Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories [Hardcover]

Audrey Penn (Author), Barbara Leonard Gibson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2009 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Chester Raccoon's good friend Skiddel Squirrel has had an accident and will not be returning - ever. Chester is upset that he won't get to play with his friend anymore. Mrs. Raccoon suggests that Chester and his friends create some memories of Skiddel, so that they will have good memories when they miss him. Chester, his brother Ronny, and their friends decide to gather at the pond, where they combine their memories and create a touching celebration of their friend's life.

Many young children must face the loss of loved ones or the need to attend a funeral. This sweet story will help children to understand the positive purpose behind memorial services and how "making memories" can provide cheer and comfort when missing an absent loved one.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3—When Chester returns home from school, he tells his mother that the teacher said Skiddil Squirrel had an accident and would not be coming back. Mrs. Raccoon explains that his classmate's "heart quit beating and his body didn't work any more." She comforts her sad child by suggesting that he "make a memory of Skiddil Squirrel." The two start out for the squirrel's favorite place, and other animal friends join them. At the butterfly pond, Chester tells stories about how Skiddil loved butterflies and how he buried acorns for winter, but never found them. When Mrs. Raccoon points to a grove of young oak trees, Chester exclaims, "The forest made a Skiddil Squirrel memory!" Then he picks up an acorn to take home with him. Simple, direct dialogue demonstrates the love between this mother and child. Bright, stylized illustrations on high-gloss pages depict the animals with human emotions, convey warmth, and reinforce the text. Despite the tough subject, this fifth book in the series that began with The Kissing Hand (Child Welfare League of America, 1993) has a reassuring tone and provides an opening for a discussion on death and remembering loved ones.—Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tanglewood Press (August 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933718293
• ISBN-13: 978-1933718293
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,814 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Death & Dying

More About the Author

I started my first career as a ballerina dancing with the National Ballet, New York City Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, and the Danny Diamond Dance Theatre. I also served as alignist and choreographer for the U.S Figure Skating Team in preparation for the Pan American Games (1973), and for the 1976 Olympic Gymnastics team. In 1980 I became too ill with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) to continue dancing. Because I had done a lot of children's theatre and children's dance, and I have always enjoyed children's literature, I turned to writing children's books for my creative outlet.


But my writing career actually began much earlier than 1980. When I was a young girl, I had two older brothers who took great joy in teasing me.

When I was in the fourth grade, I began keeping journals of the silly things they would say and do. Then I began adding things my pets did. Finally, I began to write down everything I saw and heard every day.

When I was in my early twenties, my mother found my journals and I turned the stories into my first book called, Happy Apple Told Me. But, I learned a very hard lesson writing that first book. I learned that you don't just write a book; you rewrite, and rewrite, and rewrite, and rewrite a book. Thirty years later, I am still learning.

My passionate advocacy for children continually molds my writing style and subject matter. I have taken my one-woman educational program, The Writing Penn, into schools, libraries, and children's hospitals, where I shape and refine my story ideas in partnership with kids.


My favorite part about being a children's author is meeting my readers when I speak at a school or at a store. I get so many wonderful ideas from you, and you, and you. So, thank you for your inspired ideas, and letters, and emails. Now, it's your turn to keep a journal.

I live with my husband, my youngest daughter (who inspired The Kissing Hand), and two dogs in Olney, Maryland. We have three children and one foster child.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for one on one situations, September 23, 2010

By 

Susan W. Flake - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories (Hardcover)

I enjoy using Chester Raccoon stories with my first graders because the author uses Chesters Mom to help students with changes in their lives (going to school, moving). She is very wise. In this book Mother Raccoon helps Chester understand about death. It is gently written and would be good for reading to a child, but I would not recommend it for whole class reading since it deals with death.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book For Children, June 21, 2010

By 

Kris Foxx (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories (Hardcover)

I ordered this book and the two other Chester Books, for a friend for her Grandson. He was thrilled. I babysat for him about a week after they arrived and while I was getting him dressed for bed, he remembered the new books and dragged me over to the bookcase to find them. He loves them! The books teach kids how to deal with feelings and interact with others. They are wonderful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, January 26, 2010

By 

Lisa Barker - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories (Hardcover)

My jaw dropped when I opened this book. From the start the illustrations enfold the reader and sweep you right into an expertly written story that is as tender and touching as it is consoling and healing. The prose is always only soothing and motherly and not the least bit syrupy or patronizing.

Here's the breakdown:

Characters: Chester and his mother quickly resonate with the young reader especially in their dialog where Mother Raccoon is soothing and reassuring, wise and nurturing.

Events / Story Line: This story line is remarkable in that it offers children a practical means to work out their mourning; something constructive to do when a little one feels helpless.

Illustrations: Awesome. I like the full page illustrations. They really underscore the soothing tone of the story while dealing with a somber subject and offering hope.

Reader relevance: I think this is a book that little ones will appreciate, giving them an outlet for their emotions and something to create and hang onto with regard to their deceased loved one.