Engle’s wonderfully stocky lovebirds are multicolored, with watercolor hue gradations and expressive beak shapes. Howes’ rhyming verse is both rollicking and steady, which offsets Rissy’s vulnerability without undermining it. If I can’t show love with kissies, / then I’ll never quite belong.’ ” Mom’s bolstering of Rissy’s boundaries and reassurance that she’s a lovebird family member are cheerworthy now Rissy can explain her preferences more fully, with greater assurance than before, secure in her family and identity. “ ‘Am I mean, Mom?’ Rissy wondered, / ‘or confused or rude or sick? / Are you certain I’m a lovebird? / Are you sure that I’m your chick? // Kissies make my tummy icky. Miss Bluebird accuses her of confusion, Grandma Lovebird of rudeness schoolmates “think Rissy’s being mean.” Why? “We know lovebirds all love kisses,” they parrot. She heads them off admirably-“ ‘No kissies!’ Rissy chirrup with a most emphatic squeak”-but it’s stressful for her. Rissy’s on board for holding wings, “sky-high hugs,” tumbling, and roughhousing, but she can’t bear kisses (giving or receiving). They’re an affectionate bunch, as are their friends and relatives. Rissy is a solid, roundish, colorful lovebird with three siblings, one mother, and one father who are all also lovebirds. A young bird, warm and lively, can’t bear kissing.
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