The Kissing Hand

Title:  The Kissing Hand (Online) 

Author/Illustrator: Audrey Penn and  Ruth E. Harper/Nancy M. Leak 

APA Citation: Penn, A., & Harper, R. E. (1993). The Kissing hand. Washington, D.C.: Child Welfare League of America. 

Lexile Score:  520L(ages 4-8) 

Target Audience: I felt as though this book would be good for a variety of ages.  It has a beautiful message of courage and dealing with separation. 

Summary:  In this story, a young raccoon was worried about leaving home to start school.  His mother eased his anxiety by revealing the power of the kissing hand.  With a perfectly placed kiss on his hand, the little raccoon would always know that his mother loved him and would always be with him no matter how far apart they might be. 

Evaluation: 

	4	3	2	1
Theme/Moral	The theme/moral of the story was worthwhile and provided a non-biased message for the reader.	Theme of the story was worthwhile but portrayed a somewhat biased message for the reader.	Theme of the story was somewhat worthwhile, but portrayed a biased message for the reader.	Theme/moral of the story was not worthwhile and portrayed a biased message for the reader.
Characterization	Characters in the story were relatable and did not portray typical stereotypes.	Characters in the story were relatable but some characteristics portrayed typical stereotypes.	Characters in the story were somewhat relatable, however portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.	Characters in the story were relatable and portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.
Illustrations	Illustrations in the story were relatable and did not portray typical stereotypes.	Illustrations in the story were relatable but some characteristics portrayed typical stereotypes.	Illustrations in the story were somewhat relatable, however portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.	Illustrations in the story were not relatable and portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.
Multicultural Aspects	Story provided accurate representations of  several cultures.	Story provided accurate representations of more than one culture.	Story provided accurate representation of only one culture.	Story did not provide accurate representations of  the culture discussed.
Historical Value	The story's historical references were accurate and did not convey a biased opinion of the event depicted.	The story's historical references were accurate, did convey some biased opinion of the event depicted.	The story's historical references were somewhat accurate, and did convey a biased opinion of the event depicted.	The story's historical references were not accurate, and conveyed a biased opinion of the event depicted.
Self and Social Identities	This book positively counteracts stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.	This book attempts to counteracts stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.	This book does not reinforce stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.	This book reinforces stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.
Language	This book did not contain any "loaded" words, and used alternatives to generic terms.	This book did not contain any "loaded" words, but did use some generic terms.	This book did not contain "loaded" words, however, consistently used generic terms.	This book did contain "loaded words, and consistently used generic terms.
Overall Rating	I would use this book in my future classroom and recommend it to other teachers.	I would try to use this book in my future classroom and might recommend it to other teachers.	If the occasion arose, I might read this book, but probably would not recommend it.	I would not use or recommend this book.

Overall Score: 27/32 

Literary Elements: Personification 

Social Justice Elements:  Overcoming obstacles, strong family bond, courage to stand on your own 

Sample Lesson:  If I were to do a lesson with this book, I might have the students recall something special they share with their parents or any family member.  It could be anything from a special handshake to certain look.  I would have them write a letter to that family member to tell them how their special interaction makes the student feel.