Customer Reviews

A Pocket Full of Kisses

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A very sweet story to help the often traumatic adjustment of a new baby or new family member into a household. Mother Raccoon explains that she has more than enough love to go around and that a mother's love is like the sun, even when we don't see it, it will never run out of light and its rays will never stop reaching out to them. His mother then reminds Chester of his new and special role as a big brother. Wonderful read!

Chester Raccoon has a problem. His younger brother Ronny plays on Chester's swings, talks to Chester's friends, and follows Chester wherever Chester goes. When Chester complains about all this, his mother explains with gentle understanding that Ronny is only doing what little brother do and gives Chester a reassuring kiss in the middle of his palm to assure him of his mother's love. The Chester sees Ronny also gets their mother a kiss on the hand. Chester is simply overwhelmed at the unfairness of it all and tears roll down his cheek. Mother Raccoon allays Chester's fears with her own special kind of wisdom and finds just the right way to let Chester know how deeply he is loved. Charmingly written by Audrey Penn and superbly illustrated by Barbara Leonard Gibson, A Pocket Full Of Kisses is a wonderful picturebook that deftly explores the feelings of young children when their families expand with siblings and they feel unsure of their new and changing rolls. Enthusiastically recommended!

As a book reviewer for Funseeker's Radio Network I come across a lot of delightful children's book, but this one has to be in the top ten. A mother raccoon has two cubs, with Chester being the older. His mother gives him a kiss in his hand, a "kissing hand" and he is delighted, until he sees her give one to his baby brother. His mother lets him know that he is loved just as much as his brother and that she has enough love for both of them. The illustrations by Barbara Leonard Gibson are some of the best I have seen and remind me of Harry, my own pet raccoon I had when I was younger. This book needs to be bought in pairs, one for the adult buying it and one or more for the children who will love the story and the message it gives.

When I first picked up this book, I was skeptical. Like most parents, I figured my 2 1/2 year old would tire of this book easily. But as I read it, the feelings of love that I have for my own two sons came to mind. I use it to teach a lesson about Love. As a mother, I never run out of kisses, hugs, affection--Love--for my two sons (or anyone else in our lives), but rather there is enough for all. I think that's a great lesson for kids to learn: that sharing is not competitive and there is room for all. I adore this book and my littlest one insists that I kiss his hand every night before he cuddles up with his bear. It's a very beautiful lesson very gracefully presented.

This book is great especially if you have siblings in the household. Very touching story.

Chester is a new big brother. At first Chester loved being a big brother, until his new baby brother started to play with his toys and getting all the attention. To remind him of her love, Mrs. Raccoon gives Chester a Kissing Hand. Chester is full of love until he sees his baby brother getting a Kissing Hand. Mrs. Raccoon soothes his sadness with a story about everlasting love!

A Pocket Full of Kisses is a perfect book for children who are going to become a big brother/sister. At first Chester doesn't understand why Mrs. Raccoon has to share her love with his new baby brother, feeling left out. But he soon learns that Mrs. Raccoon's love will never run out. For children who are expecting a new brother/sister this feeling is not uncommon. Audrey Penn wonderfully explores this giving a heart warming solution that children of all ages can understand and believe.

Barbara Leonard Gibson's illustrations are absolutely gorgeous with warm tones and amazing detail. Her raccoons are so lifelike you want to cuddle up with them. A Pocket Full of Kisses is a wonderful book for families who are expecting a new addition and for children who may feel a little left out.

This book is sweet. My sons force me to read it over and over and over...so Im glad it is a heartfelt book!!

This is a wonderful sequel to The Kissing Hand where our little friend Chester's family has been blessed by a new addition. The problem is that Chester isn't so enamored with little Ronny anymore now that he plays with his toys, follows him around and pulls Chester's tail. Mom tries to explain that Ronny just wants to be like him and that is what little brothers do. However mom sees that Chester is in need of some extra TLC and offers him the kissing hand, which makes it all better, until Chester sees Ronny get one as well. Suddenly Chester is concerned that mom will run out of kisses which prompts mom to let him know in a very special way that moms never run out of love for all of their children.

This book was brought into my home soon after the birth of my second child, and has stood the test of time with the addition of two more children. The tender way in which mom reassures Chester rather than just brushing his fears and concerns away is heartwarming. The way that she makes sure that Chester "really" get it that she will never run out of love for both him and his brother is great. Many children get concerned that they may not be loved as much with the new addition to a family and this book goes a long way towards calming those fears as well as teaching that big brother, or sister, is someone to look up to. They are a person that their sibling wants to imitate.

Again the illustrations are beautiful and the pages have just enough words to get the point across to a toddler or preschooler without so many that they get bored with the page. There is a perfect balance between interest in the illustration and the story.

Even if your family only includes one child, this story still has a place in your home as children often experience times when they feel "less loved" and this will help reassure them that mom, and dad, will always love them.

My only minor complaint about this book is the dramatic license taken when mom explains that her love is like the suns rays that touch and light up each star in the sky at night. While this is a minor point, it is inaccurate as that is not why the stars shine. However, many a parent has used such dramatic license to calm a child's fears, the sound of thunder is God bowling, that the moon is made of cheese.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review only.

I have to say that I am now a huge fan of Audrey Penn. I have now read and reviewed 4 of her titles and have simply adored them all. I feel her books are beautifully illustrated, with loveable characters and contain heartwarming messages.

A POCKET PULL OF KISSES
A Pocket Full of Kisses is about Chester getting a new baby brother and having to deal with sharing his Mother's love. I just love the whole "kissing hand" theme and loved that is appears in all of Penn's books (those that I have read at least). I think that the transition is hard for any child when a new sibling enters the family. A Pocket Full of Kisses helps ease Chester into welcoming and accepting his new bother. I just loved this book, as did my 2 boys.

This book is in great quality and was delivered quickly! I would recommend this seller to everyone!