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Quick answer: If you loved The Kissing Hand, try A Pocket Full of Kisses, The Invisible String, Llama Llama Misses Mama, Owl Babies, Wemberly Worried and First Day Jitters. Each one is a comforting picture book for children starting school, missing a parent or facing big changes.
Audrey Penn's 1993 picture book follows Chester Raccoon, who is nervous about starting school and doesn't want to leave his mother. She shares a family secret: she kisses the palm of his hand, and whenever he feels lonely, he can press his hand to his cheek and feel her love. Chester then gives his mother a kissing hand too. Readers love its comfort. These books share its reassurance for separation and new beginnings.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Age | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Pocket Full of Kisses | Audrey Penn | 3-6 | readers who want more Chester |
| The Invisible String | Patrice Karst | 3-8 | readers who need comfort apart |
| Llama Llama Misses Mama | Anna Dewdney | 2-5 | readers starting school |
| Owl Babies | Martin Waddell | 2-5 | readers who miss parents |
| Wemberly Worried | Kevin Henkes | 3-7 | readers who worry |
| First Day Jitters | Julie Danneberg | 4-8 | readers who are nervous |
| Chrysanthemum | Kevin Henkes | 3-8 | readers starting school |
| The Night Before Kindergarten | Natasha Wing | 4-6 | readers starting kindergarten |
| Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You | Nancy Tillman | 2-6 | readers who need reassurance |
| Guess How Much I Love You | Sam McBratney | 2-6 | readers who like love |
| Bye-Bye Time | Elizabeth Verdick | 1-4 | toddlers |
| The Pigeon Has to Go to School! | Mo Willems | 3-6 | readers who like funny worries |
| Our Class Is a Family | Shannon Olsen | 4-8 | readers who like belonging |
| All Are Welcome | Alexandra Penfold | 4-7 | readers who like inclusion |
| The Rabbit Listened | Cori Doerrfeld | 3-7 | readers with big feelings |
1. A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn
Chester worries about his new baby brother.
Best for: readers who want more Chester.
2. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
An invisible string connects loved ones.
Best for: readers who need comfort apart.
3. Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
A llama misses his mama at school.
Best for: readers starting school.
4. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
Owlets wait for their mother.
Best for: readers who miss parents.
5. Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
A mouse worries about school.
Best for: readers who worry.
6. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
A surprise about who's nervous.
Best for: readers who are nervous.
7. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
A mouse is teased about her name.
Best for: readers starting school.
8. The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
Kids prepare for their first day.
Best for: readers starting kindergarten.
9. Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman
A parent's love follows a child.
Best for: readers who need reassurance.
10. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Two hares compare their love.
Best for: readers who like love.
11. Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick
A gentle guide to saying goodbye at drop-off.
Best for: toddlers.
12. The Pigeon Has to Go to School! by Mo Willems
The Pigeon doesn't want to go to school.
Best for: readers who like funny worries.
13. Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen
A class becomes a family.
Best for: readers who like belonging.
14. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
A school welcomes everyone.
Best for: readers who like inclusion.
15. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
A rabbit listens.
Best for: readers with big feelings.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with The Kissing Hand: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
If you are not sure where to begin, start with the first three picks in the table: they are the closest match to The Kissing Hand. The rest of the list moves further out, so it works well once you know which part of the original you liked most. If a pick is part of a longer series, read the first book before you commit, and check the age or content notes in the table before passing a book to a younger reader.
How to Choose
For more Chester, read A Pocket Full of Kisses. If your child misses you, The Invisible String and Owl Babies are comforting. For first-day nerves, Llama Llama Misses Mama, Wemberly Worried and The Pigeon Has to Go to School! are favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Kissing Hand about?
A raccoon's mother gives him a kiss on his hand to comfort him at school.
What age is it for?
It suits children about 3 to 6.
Is it good for the first day of school?
Yes. Many teachers read it on the first day.
Are there more Chester books?
Yes, several, including A Pocket Full of Kisses.
What is the kissing hand activity?
Children trace their hand and add a heart or kiss to keep.
When was it published?
In 1993.
What should my child read next?
The Invisible String.
Who is Chester?
A young raccoon nervous about his first day of school.