“Sometimes we all have to do things we don't want to do, even if they seem strange and scary at first.”
— Mrs. Raccoon comforting Chester about starting school.
Archivist's Choice
The Kissing Hand
Audrey Penn (1993)
Genre
Fantasy / Children's
Reading Time
5 min
Key Themes
See below
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A mother raccoon shares a secret 'Kissing Hand' with her son to magically deliver her love and comfort him through the anxieties of starting school.
Synopsis
Chester Raccoon is nervous about starting school and doesn't want to leave his mother. To comfort him, Mrs. Raccoon shares a special family secret called the Kissing Hand. She kisses the palm of his hand, explaining that whenever he feels lonely or scared at school, he can press his hand to his cheek and feel her love. This secret makes Chester feel much better and brave enough to go to school.
Once at school, Chester is happy and engaged, but then he thinks of his mother and misses her. He remembers the Kissing Hand and presses his hand to his cheek, feeling her love. He then realizes his mother might be lonely too, so he gives her a Kissing Hand of her own, placing a kiss in her palm before going off to play with his new friends. Mrs. Raccoon feels Chester's love and knows he will be alright.
Reading time
5 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Slow
Mood
Heartwarming, Reassuring, Gentle
✓ Read this if...
Your child is starting school, daycare, or experiencing any separation anxiety, and you want a gentle, heartwarming story to ease their fears.
✗ Skip this if...
You are looking for a complex plot or a book for older children/adults.
Plot Summary
Chester's First Day Jitters
As autumn arrives, young Chester Raccoon feels worried about starting school. He tells his mother, Mrs. Raccoon, that he does not want to go. He prefers to stay home with her, playing with his friends, and doing all the familiar things he enjoys. He worries about a new place, new smells, and being away from his mother. Mrs. Raccoon listens to his concerns, understanding his apprehension about leaving the comfort and safety of their home to go to school, a place where he will be without her for the first time.
The Secret of the Kissing Hand
To help Chester with his fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a very old and special family secret with him: the Kissing Hand. She explains that it is a magical way to carry her love with him wherever he goes. She takes Chester's small hand and spreads his tiny fingers wide. Then, she leans down and gives a soft, warm kiss right in the middle of his palm. She tells him that whenever he feels lonely or scared at school, he can press his hand to his cheek and feel her love, just like a kiss.
Chester's Reassurance
Chester Raccoon is interested in the Kissing Hand. He tries it out by pressing his palm to his cheek, and a warm feeling immediately spreads through him. He understands that this is his mother's love, always there for him. The secret makes him feel a little braver, knowing that even when they are apart, a piece of his mother's affection will be with him. The thought of this secret comfort helps to calm some of his worries about the upcoming school day.
A Kiss for Mrs. Raccoon
Feeling more secure, Chester has an idea. He asks his mother to lean closer. He then takes her hand, spreads her fingers wide, and places a kiss right in the middle of her palm, just as she had done for him. He tells her that she can keep his kiss in her hand and press it to her cheek whenever she misses him. This act shows his understanding of the Kissing Hand's power and his own love for his mother, assuring her that she too will carry a piece of him.
Ready for School
With the Kissing Hand safely in his own hand, Chester Raccoon feels ready for his first day of school. He waves goodbye to his mother as he heads off into the forest. He still feels a bit nervous, but the warm, tingly feeling in his palm reminds him that his mother's love is with him, giving him the courage he needs to explore his new environment and meet new friends. The Kissing Hand changes his fear into a sense of security and readiness for the new adventure.
Principal Figures
Chester Raccoon
The Protagonist
Chester transitions from fearful and reluctant to brave and comforted, empowered by his mother's loving gesture.
Mrs. Raccoon
The Supporting
She consistently provides comfort and wisdom, her steadfast love enabling Chester's growth.
Themes & Insights
Separation Anxiety and Reassurance
The main theme is Chester Raccoon's anxiety about leaving his mother and home to start school. His fears are familiar to many children facing new changes. Mrs. Raccoon's introduction of the Kissing Hand directly addresses this anxiety, giving Chester a symbolic and emotional anchor. The story shows that parental love can exist across physical separation, offering comfort and security even when apart. This is important for a child's emotional well-being during such transitions.
“"Sometimes we all have to do things we don't want to do, but we can still feel good about them if we remember how much we are loved."”
Unconditional Love and Connection
The Kissing Hand is a strong symbol of the connection between a parent and child. Mrs. Raccoon's gesture assures Chester that her love is always with him, no matter the physical distance. This theme highlights the lasting nature of family love and its ability to provide comfort and strength. Chester's act of giving his mother a Kissing Hand further reinforces this mutual, unconditional connection, showing that love provides comfort to both people.
“"Then she took Chester's tiny hand and spread his fingers wide. In the center of his palm, she placed a soft kiss."”
Courage and Independence
While initially afraid, Chester Raccoon eventually finds the courage to face his new challenge. The Kissing Hand does not remove his fears entirely but gives him the power to confront them, helping him feel more independent. The story subtly teaches children that it is okay to be scared, but with the support and love of those around them, they can overcome anxieties and try new things. Chester's journey to school, with his mother's love, represents a step towards self-reliance.
“"Now you have a Kissing Hand too, and you can take it to school with you and press it to your cheek whenever you miss me."”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Kissing Hand
A symbolic gesture representing enduring love and comfort.
The 'Kissing Hand' is the central plot device and a powerful symbol in the story. It is a physical act of a mother kissing her child's palm, which then 'stores' the kiss, allowing the child to feel their mother's love by pressing their hand to their cheek. This device serves to concretize an abstract emotion (love) and make it portable and accessible to Chester during moments of separation. It transforms an intangible feeling into a tangible source of reassurance, directly addressing Chester's separation anxiety and providing him with a coping mechanism.
Anthropomorphism
Attributing human characteristics to animal characters.
The story employs anthropomorphism by depicting raccoons with human-like emotions, behaviors, and social structures, such as attending 'forest school' and experiencing anxiety about new situations. Chester Raccoon and Mrs. Raccoon talk, express complex feelings, and engage in deeply human rituals like comforting a child before school. This device makes the story relatable to young human readers, allowing them to easily identify with Chester's fears and Mrs. Raccoon's loving response, despite the characters being animals.
Repetition
The recurring imagery and action of the Kissing Hand.
The story uses repetition, particularly in the description and action of the Kissing Hand. The act of spreading fingers, kissing the palm, and pressing it to the cheek is repeated, first by Mrs. Raccoon to Chester, and then by Chester to his mother. This repetition reinforces the significance and mechanics of the Kissing Hand, making it memorable and understandable for young readers. It also underscores the mutual nature of love and reassurance, showing that the comfort can be given and received by both parent and child.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“I want to stay home with you. I want to play with my friends. I want to play with my toys. I want to read my books.”
— Chester expressing his reluctance to go to school.
“The Kissing Hand will make you feel warm and cozy all day long.”
— Mrs. Raccoon explaining the magic of the kissing hand.
“Chester felt his mother's kiss rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart.”
— Chester experiencing the kissing hand's effect.
“Whenever you feel lonely and need a little loving from home, just press your hand to your cheek and think, 'Mommy loves you.'”
— Mrs. Raccoon instructing Chester on how to use the kissing hand.
“I'll always love you, no matter where you go or what you do.”
— Mrs. Raccoon reassuring Chester of her unconditional love.
“School is full of wonderful things to learn and new friends to meet.”
— Mrs. Raccoon encouraging Chester about school.
“Chester took his mother's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.”
— Chester reciprocating love before leaving for school.
“He knew his mother's love would go with him wherever he went.”
— Chester feeling confident after receiving the kissing hand.
“The night was full of sounds, but Chester wasn't afraid.”
— Chester feeling brave after the kissing hand ritual.
“A little something to remember me by.”
— Mrs. Raccoon describing the kissing hand as a token of love.
“Chester smiled as he thought about his mother's kiss in his hand.”
— Chester finding comfort during his school day.
“It's a secret that will make you feel better whenever you're sad or lonely.”
— Mrs. Raccoon explaining the private nature of the kissing hand.
“Love is the strongest magic of all.”
— Implied theme throughout the book about the kissing hand's power.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The story follows Chester Raccoon, who is anxious about starting school in the forest. His mother, Mrs. Raccoon, shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand—she kisses his palm so he can feel her love whenever he's scared. This simple ritual helps Chester face his fears and go to school.
