Audrey Penn

Audrey Penn is an American children’s author whose books have comforted and encouraged young readers for decades. Her heart-warming and emotionally resonant picture books, that help young children navigate feelings of love, separation, and reassurance. Before she became a writer, Penn trained and performed as a ballet dancer with companies such as the New York City Ballet and even worked as a choreographer for figure skating and gymnastics teams, but in the early 1980s, a diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis led her to focus on writing stories.

Her first book, Happy Apple Told Me, won the Mid-State Library Association Award and was nominated for a Caldecott Medal, and her early titles like Blue Out of Season also received recognition, including a Very Special Arts Award. Penn’s most famous book, The Kissing Hand (1993), became a New York Times #1 bestseller. It tells the story of a young raccoon named Chester who is anxious about starting school. His mother shares a secret tradition, a kiss on his hand that he can carry with him throughout the day, offering comfort and a sense of connection even when they are apart. This book has become a cherished classic to help children handle separation anxiety, especially when starting school and is widely used in schools and homes. It was awarded the Educational Press Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award and has been included on notable lists like the National Education Association’s Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children. The story’s popularity led to a series of sequels, including A Pocket Full of Kisses (also a New York Times bestseller), A Kiss Goodbye, and several Chester Raccoon titles that explore themes like bullying, memory, and emotional resilience.

In addition to her books, Penn runs educational programs such as “Writing Penn,” visiting schools, libraries, and hospitals to inspire children and adults alike, and she continues to write stories that gently address emotional and social challenges. Audrey Penn’s storytelling combines gentle prose with warm, expressive illustrations, often paired with different illustrators to create books that resonate with both children and adults. Her work has had lasting popularity due to its accessibility, emotional honesty, and ability to help children understand and express their feelings in a safe and comforting way.