Meaningful Bedtime Stories: The Kissing Hand

Written by Audrey Penn, the kissing hand has been a cherished book since first being published in 1993. From that time on parents and teachers alike use this book to comfort children when they must be separated from their parents for a brief time. The sweet and detailed illustrations, by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak, set a loving tone as we immerse ourselves in the life of a little raccoon who is starting school for the first time.

We start out in the midst of a forest with a very sad Chester Raccoon. He tells his Mother, Mrs. Raccoon that he does not want to go to school. He so much enjoys staying at home, playing with his friends, and swinging on his swing. Mrs. Raccoon assures Chester that new things may seem scary at first, but if he just tries school out, he will love it. He continues to tell him all the wonderful new things he will be able to do and discover and learn at school.

Mrs. Raccoon tells Chester that in addition to all the great things school has to offer, she knows a special secret that will make school seem just like home. Chester begins to brighten up and is told about the magic of the "Kissing Hand." Mrs. Raccoon showed Chester that if he spread open his hand she could give it a kiss that would "rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart." This magic kiss would stay on his hand all through school and whenever he needed a little comfort, he could press it tightly to his cheek and feel the warmth of home.

Chester, armed with the secret "Kissing Hand," now has a new enthusiasm for going to school. His fear is not completely gone, but had been greatly eased. When it is time to go to school in the large forest tree with the other animals, Chester turns to his mother with a smile and takes her hand. Palm up, Chester kisses her hand and says, "Now you have a Kissing Hand, too." As Chester prances off to school, Mrs. Raccoon looks down at her hand and knows that she was loved.

The Kissing Hand can be used mainly to help children overcome their uncertainties of starting school, but applies to so many new beginnings from children. It can be read to children when they go off to spend a few days at a grandparent's house, when they are left with a babysitter for the evening, or even going to bed at night. This book can be used in any situation in which children will be away from their parents. The author, Audrey Penn, came up with a loving and logical solution to a childhood fear. As parents, it is also hard for us to be away from our children when new milestones come up in life. Having their little kiss in the palm of our hand gives us the extra love we need too. The Kissing Hand continues to comfort children and be a useful tool to parents for the past 17 years. It has earned its spot as a classic picture book every home library should have.


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