Kissing Hand

Kissing Hand
by
Audrey Penn, Ruth E. Harper, and Nancy M. Leak
children's fiction
ages 4-6

Published in 1993, this book has become a phenomenon. Teachers, social workers, parents, librarians, and more ask for this book. Warning: If you think you want to read this in September, you had better buy your own copy. Each year it is always checked out of the library in August and September. A number of craft and storytime activities have been developed using this book.
A little raccoon is afraid of starting school. His mother reassures him that although they will not be together physically, he will always be in her heart and she will always be in his as he goes off and has new experiences.
To give him a sense of security, she kisses his palm then tells him that any time he is lonely for home he can hold his hand to his cheek and think of her kissing him on the cheek.
This is a sweet book published by the Child Welfare League of America who recommends it for children starting school, being placed in foster care, going away to camp, etc.
Lovely illustrations show woodland creatures at a nocturnal school.
There are some sequels to this book, but the original is the one that library patrons clamor for.

Whistling

Whistling
by
Elizabeth Partridge and Anna Grossnickle Hines
children's fiction, ages 3-8

A boy and his father are camping. As they wait for the sun to come up, the anticipation grows. What kind of a sunrise will it be? We find out that there must be a tradition in this family to watch the sun go up and whistle.
This book focuses on that one event and is illustrated in a series of quilt squares. In the back of the book the illustrator shows how she did these squares.
Learning to whistle is a rite of passage like learning to skip or snap fingers. If someone you know has recently learned how to whistle, then this book is for you.
This was on a list of books recommended by the local park system. I would recommend taking this book camping with you, but last time I tried this with a book the book got very wet from the dew on the tent and I had to pay the library for the book. (Next time I will leave my book in the car where it will stay drier). Instead I recommend reading this book before camping and trying to do what these gentlemen did - whistle up the sun.