Audrey Penn author page

Audrey Penn biography

Audrey Penn is an American children’s author and former dancer. Before writing for children, she worked as a ballerina with the National Ballet, New York City Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and the Danny Diamond Dance Theatre.

Penn’s first children’s book was Happy Apple Told Me, published in 1975. Her other early books include Blue Out of Season, published in 1984, and No Bones About Driftiss, published in 1989.

Her picture book The Kissing Hand, illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak, was first published in 1993. The story follows Chester Raccoon, who does not want to leave his mother and go to school, until Mrs. Raccoon gives him a kiss in his palm to carry with him.

Penn continued Chester Raccoon’s story in several related books. The series includes A Pocket Full of Kisses, A Kiss Goodbye, Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully, Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories, A Bedtime Kiss for Chester Raccoon and Chester the Brave.

Penn also wrote the Blackbeard books for middle-grade readers, including Mystery at Blackbeard’s Cove, Blackbeard and the Sandstone Pillar: When Lightning Strikes and Blackbeard and the Gift of Silence.

The Kissing Hand received the Educational Press Association of America’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Educational Journalism.