This book is filled with beautiful illustrations and pictures do a great job of setting the environment because the one big difference in raccoons going to school is that they are nocturnal so they go to school at night. This book can be used as a read aloud in the classroom in the beginning of the school year when some of the kids are having a hard time leaving their family. Chester feels less scared after that and before going inside the school he kisses his mother’s hand as well so his mother remembers that he loves her too. I love the concept of how his mom will always be there with him if he misses her as he can just put his palm on his cheek and he will feel better.

His mother kisses his palm, then she closes his hand and he takes her love to school with him. To help ease Chester’s fears, her mother shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go.

This book is a story of Chester Raccoon that is going to school for the first time. It is a beautiful picture book for preschoolers and young children and I would recommend it for ages 5 to 7. We found the cutest way to say good night or good bye or at any time of separation after reading this book and we will cherish it for lifetime. After reading the book, I kissed her hands to say goodbye and she did the same with me just as Chester raccoons does to her Mom in this book. I read this book to my 5 year old niece, Sarah and she absolutely loved it. I am AMAZED! Simply LOVE this book for the fact that it helped create a beautiful bond between me and my niece. Review By Fatima Khan, Associate Producer, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, Illustrations by Ruth E.

The kissinghand