The Kissing Hand

Going away from mommy and daddy to a new school can be especially difficult and scary for any child (and parent too). This sweet little book helped us with the pre-school transition by creating a new daily tradition. The simple gesture, illustrated by the cute little raccoons in the book, offers comfort to both mother and child and creates something they can look forward to in their daily routine. The story sweetly alleviates the separation anxiety, for both parent and child, that often accompanies starting school or being away from each other for any length of time.

Penn’s poignant tale, with its captivating illustrations and powerful message about facing anxious moments, never gets old. Chester the raccoon is worried about leaving his mother and starting school. His mother gently encourages Chester to face his worry by saying, “Sometimes we all have to do things we don’t want to do. Even if they seem strange and scary at first.”

Chester’s mom helps him further cope by sharing an old, wonderful secret called the Kissing Hand that she learned from her mother. This special Kissing Hand gesture reminds Chester of his mother’s love and bolsters him with strength and… show more.