If there's one thing we know, it's that there are two kinds of picture books that are most often divisive: the message-y books and the sweet and fuzzies. Combine the two and you get The Kissing Hand. There is NO doubt that the book is loved deeply by Kindergarten teachers, but would you call it a picture book classic worthy of keeping on shelves for decades to come? Betsy really didn't know how Kate would react to this one when I handed it to her. Would she be charmed? Be appalled? And, as ever, Kate surprises Betsy. She's good at that.

Show Notes:

- Honestly, if you know why there used to be two illustrators associated with this book and then, later, only illustrator Ruth E. Harper was mentioned on the book's website, please let us in on the story.

- Yep. On the Top 100 Picture Books Poll it came in at #95: http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/16/top-100-picture-books-95-the-kissing-hand-by-audrey-penn/

- Here's the link to Letters to Chester, which is entirely free and online for you: http://www.tanglewoodbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Letters-to-Chester_Layout_LowEmail3c.indd_.pdf

- Want to cook up some Kissing Hand cookies of your own? This one with Hershey's Kisses makes a lot of sense: http://www.momto2poshlildivas.com/2011/08/kissing-hand-keepsake-craft-math.html

And finally, here is the book trailer for Fabulous Monsters by Alberto Manguel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXg1bPoqHDU

For the full Show Notes, please visit http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2019/11/04/fuse-8-n'-kate:-the-kissing-hand-by-audrey-penn,-ruth-e-harper-&-nancy-m-leak/