Chester Racoon and his mother-and the ways love works to reassure us and give us strength in a sometimes scary world-are the focus of this beautifully written and illustrated children's book. The Kissing Hand makes a wonderful gift for a child entering school or going to camp for the first time, or for any occasion where a child will be temporarily separated from home and loved ones. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

In her foreword to Penn's sugary tale about Chester, a young raccoon who would rather stay at home than go to school, Jean Kennedy Smith notes that the story is ``for any child who confronts a difficult situation, and for the child within each of us who sometimes needs reassurance.'' Its obvious message is delivered by Mrs. Raccoon, who tells her son that ``I know a wonderful secret that will make your nights at school seem as warm and cozy as your days at home.'' She then kisses his palm, and Chester feels the kiss ``rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart.'' Whenever he gets lonely, she advises, he is to press his hand to his cheek and ``that very kiss will jump to your face and fill you with toasty warm thoughts.'' As it may for youngsters in comparable situations, this ``secret'' works for Chester, who in turn kisses his mother's palm so that she, too, will be reassured. Sprinkled with hearts and flowers, Harper and Leak's paintings of the raccoons and their woodland habitat are pleasant if sentimental. Ages 3-8. Copyright 1994 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

PreS-K-When Chester Raccoon is reluctant to start school, his mother addresses his fears, then kisses his hand so he will have her love with him while they are apart. After this exchange, he gives her a ``Kissing Hand'' as well and scampers off happily to school. This bit of bibliotherapy comes with CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE emblazoned on the cover, a letter from the chairperson of this group, a page of stickers on the flyleaf, and an order form attached to the back cover. Now, all this marketing wouldn't be so bad if the book were better. Unfortunately, the didactic story is reminiscent of some of the sweet and soppy selections from the '50s, and the artwork is just a cut above greeting-card quality. There are so many better ``starting school'' offerings that this one is not even in the running.-JoAnn Rees, Sunnyvale Public Library, CACopyright 1994 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information