She has all a grandchild adores - delicious treats, craft supplies, spare keys to her doors and open arms for hugs.
Nan has ‘spares’ for every occasion and is patient, kind and generous to everyone.
Amongst her treasures and pleasures she has spare kisses. These are the kisses she gives to Eve when she is sad, hurt or lonely.
They’re special - kept for when Eve needs them most. A scraped knee, broken toys or when your day is not going well, can all be made right by one of Nan’s kisses she keeps for such moments.
Inspired by Pip’s own mum and the beautiful relationship she has with her grandchildren, Pip has captured the special bond between grandmother and grandchild. The endless joy, love and affection oozes from the pages of this delightful rhyming text. And in a most heart-tugging twist, Pip presents us with a ‘tables are turned’ scenario when Nan finds herself in need of love and care and Eve is there to comfort her.
Yiscah Marcatili’s has used soft gentle watercolours to create an atmosphere of love and happiness in the joyous times and slightly darker colours for days and moments when things go wrong. The contrasts with colours, as well as the attention to the different facial emotions, help to support the power Nan’s kisses have to change the dark moments to lighter happier times.
There are many books that celebrate the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren and we know a special kiss from a special person has the power to make the world right again. But this book also highlights how the special relationship between Nan and Eve is a powerful example that special role models in our lives teach us valuable lessons. The reader can see that giving is just as joyful as receiving and we all have the power, even in a simple way, to make another’s world just that little bit better.
As a grandma I found this a joyous book to share with my little ones, who love kisses and delight being in the company of that special someone.
Teaching notes available
Ages 4+
Title: Spare Kisses
Author: Pip Harry
Illustrator: Yiscah Marcatili
Publisher: Hachette Australia, $24.99
Publication Date: 31 March 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780734423511
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book
Inspired by Pip’s own mum and the beautiful relationship she has with her grandchildren, Pip has captured the special bond between grandmother and grandchild. The endless joy, love and affection oozes from the pages of this delightful rhyming text. And in a most heart-tugging twist, Pip presents us with a ‘tables are turned’ scenario when Nan finds herself in need of love and care and Eve is there to comfort her.
Yiscah Marcatili’s has used soft gentle watercolours to create an atmosphere of love and happiness in the joyous times and slightly darker colours for days and moments when things go wrong. The contrasts with colours, as well as the attention to the different facial emotions, help to support the power Nan’s kisses have to change the dark moments to lighter happier times.
There are many books that celebrate the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren and we know a special kiss from a special person has the power to make the world right again. But this book also highlights how the special relationship between Nan and Eve is a powerful example that special role models in our lives teach us valuable lessons. The reader can see that giving is just as joyful as receiving and we all have the power, even in a simple way, to make another’s world just that little bit better.
As a grandma I found this a joyous book to share with my little ones, who love kisses and delight being in the company of that special someone.
Teaching notes available
Ages 4+
Title: Spare Kisses
Author: Pip Harry
Illustrator: Yiscah Marcatili
Publisher: Hachette Australia, $24.99
Publication Date: 31 March 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780734423511
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book
