"A face without freckles, is like a sky without stars."
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Angel Kisses – Freckles are from Angels by Elizabeth Plummer Trafford Publishing
book review by L. Alonso
This is not so much a story as it is a warm encouragement to those children who feel self-conscious about their freckles. The term "angel kisses" is borrowed from the narrator's "grandma" as a loving term used to describe those very same freckles sprinkled across many a cheek and nose. Throughout the book, various examples of spotted creatures are used to illustrate the abundance of freckles in nature. This is employed as a clever strategy to instill pride in the young reader who will see their own "spots" as a unique and interesting feature that unites them with a collection of beautiful animals—leopards, ladybugs, horses and giraffes—who wear their own "freckles" proudly.
As an early reader, Angel Kisses uses simple language to successfully convey its message of having pride in one's unique beauty. It offers an interesting perspective by viewing animals' distinct patterns and coloring as analogous to the freckles on a child's face. The book also invites participation from the reader by asking them to name other freckle-bearers, a feature generally appreciated by the younger audience the book is intended for. The illustrator shows a clear proficiency in their rendering of the book's figures, and while the basic drawings are adequate and compliment the text, they might have made better use of the white space on the page. Overall however, Angel Kisses succeeds in helping children love themselves and all their wonderful "spots."