On the 4th of February our Book Club had its first meeting for the year. It was a special book club meeting this time, because our hostess, a dear friend of mine, was expecting her (3rd) baby soon and we secretly managed to arrange for her baby shower at the same time as Book Club! It was rather special!
First of all, the story she read to the kids was “The kissing hand” by Audrey Penn. It is a heart-warming story that applies to any kid that experiences separation anxiety to any level, and how a mother’s love can make it better.
Chester Raccoon wants to stay home, he doesn’t want to go to school. His mother tells him of the wonderful things he’ll be learning, the friends he’ll be making and the new books and toys he’ll get to read and play with. But more importantly, she shares a secret with him that makes his days warm and cosy as his days at home.
She takes her son’s hand, spreads his tiny fingers into a fan and kisses his palm: “Chester felt his mother’s kiss rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart.” Whenever he feels lonely at school, all he has to do is press his hand to his cheek to feel the warmth of his mother’s kiss. Chester then, before leaving for school, in turn gives his mom a Kissing Hand too, and just as it was to comfort him, it comforts her and both feel loved when the other is absent.
A wonderful, touching story!
ISBN: 9781933718071
Here is a reading by Barbara Bain, although its not as gripping as a first hand experience in our Book Club Meetings!
And just to show off some of our members’ talents, following are some pictures of the Baby Shower with a Cat in the Hat theme (since it was a Book-Club-Baby-Shower!):
