Author: Audrey Penn
Illustrators: Ruth Harper and Nancy Leak
Genre: Fiction
Ages: Grades K-1
Themes: School, Family, Love
Summary: This is a story about a little raccoon ready to start school. He talks about his fears to his mother, fears that most children have before beginning school. His mother comes up with a wonderful idea to help him remember that she loves him and is thinking about him, even when she isn't with him.
Pre-Reading Activity: Discuss the children's fears and hopes about coming to school. We also discuss how moms and dads might feel when their children are away from them.
Post-Reading Activity: On a large piece of construction paper each child makes a red handprint with paint and then clue a small red heart in the middle. They can draw their family portrait if time allows and then give this as a first day gift to their parents.
Reflection: This is a great book to share with students on the first day of school. Many students are shy or even a little afraid of leaving their parents to come to school. This would also be a good book to use with students who are completely comfortable coming to school to allow them to understand and have compassion for how some of their classmates may be feeling.
About the Author
Audrey Penn
Before beginning writing Audrey Penn was actually a ballerina and choreographer. She has always enjoyed children's literature and decided to begin writing as a creative outlet. As a young girl she would keep silly journals of things that happened to her and eventually she was writing everything that she did. Her youngest daughter inspired her to write The Kissing Hand.
(www.audreypenn.com)
This is one of my favorites! I read this to children and families when they came in for visiting day before school started and gave them a heart to bring home with them and bring on the first day of school to think of mom at school if they needed it!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great idea! I'll keep that in mind!
ReplyDelete