RACCOON'S LAST RACE

1. Bibliography

Told by Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac. 2004. Raccoon’s Last Race. Ill. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803729774

2. Plot Summary

            Raccoon loves to race people and win. When he takes on a different opponent, after picking on too many people, he is faced with a new challenge which requires him to ask for help from some new friends. Raccoon is forced into making a change.    

3. Critical Analysis

            Raccoon’s Last Race meets all the criteria for being a traditional fable. The talking animals play their roles of good and evil. The plot is predictable but full of action. Raccoon, who acts as the evil character, is punished for his behavior in a humorous way. The setting is set in a distant location sometime in the past, and remains ambiguous throughout the tale. The language is appropriate for the American Indian tale, and an example of this it the use of “Grandfather” and “Grandson” in the interaction between Azban, the raccoon, and the Big Rock. The illustrations made from “pen-and-ink, gouache, and pastel” (Bruchac) are able to add color and animation to the story. The pictures also help present the setting and style to the story. The illustrators use lines to show action, and also add a more humor to the story. Combining the story and the illustrations together makes for a fable worth reading.

4. Reviews

Kirkus Review; “The illustrators' familiar pen-and-ink, gouache, and pastel work is as appealing as ever-Azban is a particularly engaging character. Readers will hope this foursome keeps on rolling.”

Publishers Weekly; “Father and son writing team Joseph and James Bruchac return with their third folktale, Raccoon's Last Race, illus. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. Here, long-limbed, speedy raccoon taunts his rivals as he easily outruns them. But when he has an accident, he gets his just deserts because of his ungracious nature.”

5. Connections

* What stories have you been told to explain why things are the way they are?  

* Which character do you relate to most?

* Write your own story that explains why things are a certain way.

* Use a felt board to act out the story.

* Other books by Joseph and James Bruchac:

            Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac. How Chipmunk Got His Stripes. Ill. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. ISBN 0142500216

            Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac. Turtle’s Race with Beaver. Ill. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. ISBN 0142404667

            Bruchac, Joseph. The First Strawberries. Ill. by Anna Vojtech. ISBN 0140564098