touch-and-feel books, and flaps for 1 year olds. Includes realistic read-aloud times and age-appropriate selections.
59 reviewed booksBoard BooksA curated list of 60 board books for ages 0-3, including read-aloud times and durability ratings for books that survive chewing and rereading.- 30 reviewed booksBoard Books for ToddlersFind board books built for toddler repetition. Includes read-aloud times and scores for handling constant repeats.