A Kiss Goodbye

by: Audrey Penn; Illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson

Published by: Tanglewood Press

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

A Kiss Goodbye is the third Chester Raccoon children’s book by Audrey Penn. The earlier titles are The Kissing Hand and A Pocket Full of Kisses.

All of the trees in the forest near Chester’s home are to be cut down. Chester’s mother must find a new home for her family. Chester doesn’t want to move and is sad and fearful of the change he faces.

Chester’s family does move and Chester soon learns that the new tree he lives in isn’t so bad after all. And more importantly, Chester meets a new friend.

A Kiss Goodbye is a wonderful book to help children talk about and deal with a move. They might even choose to think about the change as an adventure.

The illustrations in A Kiss Goodbye are beautifully done. They are detailed, realistic and are a bit whimsical in places. My granddaughter enjoyed the story but her complaint was that the pages were so dark. The illustrations are done primarily in black, gray and dark green with an occasional splash of red.

A wonderful and helpful story. Chester is delightful

Armchair Interviews says: The book could have benefited from more color to draw in young children.

Author’s Web site: http://www.audreypennchildrensbooks.com