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Quick answer: The best picture Books About Raccoons include The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn, A Kiss Goodbye by Audrey Penn and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Raccoons, with their masked faces and clever paws, make wonderful characters for young readers. These picture books include comforting stories about starting school, gentle animal adventures and real raccoon facts.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Kissing Hand | Audrey Penn | 3-7 | kids starting school |
| A Pocket Full of Kisses | Audrey Penn | 3-7 | new big brothers |
| A Kiss Goodbye | Audrey Penn | 3-7 | kids who are moving |
| Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully | Audrey Penn | 4-8 | kids facing a bully |
| Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories | Audrey Penn | 4-8 | kids who lost a friend |
| A Bedtime Kiss for Chester Raccoon | Audrey Penn | 3-6 | bedtime |
| Raccoon Tune | Nancy Shaw | 3-6 | rhyme lovers |
| Raccoon on His Own | Jim Arnosky | 3-6 | nature lovers |
| Raccoons and Ripe Corn | Jim Arnosky | 3-6 | farm and forest fans |
| Little Raccoon and the Thing in the Pool | Lilian Moore | 4-7 | kids afraid of new things |
| Little Raccoon's Big Question | Miriam Schlein | 3-6 | kids who need reassurance |
| A Raccoon's Life | John Himmelman | 4-8 | young scientists |
| Raccoon's Last Race | Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac | 4-8 | folktale fans |
| Little Rascal | Sterling North | 6-9 | animal story fans |
| Rascal | Sterling North | 9-12 | older readers |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Chester Raccoon's mother gives him a kiss in his palm to carry to school. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids starting school.
2. A Pocket Full of Kisses by Audrey Penn
Chester worries that his mother loves his little brother more. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: new big brothers.
3. A Kiss Goodbye by Audrey Penn
Chester doesn't want to leave his home. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids who are moving.
4. Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully by Audrey Penn
Chester and his friends help a bully change. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids facing a bully.
5. Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories by Audrey Penn
Chester learns how to remember a friend. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids who lost a friend.
6. A Bedtime Kiss for Chester Raccoon by Audrey Penn
Chester can't sleep without his mother's kiss. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: bedtime.
7. Raccoon Tune by Nancy Shaw
A raccoon family raids trash cans at night. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: rhyme lovers.
8. Raccoon on His Own by Jim Arnosky
A young raccoon floats downstream in a canoe. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: nature lovers.
9. Raccoons and Ripe Corn by Jim Arnosky
Raccoons feast in a cornfield at night. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: farm and forest fans.
10. Little Raccoon and the Thing in the Pool by Lilian Moore
Little Raccoon is scared of something in the water. Recommended ages: about 4-7.
Best for: kids afraid of new things.
11. Little Raccoon's Big Question by Miriam Schlein
Little Raccoon asks his mother what she loves best. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: kids who need reassurance.
12. A Raccoon's Life by John Himmelman
Follows a raccoon through a year. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: young scientists.
13. Raccoon's Last Race by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac
An Abenaki tale explains why raccoons have short legs. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: folktale fans.
14. Little Rascal by Sterling North
A shorter version of the true story of a boy's pet raccoon. Recommended ages: about 6-9.
Best for: animal story fans.
15. Rascal by Sterling North
Sterling raises a raccoon during a memorable year. Recommended ages: about 9-12.
Best for: older readers.
How to Choose the Right Book
For kids starting school, The Kissing Hand is the classic choice. Toddlers will enjoy Raccoon Tune and Little Raccoon's Big Question, while nature lovers should try Raccoon on His Own and A Raccoon's Life. Older readers can move on to Rascal.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 3 to 12, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.