The+Kissing+Hand

//By: Audrey Penn // //Illustrated by: Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak //
 * The Kissing Hand **

//Reviewed by: Alyssa Zadrovicz //



Title: The Kissing Hand Author: Audrey Penn Illustrator: Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak Publisher: Tanglewood Press Genre: Children’s Literature Publication Type: 1993 ISBN: 978-1933718101

media type="youtube" key="kXT1ANWka4A" width="560" height="315" A Read Along of //The Kissing Hand//

**Summary**: Chester Raccoon doesn't want to go to school. He would rather stay at home, read and play with friends. His mother tells Chester Raccoon that sometimes we all need need to do things that we don't want to do. His mother then tells Chester about a little secret called "The Kissing Hand". The Kissing Hand reassures Chester when his mother kisses his open palm and tells him that her love will always be with him. Whenever he feels lonely or needs some love from home, all he has to do is touch his palm to his face and he will feel safe.

**Book Review**: A New York Times #1 Bestseller and the winner of the "Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Educational Publishing", this story can be helpful for any child who confronts a difficult situation. Using raccoons as the main characters, this story communicates the important message that you are loved. This story can be read to students who are just starting Kindergarten or who are experiencing separation from a loved one. This was one of my favorite books to read as a child. When I first went to Kindergarten, my mom opened up my hand and kissed my palm and I did the same. Whenever I wanted to think of her during the day, I would touch my palm to my face and feel her love.

**Author Biography**: Born in 1947, Audrey Penn grew up in Maryland and didn't start her career as a writer, but a ballerina. Her daughter inspired //The Kissing Hand,// which is now a series that conveys the lessons that Mrs. Raccoon gives to her son, Chester.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Literary Analysis Element:** Penn uses anthropomorphism by giving Mrs. Raccoon and Chester Raccoon the ability to speak. The readers of this story will fall in love with the cute characters. Harper and Leak illustrate beautiful pictures that use warm and cool colors. The illustrations help the reader decode what is going on throughout the story. For example on page 2, the reader can tell that Chester Raccoon is obviously upset since there is a tear running from his eye. On pages 9 and 10, the reader can see from the illustrations that Mrs. Raccoon is kissing Chester's hand and it is filled with love because hearts are radiating from his palm. Even though this story can appeal to those who are going through a difficult situation, this book can be read to students of all backgrounds to show them that they are loved.