The Kissing Hand

The Kissing Hand
Written by Audrey Penn
Illustrations by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
Publisher: Tanglewood Press
August, 2007
Grade Levels: Pre-K-1
Themes: Love and Family

Summary: Chester the raccoon does not want to go to school. He wants to stay home with his mom. She assures Chester that he will have fun at school. He will meet new friends, play with new toys and read new books. She then tells him the secret of the kissing hand that she learned from her mother. She kisses him in the palm of his hand. Chester feels the love of his mother's kiss immediately. She tells him that whenever he feels lonely at school put his hand to his cheek and he will feel her love.

Reflection: This is one of of my favorite books. I think that this is a great book to read to children on the first day of school. Most children can relate to Chester. It is a simple story filled with love.

Pre-Reading: I will talk with children about feeling lonely or sad. What did you do to make yourself feel better or did someone help you to feel better. 

Post Reading: This lesson is geared towards younger children. I will paint their hand and then they will press it on a piece of paper. Once is dries, we will place a heart in the middle of it. The children will have their very own kissing hand. They will give it to someone they love very much. I will put a typed message onto the children's papers explaining to their parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles or grandparents what a kissing hand is.

About the Author:

Audrey Penn's first career was dancing with the National Ballet in New York City. She became ill with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis so  she had to give up dancing. Penn loved writing in her journal as a young girl and decided she would start writing. She lives with her husband, three children and one foster child and her dogs in Maryland. One of her daughters inspired The Kissing Hand.