Raccoons Go Rafting: Coloring and Activity Book invites young readers to illustrate, provide dialogue, and display creativity as they bring the story of six adventurous raccoons to life. What inspired you to create an activity book as a companion text to Raccoons Go Rafting?

The inspiration for Raccoons Go Rafting: Coloring and Activity Book came from my interactions at readings and events. Young readers loved that the simplicity of the text in Raccoons Go Rafting let them create some of the raccoon’s reactions in their own style. Students in the schools were asking great questions about the Hudson River and raccoons. Most exciting to me was the number of students with a passion for writing. They truly have stories inside them just waiting to be told. These amazing future writers inspired me to create a version of this “tail” that gave them more interactive and creative opportunities. Thank you to all my raccoon fans whose curiosity, passion, and inquisitiveness brought this coloring and activity book to life!

You include a list of facts about raccoons and the Hudson River for your readers. In your research for this book, did you find anything particularly interesting?

I found this section to be the most difficult to create because there are so many cool facts that could have been included! All the Hudson River facts were pieces of information that I would tell my crew while guiding. It was a lot of fun to research raccoon facts. Out of all the wildlife presentations and programs I have attended throughout my youth, raccoons were only briefly mentioned, if ever. Raccoons’ adorable black masks, delicate black hands, and bushy tails are some of my favorite physical features. I found it interesting that raccoons can have as little as four rings on their tails to as many as ten rings. Also, I did not realize that a raccoon’s lifespan in the wild is three to five years!

I love the idea of having readers supply dialogue for characters. How important do you believe it is for children to practice creative writing?

I believe that it is crucial for children to practice creative writing organically. If they enjoy creative writing in their youth, they will be more apt to continue writing as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. Also, creative writing and reading tend to go hand in hand. A child who loves writing most likely also loves reading and vice versa. As a mother of five and with my experience in education in various roles, I have seen the power and confidence that imagination and creative writing give children. It enables them to communicate effectively, encourages them to see the world from different views, and inspires them to become actively engaged in the world around them!

Can fans look forward to seeing more adventures with the raccoon crew? What are you currently working on?

Our raccoon crew is working hard exploring new possibilities for future adventures! While our Raccoons Ride the Dragonback is still being created, we have been enjoying other local gems like the Natural Stone Bridge and Caves in Pottersville (N.Y.) and Secret Caverns in Howe (N.Y.). These amazing natural wonders are perfect for raccoon adventures and family fun! Add them to your summer adventure list too!

Winter adventures will also continue with Nugget and Bandit’s chapter books; our newest installment Nugget & Bandit: From Student to Teacher is anticipated to release this upcoming winter season!

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