The Kissing Hand Summary by Audrey Penn

Name: The Kissing Hand
ISBN: 9781933718002

Synopsis

Covers the whole plot, including the ending.

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.

Difficulty: Easy
Pacing: Slow
Mood: Heartwarming, Reassuring, Gentle
Read it if: Your child is starting school, daycare, or experiencing any separation anxiety, and you want a gentle, heartwarming story to ease their fears.
Skip it if: You are looking for a complex plot or a book for older children/adults.

The Kissing Hand Plot Summary

Covers the whole plot, including the ending.

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

Protagonist

A young raccoon grappling with separation anxiety before starting school.

Chester Raccoon is a young, sensitive, and somewhat timid raccoon who is about to embark on his first experience with school. He expresses typical childhood fears about leaving the comfort of home and his mother, preferring to stay in his familiar environment. His initial reluctance highlights the common anxieties children face when encountering new situations and separations. He is receptive to his mother's comfort and eventually finds the courage to embrace the new challenge, demonstrating growth and trust in his mother's love.

Relationships: Mrs. Raccoon (Son, receiving comfort and love)

Mrs. Raccoon

Supporting

Chester's understanding and comforting mother, who shares a special family tradition.

Mrs. Raccoon is a wise, patient, and loving mother who understands her son Chester's anxieties about starting school. She doesn't dismiss his fears but instead offers a tangible and symbolic solution in the form of the 'Kissing Hand.' Her actions demonstrate empathy and a deep desire to equip her child with emotional tools to navigate separation. She is the source of comfort and security for Chester, embodying unconditional maternal love and support.

Relationships: Chester Raccoon (Mother, providing comfort and reassurance)

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.”
Narrator (paraphrased from the essence of Mrs. Raccoon's message)

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.”
Narrator

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.”
Mrs. Raccoon

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.

The Kissing Hand Quotes

“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.

“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.

Quiz

10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.

Question 1
Why is Chester Raccoon feeling anxious at the beginning of the book?
1. He is afraid of the dark in the forest
2. He does not want to go to school
3. He lost his favorite toy
4. He is hungry and wants to stay home to eat
Show answer
B. He does not want to go to school Chester is nervous because school is starting in the forest, and he prefers to stay home with his mother rather than face this new experience.
Question 2
What is the 'Kissing Hand' that Mrs. Raccoon shares with Chester?
1. A special handshake they do every morning
2. A kiss placed in the palm of Chester's hand that he can feel whenever he needs reassurance
3. A magic spell that makes Chester invisible at school
4. A drawing of a heart on Chester's hand with marker
Show answer
B. A kiss placed in the palm of Chester's hand that he can feel whenever he needs reassurance The Kissing Hand is a family secret where Mrs. Raccoon kisses Chester's palm, so he can press it to his cheek anytime to feel her love and comfort.
Question 3
How does Chester use the Kissing Hand to comfort himself at school?
1. He shows it to his teacher to explain why he is sad
2. He presses his hand to his cheek to feel his mother's kiss
3. He draws a picture of it in his notebook
4. He tells his friends about it so they can do it too
Show answer
B. He presses his hand to his cheek to feel his mother's kiss Whenever Chester feels scared or misses his mother, he presses his hand (with the kiss) to his cheek, reminding him of her love and easing his fears.
Question 4
What does Mrs. Raccoon do after giving Chester the Kissing Hand to show she will also miss him?
1. She gives him a hug and tells him to be brave
2. She asks Chester to give her a Kissing Hand in return
3. She follows him to school secretly
4. She writes him a note to put in his backpack
Show answer
B. She asks Chester to give her a Kissing Hand in return Mrs. Raccoon asks Chester to give her a Kissing Hand too, so she can feel his love while he is away, reinforcing their mutual bond and comfort.
Question 5
In what year was 'The Kissing Hand' first published, as mentioned in the book description?
1. 1985
2. 1993
3. 2000
4. 1990
Show answer
B. 1993 The book was first published in 1993 and has since become a classic used by parents and teachers to help children cope with separation.
Question 6
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a common use for 'The Kissing Hand' in the book description?
1. Starting school
2. Entering daycare
3. Going to camp
4. Moving to a new house
Show answer
D. Moving to a new house The book is specifically noted for helping with separation during school, daycare, and camp, but moving to a new house is not listed as a primary context in the description.
Question 7
What item is included at the back of the book to help keep the Kissing Hand alive, according to the description?
1. Stickers
2. A bookmark
3. A CD with songs
4. Coloring pages
Show answer
A. Stickers Stickers are provided at the back of the book, allowing children and parents to use them as a tangible reminder of the Kissing Hand concept.
Question 8
What broader theme does 'The Kissing Hand' primarily explore through Chester's experience?
1. The importance of making new friends at school
2. Overcoming fear of separation with love and reassurance
3. Learning academic skills in a forest setting
4. The adventures of animal characters in fantasy worlds
Show answer
B. Overcoming fear of separation with love and reassurance The central theme is coping with separation anxiety, such as starting school, by using the Kissing Hand as a symbol of enduring love and comfort from a parent.
Question 9
How does the setting of the story (a forest) contribute to its appeal as a children's book?
1. It makes the story more realistic for urban children
2. It adds a magical element that distracts from the emotional message
3. It uses animal characters in a natural environment to make the theme of separation relatable and gentle
4. It emphasizes the dangers of the wild to heighten Chester's fears
Show answer
C. It uses animal characters in a natural environment to make the theme of separation relatable and gentle The forest setting with animal characters like raccoons creates a soft, engaging backdrop that helps young readers relate to Chester's feelings without being too intimidating, enhancing the book's comforting message.
Question 10
Based on the book's impact, why is it particularly favored by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school?
1. It teaches children about forest animals and their habitats
2. It provides a fun activity with the stickers included
3. It offers a practical and emotional strategy to ease separation anxiety in young students
4. It includes a song that teachers can sing to calm the class
Show answer
C. It offers a practical and emotional strategy to ease separation anxiety in young students The book gives teachers a tool to address common first-day jitters by introducing the Kissing Hand concept, which children can use to feel connected to their parents, making the transition to school smoother.

The Kissing Hand FAQ

What is 'The Kissing Hand' about?

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.

Why should I read 'The Kissing Hand'?

This book is a timeless tool for easing separation anxiety in young children, especially during transitions like starting school or daycare. Its gentle message about carrying love with you has resonated with millions of families since 1993, making it a practical and emotional resource for parents and teachers.

What is the background/setting of 'The Kissing Hand'?

The story is set in a forest where animal families live, with school starting as a central event. This natural, relatable setting mirrors real-life childhood experiences, using anthropomorphic raccoons to symbolize universal family bonds and the challenges of growing up.

What are the most memorable quotes?

Key quotes include Mrs. Raccoon's reassurance: 'Sometimes we all have to do things we don't want to do,' and her explanation of the Kissing Hand: 'Whenever you feel lonely and need a little loving from home, just press your hand to your cheek.' These lines encapsulate the book's comforting theme.

What writing style does the author use?

Audrey Penn employs simple, rhythmic prose with repetitive phrases like 'the Kissing Hand' to reinforce the ritual's importance. The language is warm and accessible, blending narrative with gentle life lessons, making it ideal for read-aloud sessions with young children.

What minor details add significant meaning?

The inclusion of stickers at the back of the book allows children and parents to create physical reminders of the Kissing Hand, extending the story's comfort into daily life. This interactive element reinforces the ritual's practicality beyond the narrative.

What are some subtle foreshadowing moments?

Early in the story, Mrs. Raccoon's calm demeanor and mention of 'a little secret' hint at the upcoming Kissing Hand ritual. Chester's initial resistance subtly sets up the emotional payoff when he finally accepts and uses the Kissing Hand at school.

What unexpected character connections exist?

While focused on Chester and Mrs. Raccoon, the story implicitly connects to all forest animals starting school, suggesting a shared experience of separation anxiety. This broadens the message to include any child or parent facing similar transitions.

What are unspoken character motivations?

Mrs. Raccoon is motivated by a desire to empower Chester rather than just comfort him—she teaches him a tool for self-reliance. Chester's fear stems not just from school itself, but from losing the security of home, which the Kissing Hand addresses symbolically.

What psychological complexities do characters exhibit?

Chester displays a mix of dependency and budding independence, clinging to home while secretly wanting to explore. Mrs. Raccoon balances empathy with encouragement, showing how parents can support growth without stifling it, a nuanced approach to childhood anxiety.

What are the major emotional turning points?

Key moments include Chester's tearful refusal to go to school, Mrs. Raccoon introducing the Kissing Hand, and Chester's realization at school that he can press his hand to his cheek for comfort. The climax is his return home, confident and happy, showing emotional growth.

How do relationship dynamics evolve?

Initially, Chester relies entirely on his mother for reassurance. Through the Kissing Hand, their relationship shifts to one of trust and shared strength—Chester learns to internalize her love, fostering independence while maintaining their bond, a subtle evolution from dependence to mutual support.

Which parts remain ambiguous or open-ended?

The book doesn't specify what happens at school after Chester uses the Kissing Hand, leaving his exact experiences to the reader's imagination. This ambiguity allows children to project their own school fears and triumphs onto the story, personalizing its message.

What are controversial scenes or decisions?

Some critics debate whether the Kissing Hand ritual might enable dependency rather than independence, arguing it could reinforce anxiety instead of overcoming it. However, most readers see it as a healthy transitional tool that builds emotional resilience.

'The Kissing Hand' ending explained: how it ends & what it means

The story ends with Chester returning home from school, happy and confident, and sharing a Kissing Hand with his mother in return. This signifies his successful adaptation to separation and the reciprocal nature of love—showing that comfort rituals can empower both child and parent.

About the author

Audrey Penn

Audrey Penn is the beloved author of the "The Kissing Hand" series, a collection of heartwarming children's books that explore themes of love, reassurance, and separation anxiety. Her gentle storytelling and relatable characters have resonated with families worldwide, making her a cherished voice in children's literature.

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