I also read "The Kissing Hand", but I go about it in another way. Instead of relating it their families loving them, I turn it around to get them excited about coming back to school.
After I'm finished reading it, I put a red heart sticker on each of their palms and tell them that when they go home and hold their hand to their cheek, they can think of how I miss them and can't wait to see them in school the next day.
I use it more as a means to take away some initial apprehension and for them to look forward to coming back.
Less tears that way!
