You Are a Raccoon!
A fun, interactive story that teaches little readers all about the life of a raccoon. Kids will learn about their nocturnal habits, when they first develop stripes, and how they hunt for food. Sweet pictures and engaging text is on level for toddlers and preschoolers.
Kids' Books About Raccoons
Although it's always a good idea to stay away these sneaky creatures, reading kids' books about raccoons is good, harmless fun. The best picture books bring these nighttime critters to life with their uncanny ability to solve problems, climb trees, hunt for food, and generally cause quite a bit of mischief. The stories are usually about secretive, solitary adventures, though some authors deviate a bit by featuring friendly, good-natured raccoons. Be sure to read non-fiction raccoon books for kids who are interested in learning about the habitats, behaviors, and other interesting facets about these mysterious nocturnal critters.
Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories
The Kissing Hand
The Secret Pizza Party
Super Manny Stands Up!
Raccoon and the Hot Air Balloon
An inspirational story told from the perspective of a raccoon who is always dreaming of adventure. After helping a baby bird back to its nest, the raccoon decides he wants to fly. As luck would have it, the animal comes across a hot air balloon that whisks him high into the sky. When he's ready to land, an eagle friend cleverly solves the problem by weighing down the balloon with stones. Not satisfied with living a slow life on land, the raccoon embarks on an exciting ride in a speed boat. Lots of important messages shared in this colorful book about a curious raccoon.
Bedhead Ted
A quirky story about a boy who is the target of teasing due to his unruly red hair. His carrot top is so wild that it traps all kinds of that get buried deep within. Lucky for Ted, his best friend Stacy doesn't mind his hair. Together they go on a quest to capture the Brookside Beast, a terroristic raccoon that is wreaking havoc everywhere. On this adventure, Ted finally learns that having a head of hair that can catch even the most elusive targets can be a gift. A ludicrous cartoon that generates lots of laugh out loud moments.
Raccoons
Why Read Stories About Raccoons
Some children's books get creative by presenting these furry mammals as woodland creatures ready to befriend others. The reality is that raccoons prefer to be alone most of the time. They will get together to mate and raise the offspring, and may even live in small groups with other raccoons. Otherwise, these animals prefer a life incognito and spend all daylight hours hiding high in trees or in the shelter of dens. When raccoons do come in contact with humans, they behave aggressively by hissing, scratching, and biting. So be sure to remind kids that despite the friendly nature raccoons display in books, in reality they are quite nasty and should be avoided at all costs.
Fascinating Facts About Raccoons
Inquisitive kids who want to know even more about raccoons will find these facts about the sneaky critters to be pretty interesting. Nocturnal by nature, there is something mysterious and perhaps a little frightening when a child catches a glimpse of the bushy figure slinking away in the dark. Since these animals are notoriously private and difficult to observe in action, here is some trivia for kids curious to understand raccoons and their behaviors.
- Raccoons are carriers of parasites and disease. Kids should always be warned to stay far away from raccoons. Second to bats, raccoons are the most rabid wild animals, oftentimes without displaying any obvious symptoms. Rabies, although rare, is fatal in humans unless treated immediately. Raccoons also carry raccoon ringworm, leptospirosis, and distemper. These diseases can cause neurological damage and other serious problems. Since raccoon feces contaminates soil, it is essential that kids always wash hands after playing outdoors.
- Raccoons are opportunistic eaters. They can survive eating pretty much anything. Raccoons feed on acorns, grasshoppers, mice, frogs, insects, and berries. They are also rummage through trash, so if when garbage cans are tipped over with contents spread across the driveway, chances are a raccoon is the culprit. These scavengers will gobble up pet food, bird seed, small mammals, bird eggs, and pretty much anything that catches their attention.
- Raccoons are highly intelligent. Research has suggested that a raccoon's intelligence is higher than a domestic dog or cat, and perhaps just slightly lower than that of a monkey. A series of cognitive studies demonstrated that they can work through a variety of challenges in order to get their paws on food. They are incredibly curious and persistent in nature, and will not give up easily when trying to solve a problem usually around acquiring food.
- Raccoons have incredible dexterity. With five long, slender toes on each of their front and back paws, they can manipulate objects their environment much like humans. These clever animals can turn doorknobs, open boxes, lift latches, and even twist the lid of jars. For this reason, it is very challenging to keep outdoor areas safe from raccoons prying paws.
More Children's Books About Elusive Animals
There are lots of critters that emerge from the darkness and slink through backyards when humans have retreated into their homes for the night. These animals do not like to be seen during daylight hours, so they stay hidden in dens, burrows, and deep in the woods until the sun sets and they can move about freely. There is something creepy, mysterious, and fascinating about nighttime critters that creep, crawl, and swoop through the darkness scavenging for food and avoiding human contact. These stories will give kids a look at what these animals, just like raccoons, do when the rest of the world is sleeping.
Prickly Porcupine Picture Books