A Week of Raccoons [Hardcover]

Gloria Whelan (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Raids on his corn, garbage can, and bird feeder lead Mr. Twerkle to trap five raccoons and take them out to the woods, but they refuse to stay where he puts them.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

On Sunday, Mrs. Twerkle's petunias are knocked over by a raccoon searching for grubs; she alerts Mr. Twerkle and he prepares a cage. When he traps the raccoon, he takes him past a tumble-down log cabin, up a hill to an apple tree and down a hill to a bridge that crossed a stream and finally to the piny woods. There Mr. Twerkle lets the little bandit go. But the Twerkle's troubles are not over. Each day there is evidence of a raccoon's visit; each morning Mr. Twerkle makes the trip to the piny woods. By the end of the week, the five raccoons now in the woods put together their route back to the Twerkles. But some succulent meals distract them, and the husband and wife live a life that is raccoon-free. It won't take long for most readers to pick up the main thread of this tale, and while the ending provides some surprises, they do not compensate for the long-winded telling and dull refrain. Munsinger's pictures, for once, bring little to the tale; she repeatswith minor changesthe same illustration to the point of tedium. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2 For nearly a week, Mr. and Mrs. Twerkle are bothered by raccoons. Each day the pesky animals cause some new damage, and each night Mr. Twerkle traps one, which he takes away to the piney woods. The story is told in a repetitive cycle which goes on for five days. The episodes vary in their beginning, and each concludes with minor variations in a nearly identical page which shows the route that Mr. Twerkle's pickup truck follows to the piny woods. The narrative and softly colored line drawings are competent and moderately humorous, although the extension of the cycle to five repetitions prolongs the gimmick a bit too long. The raccoons speak to each other in human conversation as they meet each other in the woods, and they hit on a plan to return to the better feeding ground at the Twerkles'. The denouement is entertaining as they each find a more satisfying place at one of the landmarks remembered from the trip to the woods. The modest domestic problem is at last resolved, and on the last day of the week the Twerkles are free of raccoons. Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394883969
• ISBN-13: 978-0394883960
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Illustrations, animal "dialogue," sequencing of events, December 21, 2002

By 

literary mom in the Valley (San Fernando Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Week of Raccoons (Hardcover)

We had gotten this book out of the library for our raccoon-crazy daughter. We ALL loved it and bought it from Amazon Marketplace ...The characters are cute, interact well with each other, have a memorable sequence of events/activities such as how WILL the five raccoons find their way back to the blue-green pond? My daughter also learned a lot about the various things raccoons eat. We are so sorry this is out of print.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Week of Raccoons, February 27, 2002

By 

"sankr" (Mound, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Week of Raccoons (Hardcover)

I found this book while teaching in a rural community and used to show sequence, days of the week, and mapping. I just loved this book and wished I could have brought it home with me! The illustrations are beautiful and so well done. Great for teachers!