FIVE GOLDEN GOODNIGHT KISSES

Long Distance Goodnight Kisses: Ann M. Hughes

The one thing that I miss everyday is the kisses and hugs that my mom gave me before going to bed every night. At times she was busy with work, her friends and other commitments and my grandmother took over the nightly events. But, nothing is as important to a young child as having her mother there at bedtime, when they go to school or are not feeling up to par. Katie is quite unique as she explains to younger readers and even older ones that just because her mom is working, goes on business trips and is sometimes not physically there to tuck her in, does not mean that she is not thinking of you or not there with you in a different way.

Katie knows that her mom adores her and she comes first in her life. But, she also knows that her mom is very important and others depend on her too. Business meetings in faraway places take her to many different parts of the world leaving Katie with her grandmother for long periods of time. But, in her heart she knows that her mom loves her. As Katie tells us the story in her own words, making it more meaningful to young readers, we learn why Katie feels that her mom is different and that she was not always there to prepare her breakfast or pick her up from school. Katie’s mom knows how important goodnight kisses are and she made sure she gave them to Katie but in a different and special way. Just because she was far away does not mean that she good not send her goodnight long distance kisses over the phone. Just look at the picture of Katie holding a special phone to her ear and getting those special kisses first hand.

Katie’s mom went to many exciting places and no matter where she went she knows that her mom loves her and would find a way to send those kisses every night. But, imagine her excitement as you can tell on Katie’s face when she joins her mother on several business trips and realizes just how special and important her mother is to so many other people not just her. Getting to go to New York City, San Francisco and then Mexico helped her bond even further with her mother and to understand why her mother had to be away for long periods of time.

Every child wants their mother to themselves when they get out of school to share their day or when they play soccer or feel under the weather. But, Katie was a rare child who never showed any signs of anger, jealousy or unhappiness. She knows and still knows in her heart that her mother adores her and even though she was sending those great long distance goodnight kisses eventually she would deliver them in person. Did Katie learn to understand why her mother traveled so often? Did she realize that she touched the lives of so many? Read this amazingly illustrated story, get to know Katie first hand and realize that some children are so special and realize that love comes in different ways even from a long distance. So, what did she learn that she carries with her today? Find out when you read this story. With a grandmother who was always there and understanding and a young girl who is in college now and all grown up some lessons are carried through and Katie knows her mom and a special angel from above love her.

This is a great book for all children to read whose parents are away for long periods of time to understand that they are doing a special job to make money for their family and that they care so much about them even from far away. Author Ann. M. Hughes presents a story that working mothers whether on long business trips or those that work late and come home after their children are in bed can learn that taking five minutes to say a special goodnight will reassure a child that their parent is always there. Being successful is not at the exclusion of spending time with a child as the author relates. No one should have to choose between a child and a career but find a balance as Ann did.

Fran Lewis: Just Reviews