Chester

Chester the Raccoon is afraid of leaving his mom and going to school.  She teaches him to touch his cheek with the palm of his hand after she kisses him there.  That way, her kiss will stay with him all day long and every time he misses her he can feel her kiss.  On the last page,  it shows the sign language for "I love you" with your hand.  I teach my students this sign, and every time we leave each other, we can communicate this without talking.  I still have fourth grade students who show me the sign when I see them in the hallways.