A tender story that reminds readers of all ages that a kind heart will always make room for friends.
When thunder roars and lightning flashes, Raccoon is afraid to be alone in his home. So he hurries out to see if any of his neighbors in Thistle Hollow have room to spare for a friend in need. When Raccoon knocks on the doors of Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck, he is turned away. But then Raccoon spies a bright light in the storm. Will this next neighbor open up her house and heart to Raccoon?
December 15, 2017
Thunderstorms are for sharing."Rain poured. / Raccoon shivered. / Thunder roared. / Raccoon quivered." Raccoon is not altogether comfortable alone in his den as the storm outside rages. Nevertheless, he braves the wet night in order to find some company with whom he can share his collywobbles. In a narrative composed of onomatopoeia and occasional verse, Raccoon travels through the woods, dropping in on Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck in turn, only to be refused entry because there isn't enough room. "Swish, swish, PLISH." Raccoon pushes on through the darkness and rain--Poh's fine artwork resembles particularly good theatrical backdrops against which her stylized figures stand out--until he reaches Rabbit's hutch, overrun with little rabbits. Raccoon thinks it's another bust until Rabbit says, "What good luck....Come right in. There's always room for a good friend." Being rabbits, they have to be space-ready. Soon enough Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck come knocking, seeking emotional shelter from the storm, and they, too, are welcomed in for some carrot stew and to romp with the 10 little rabbits. Come on in, the story says without saying it, which is always the best way, there's always room for one more. Readers may notice that only Rabbit is identified as female, which reinforces more than one stereotype.Lovely artwork combined with goodwill toward men. (Picture book. 3-7)
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February 1, 2018
PreS-Gr 1-Afraid to be home alone during a storm, Raccoon sets out to find a friend to stay with. Turns out that the homes of Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck are too small to share. Cold and dejected, Raccoon makes one last stop at Rabbit's house where he is certain that the large rabbit family will have no room to spare. However, Rabbit invites him in, explaining, "There's always room for a good friend." In fact, when Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck show up looking for company in the storm, Rabbit has space for them as well and all the friends ride out the storm together. The artwork is bright and inviting. Even the scenes where it is dark and Raccoon is afraid are not scary. While the story's motif is not new, it is one that will would work well for storytimes about friendship. VERDICT A solid general purchase for school and public libraries.-Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
December 1, 2017
Preschool-G Raccoon has a home, but what with the pouring rain, the roaring thunder, and the flashing lightning, he's scared to be alone. He grabs his umbrella and heads for Possum's house, but his friend turns him away, insisting that Raccoon won't fit. He splashes over to ask Quail and then Woodchuck for shelter, but each one refuses, giving the same excuse. At Rabbit's house, though, she takes him in, makes him comfortable, and feeds him carrot stew. Hearing another knock at her door, Rabbit welcomes three more frightened friends: Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck. Kids will sympathize with Raccoon as they vicariously experience his fear, his dejection, his discomfort, and (at last!) his happiness when he finds a haven. Nicely worded and well paced, the story offers plenty of phrases that will encourage children, given the slightest encouragement, to help with the telling. The stylized illustrations make good use of contrast, from the dark, foreboding storm scenes to the bright, busy interior of Rabbit's home. A satisfying read-aloud choice for dark, stormy nightsand pleasant days as well.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)