MY REVIEWSeparation anxiety is something nearly all children will experience to some extent when starting school, daycare, or even going to their first sleep over. That's where this book comes into play. I like this book because it is a simple, yet efficient way to help young children with this problem. The kissing hand is an easily relatable and also easy to imitate book. I can easily see teachers using this book on the first day of school to make students feel more comfortable in their new environment. I think that this book could also be used in the classroom with the arrival of a new student. The books illustrations add to the story. They may not be the brightest pictures, but they are most definitely detailed, and very full of life. This book sparks traditions, is helpful, and can be used at different times in a classroom. I think that this book is very heart-warming, and would keep the interest of children while it was being read to them, or when being read aloud. LEARNING EXPERIENCEMaterials Needed*Heart Die cuts with the letters of the alphabet*Hand die cuts with pictures of things that start with each letter of the alphabet. 1. The teacher will lay out the hand and heart die cuts and ask the children to match each die cut to the picture that the letter starts with. (Ex: The letter R will be matched with Raccoon.)2. The teacher will encourage the children to say the name of each letter.3. After all the letters have been matched to their sounds the game is over and each and should have a heart on it.
If you have pre-schoolers or very young elementary school children, you need to have this book.There are a lot of picture books published every year, but to hit on one that will stand the test of time and be sold generation after generation, is a rare book, and one every writer is hoping for. I believe that Audrey Penn found that with The Kissing Hand.Young Chester Raccoon is nervous about leaving the safety of home to go to school. To reassure him that all is okay, his mother kisses the palm of his hand and tells him that whenever he feels lonely to hold his hand to his cheek and he'll be reminded of the warmth of her love.This is simple and beautiful and I've never known anyone to regret owning this. My wife and I read the book and used the idea with our own children for many years and still do it on rare occasions. It gets a groan from our nearly-adult teenagers, but you can see that it holds meaning to them.The artwork is simple and charming and a perfect fit for the book. Slightly stylized, it is often bright and full of friendly creatures in the raccoon world. It is just the sort of art that a youngster enjoys seeing, over and over, during the repetitive readings.Looking for a good book? If you have children or grand-children, this will be one of the books on your shelf, and you should own it proudly and read it often.
What do You think about The Kissing Hand (1993)?
The Kissing Hand is a children's picture book that was written by Audrey Penn. This was one of my favorite books as a kid, and my mom read it to me every night before bed. In the story, Chester is a young raccoon who is about to go to his first day of school. He is worried about many things and does not want to go. His mother comforts him by kissing the inside of his palm. She tells him that whenever he feels lonely or wants to go home, that he can put his palm to his cheek and know that his mom loves him. I would feel comfortable reading this story to children in kindergarten and up, because it is age appropriate and many students can relate to the fear of going to school. The theme of this book is overcoming our fears, love, and family bonds. By the end of the book Chester is absolutely loving school, and he is excited to go from then on.
—Alyssa Hafen
My last baby recently started Kindergarten. I have been through this twice before with his older brothers, however being the last one, his starting Kindergarten had a profound effect on me. I read The Kissing Hand to him the weekend before school started. He has been going to daycare since he was 6 weeks old, so I think that this book was more for me than it was for him. By now, he seems to have no problem leaving me for the day.The story is about a little raccoon that is going off to school but doesn't want to and how his mother shares a secret with him that will help him through the day each time he is missing her.When the book was done and my son ran off to go play, I was left sitting there with huge crocodile tears in my eyes. I'm not sure how much the book did for helping my son through the day, but I can tell you that I am pressing my palm to my cheek right now and feeling just a little bit better. I would recommend this book to anyone with children. Whether you have already sent them off to school or not. I wouldn't even consider it a requirement to read it to them however I also recommend you have some tissues handy.
—Melissa
Typically I shy away from these syrupy kind of books but I have to admit I like this one. I detest the thought of sending my kids off to be in the hands of someone that might possibly think that they are anything less than brilliant, wildly creative, hilarious and compassionate. And I really detest the thought of them having any moments of missing home or me. When I see kids at the school I work at cry, I ache with wondering how my own kids are doing at their school and these silly little rituals (such as the one in the Kissing Hand) actually come to mind and kind of sort of comfort me as I conjure up pictures of my sweet little daughter abiding by them with fierce loyalty.
—Malbadeen
