Review of A Bedtime Kiss for Chester Raccoon

The sun has risen, which means it is time for Chester Raccoon to go to bed. But he is afraid to go to sleep, because that ray of sunshine looks like lots of scary things! Clouds and shadows amplify his fears. Mrs. Raccoon reassures him that there is nothing to fear from those rays of sunshine. She gives him a Kissing Hand to aid his sweet dreams and he is able to finally fall asleep.


This book, which is a part of the beloved Chester Raccoon series by Audrey Penn, is a cute way of letting young children know there is nothing to fear at bedtime. It's amusing how the rays of sun and shadows are just as scary to a raccoon as those moonlight beams and shadows are for kids. When reading this story, kids will exclaim, "Hey, the sun isn't scary!" As a response, adults can note how Chester wouldn't find that moonlight and starlight scary. It's the same thing.

This book is quite short and written in rhyme, which makes it perfect for the younger toddler and preschool readers. Older children who are looking for more lengthy adventures like in Chester's previous books may be a little disappointed with its simplicity. But this allows for younger readers to be introduced to Chester Raccoon and to have their own story to which they can relate. Illustrations are less vibrant than in previous stories, but are more appropriate with the simpler text.

A Bedtime Kiss for Chester Raccoon is a great book to read to a child before going to bed or before a nap. Include a Kissing Hand and you have your own nighty-night ritual in place with your little one.

I recieved a complimentary set of galleys from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my review of this book.