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Raccoons Go Rafting: Coloring and Activity Book
Raccoons Go Rafting: Coloring and Activity Book, an engaging coloring and activity book written by Rachel Vogel and illustrated by Anthony Richichi, is an ideal addition to any child’s summer vacation toolkit. This delightful book invites young readers to bring the story of six raccoons on their first river rapids adventure to life with their own creative touches on the black-and-white pages.
As an educator, I am particularly impressed by the inclusion of blank speech bubbles that encourage children to craft their own dialogue, enhancing the raccoons’ lively tale. This feature not only stimulates imagination but also fosters budding writing skills, allowing children to create unique conversations and exchanges between characters throughout the book. Vogel’s open-ended activity is a brilliant tool for inspiring young writers to develop original adventure stories.
Raccoons Go Rafting: Coloring and Activity Book goes beyond storytelling by incorporating a variety of activities that promote learning. The book concludes with adventure badges, a hidden picture puzzle, a maze, blank pages for story writing, a word search, and two informative pages about the Hudson River and raccoons. These additional features make it an excellent resource for both rainy-day indoor activities and long car rides.
Young readers who enjoy a blend of fiction and nonfiction will find Vogel’s work captivating, relishing the opportunity to participate in the story construction themselves. I highly recommend Raccoons Go Rafting: Coloring and Activity Book to families seeking an educational book that ignites the imagination and creativity of their young readers.
Pages: 42 | ISBN : 978-1955568289
Raccoons Go Rafting
Raccoons Go Rafting by Rachel Vogel is a charming little tale that’s like a splash of cold river water on a hot summer day – refreshing and invigorating. It’s a cute picture book that follows a group of adventurous raccoons on their rafting escapade. The simplicity of the narrative, with its short and snappy phrases, makes every page a delightful turn for young readers.
Vogel’s writing style is playful and energetic, perfectly capturing the essence of a child’s adventure. Phrases like “Raccoons rush” and “Raccoons flush” are not only fun to read aloud but also vividly portray the raccoons’ antics. The rhythm gets little minds racing with excitement. The brevity of the text per page makes it an excellent choice for beginner readers or a quick bedtime story.
The illustrations by Anthony Richichi are absolutely charming and match the book’s fun tone. They are windows into the raccoons’ world, rich in color and life. The raccoons’ expressions as they surf and swim bring the story to life. Kids will love pointing out the little details in each picture, from the raccoons’ mischievous grins to the vibrant river scenes. It’s a visual treat that complements the story beautifully.
Raccoons Go Rafting is a splendid pick for young readers and parents alike. This children’s book is very entertaining, even with just a few words. The book is an invitation to explore the outdoors, fostering a love for adventure and nature in its readers. I’d recommend this picture book to anyone with young kids, especially those who are just starting to read or have an affinity for animals and nature. I’m sure it will be a book that will be reached time and again at bedtime, becoming a cherished part of any child’s book collection.
Pages: 32 | ISBN : 1955568278
Impressions Are Always Changing
Nugget and Bandit’s First Winter follows an adventurous and curious raccoon living on one side of a mountain who makes friends with another raccoon and two squirrels, and together they explore the other side of the mountain. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for Nugget & Bandit’s First Winter came from my own “tail” of friendship. My adventure started with learning to ski at West Mountain with the instructor who became the inspiration for Bandit. I swear when I first met him, I thought he was crazy, so it was only fitting that Bandit experienced the same first impressions in our wintry “tail.”
The gifts inside our debut chapter book were also reminiscent of the “Chicklets from your chick” I used to give Bandit. The necklace in the book was one of my most cherished gifts from Bandit. The mountains on the map are all places that we explored together, and Bandit did actually gift me a day of skiing at Bromley that ended in a terrible tumble. My right big toenail will never look the same!
The art in this book is fantastic. Each page is filled with wonder and draws young readers’ attention right into the story. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Anthony Richichi?
When starting my author journey, I was encouraged to query traditional publishers, but during my research, I found that was not the best publishing path for me. I wanted to be fully hands-on throughout the whole publishing process, including illustration design and layout. In the end, this desire to retain full rights to all decisions made indie publishing the best for me. When I found Saratoga Springs Publishing, owned by Vicki Addesso Dodd, she was as passionate about creating my books as I was!
As I created this “tail”, images were already swirling around my head like the snowflakes in this wintry adventure. After drafting my image ideas and placements, SSP and I storyboarded. There were so many little details from my own memories that I wanted to highlight! The names of the trails are actually from West Mountain on page 67.
My amazing publisher, Vicki, introduced me and Anthony. I had told Vicki I had all the images already thought of but would be in need of an illustrator and she had happily provided referrals. I fell in love with Anthony’s gorgeous nature paintings.
It was amazing to be able to storyboard with Vicki, and her encouragement has led me to actually like my “Franken-coons” as we call my cat-faced, stick-bodied, and raccoon-tailed attempts at drawing! After creating our storyboard drafts, we all worked together with Anthony through initial drafts to final images. Watching Anthony be able to capture the images that were in my head with such skill is mind-blowing. I look forward to more fantastic artwork collaborations with Anthony and Vicki!
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In this chapter book, I wanted the message of friendship to resonate throughout the adventure. As a mother of five children, I think that it is important to remember that friendships won’t bloom if you don’t give them a chance. Anyone and everyone you meet could possibly become a friend. While first impressions are very important, I wanted to remind my children that impressions are always changing. Having an open mind to try new adventures with all kinds of people makes life memorable. I would know from experience! If I hadn’t become friends with Bandit, I would not have earned the nickname Nugget. There would have been a lot of experiences I would have never enjoyed as well!
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the first book in a winter and summer series featuring the adventures of Nugget and Bandit. Fans can expect a sassier Nugget and even bigger surprises from Bandit! There will also be lots of new friends made along the way. The next book will really highlight the underlying message of exploration and believing in yourself as you continue to learn new skills. We anticipate another furry release in Winter 2024! While you wait for the next snowy adventure, check out Nugget and Bandit on the Hudson River in Raccoons Go Rafting. The rafting sequel, Raccoons Ride the Dragonback, will be released this summer!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Everyday she would visit her favorite log on West Mountain until Nugget meets new friends and experiences a different side of the mountain.
Join the adventure as Nugget learns to ski with Bandit, the raccoon, and Pip and Squeak, two squirrel brothers.
Explore West and Bromley Mountain with these furry friends. Both mountains bring new lessons and new memories.
“There are more skiing adventure to come,” promises Nugget.
Nugget & Bandit’s First Winter
Rachel Vogel’s Nugget and Bandit’s First Winter invites readers into a charming and beautifully illustrated world of woodland adventure. The story centers on Nugget, a curious raccoon who discovers the joys of exploration and friendship upon meeting Bandit, a fellow raccoon. Their escapades, along with the amusing squirrel duo Pip and Squeak, are set in a picturesque forest that vividly comes to life through Anthony Richichi’s captivating illustrations.
Nugget, characterized by her sweet and inquisitive nature, evokes a sense of familiarity and warmth reminiscent of personal encounters with wildlife. With his audacious and humorous personality, Bandit complements Nugget’s character perfectly. The inclusion of Pip and Squeak adds a delightful layer of humor to the narrative, enhancing the story’s overall appeal. The book’s setting, integrating real-life mountains and trails, lends an authentic touch to the narrative. The story’s conclusion elegantly leaves the door open for future adventures, subtly balancing the promise of more tales to come with a satisfying sense of closure.
Nugget and Bandit’s First Winter is a heartwarming tale of adventure and friendship, making it an ideal read for families and young readers. Its engaging storyline, delightful cast of characters, and enchanting illustrations make it a memorable addition to children’s literature. Vogel’s creation is a testament to the joys of exploration and the bonds of friendship. It’s a story that entertains and subtly inspires a love for nature and adventure, promising more exciting journeys with Nugget and her friends in future installments.
Pages: 88 | ASIN : B0CJXHQW1W
LITERARY TITAN 