The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn, is a wonderful story for children 3-8. I especially love this story because it gives children a way to reassure themselves when they are away from their family. It is perfect for the first day of school or any time families are separated.
In the story, Chester, a young raccoon, needs to go to school when he would prefer to stay at home with his mom. To reassure her son, Mrs. Raccoon tells her son a secret that will make his time away at school feel better. She kisses Chester's palm and he feels the kiss go right from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart. She tells Chester, whenever you are lonely, just press your hand to your cheek and you feel my kiss and know I love you.
I do this with my little girl when she goes to sleep at night. I kiss her palm and we put her palm on her face in different spots as kisses and she says, "Mama loves me" each time her palm touches her face. It's something special between the two of us.
Love this book.
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