The Kissing Hand facts for kids

The Kissing Hand is a popular American picture book for children. It was written by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak. The story is about a mother raccoon who comforts her child by kissing its paw. This book helps children who feel worried about being away from their parents.

The Child Welfare League of America first published The Kissing Hand in 1993. It quickly became a favorite for helping kids with separation anxiety. In 2007, the National Education Association named it one of the "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children." It was also listed as one of the "Top 100 Picture Books" of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal. The book has been translated into at least five languages. It also has five other books that continue the story.

How the Book Started

Audrey Penn got the idea for The Kissing Hand from a real-life event. She was on a train in Wheaton, Maryland. There, she saw a mother raccoon and her baby. The mother raccoon touched her nose to the baby's paw. Then, the baby raccoon touched its paw to its own face.

A park ranger explained what the raccoons were doing. This special action helped the baby raccoon remember its mother's smell. It could bring its paw to its face and recall her scent. Penn then started a similar ritual with her own daughter. She would kiss her daughter's hand. She told her that if she ever felt homesick, she could put her hand to her face. This would remind her of her mother's love.

Penn wrote The Kissing Hand based on this sweet raccoon ritual. She read the book at VSA arts, an organization that supports arts for people with disabilities. Jean Kennedy Smith, a well-known supporter of the arts, wrote the introduction for the book.

What Is the Story About?

The main character in The Kissing Hand is a young raccoon named Chester. Chester is feeling nervous because it is his first day of school. He does not want to leave his home and his mother.

To help Chester feel better, his mother does something special. She kisses the middle of his palm. She tells him that whenever he feels lonely or needs some love from home, he can do something simple. He just needs to press his hand to his cheek. When he does this, he should think, "Mommy loves you. Mommy loves you." This special kiss helps Chester feel comforted. After getting his "kissing hand," Chester feels brave enough to go to school.

Sequels and More Books

Because The Kissing Hand was so popular, Audrey Penn wrote more books about Chester and his family. These books continue the adventures and lessons from the first story. They include:

• A Pocket Full of Kisses (1999)
• A Kiss Goodnight (2000)
• Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Thing (2001)
• Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories (2009)
• Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover (2015)

These follow-up books help children learn about different feelings and situations, always with the loving support of Chester's family.