The Kissing Hand on the New York Times List of Best-selling Children's Picture Books

Child Welfare League of America
Thursday, 21 September 2000

September 21, 2000, Washington, DC--Child & Family Press is delighted to announce that The Kissing Hand, written by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak, has claimed the number five spot on the New York Times list of best-selling children's picture books and number seven in the same category at Publishers Weekly.

The heartwarming book tells the story of Chester, a little raccoon who is afraid to go to school. His mother shares an old family secret that will help him face school and any situation when he feels alone or afraid. She kisses Chester on his paw so that he can carry her love with him wherever he is. Chester then surprises her with reassurances of his own.

The Kissing Hand offers comfort to both children and parents during times of separation, and author Audrey Penn hopes that its appearance on the best-seller lists will "help get the book out to more children."

Susan Brite, Publisher, stated that this was the first children's book published by the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), an association that is primarily a publisher of books for social service professionals. After her initial reading of the manuscript, Ms. Brite said that she "had to find a way to share this special story with the public." The book was responsible for the launch of Child & Family Press, the children's book imprint of CWLA, which has gone on to publish several other children's picture books, including two more by Audrey Penn, Sassafras, and Feathers and Fur.

The Child Welfare League of America, the nation's oldest and largest membership-based child welfare organization, is committed to engaging all Americans in promoting the well-being of children and protecting every child from harm.

For more information, or to contact Child Welfare League of America, see their website at: www.cwla.org