This is the last day of the PB 14:14 Challenge…and although I already posted today, I’m going to add an additional post because I missed one day last week.

This is one of my all-time favorite books…before it was published, the author read it to kids in schools, libraries and children’s hospitals.

Title: The Kissing Hand

Author: Audrey Penn

Illustrator: Ruth Harper and Nancy Leak

Publisher: Child & Family Press

Date: 1993

Top Ten Element: Theme

Word Count: 550 estimated

Age Level: 3+

Opening Lines:

Chester Raccoon stood at the edge of the forest and cried. ‘I don’t want to go to school,’ he told his mother. ‘I want to stay home with you. I want to play with my friends. And swing on my swing. Please may I stay home with you?’

Synopsis:  

When Chester Raccoon complains about going to school for the first time, his wise mother shares a wonderful secret with him of how to carry her love with her wherever he goes.

The THEME of this story is timeless…love conquers all…keeping those we love close to our hearts can help us face our fears. According to Jean Kennedy Smith who wrote the introduction to the book, “this is a story for any child who confronts a difficult situation, and for the child within each of us who sometimes needs reassurance.”

I did a review plus activities for this story here. https://viviankirkfield.com/2012/01/06/picture-perfect-book-friday-the-kissing-hand/