The Kissing Hand

Outline

The Kissing Hand (1993) helps young children cope with the worry of starting school and being apart from the people they love. Chester the raccoon is nervous about his first day, so his mother gives him a special gift: she kisses the palm of his hand so he can press it to his cheek whenever he feels lonely. Audrey Penn’s gentle story is a favourite for easing separation anxiety.

• Starting school can make young children anxious, and a gentle story helps them put those worries into words.
• Chester the raccoon is nervous about his first day, which mirrors what many small children feel.
• His mother kisses the palm of his hand so he can press it to his cheek whenever he feels lonely.
• A simple, physical keepsake of love can comfort a child who is apart from the people they love.

Audrey Penn is an American children’s author best known for The Kissing Hand, which has become a classic read at the start of the school year. She wrote several more books about Chester the raccoon and his family. Her stories focus on helping children understand and manage their feelings.