The Raccoons Young Reader Novels: From Animation to Imagination for World Book Day

Celebrating World Book Day with The Raccoons

I was thinking about World Book Day, coming up soon, and I thought I might share with you a couple of interesting stories about The Raccoons and their storybooks.

Kevin reading "The Christmas Raccoons"

Partnering with Candy Jar Books to Expand The Raccoons Universe

A couple of years back we entered into a deal with Candy Jar Books out of the UK for Young Reader novels. The publisher, Shaun Russell, asked me how I would feel about working with some very cool writers and giving them an ‘open book’ (excuse the pun – blame my Dad!) to take the original stories and expand them liberally out from there. Shaun wanted to create a series of stories that had recognizable roots but also held surprises for the readers. He saw the series as a bonding opportunity for young people and a parent to read a chapter each night and share the story together.

I thought the idea was genius as it also came with the added benefit of making the books interactive.

But more on that later.

Bringing The Raccoons to Life Through Acclaimed Writers

Shaun introduced me to 3 incredible writers

• Chris McGuire

• Ian McLaughlin

• John Peel

all novelists with impeccable credits and as a bonus, they knew the original Raccoons characters and storylines first-hand.

I waited anxiously for their stories to come in.

The First Three Raccoons Young Reader Novels

The first 3:

• Blast from the Past

• Cry Wolf

• The One That Got Away

all very different story subject matters. The results were amazing – they had successfully shepherded the characters from animation to a world built for a reader’s imagination. They were masterpieces of invention and inspiration.

A True Family Bonding Experience

We have heard from countless parents (and their kids) how much they have embraced the books. Some have written reviews that have praised them as great bonding experiences with their kids – which they both looked forward to reading every night. Candy Jar Books has already added a holiday story with “The Christmas Raccoons”, and more books are already in development.

The Raccoons at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair

Shaun and I will be traveling to Bologna for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in April – looking to expand The Raccoons Young Reader Novels into multiple languages.

It has been an extraordinary journey to see The Raccoons characters and stories graduate from the screen of Animation to the screen of Imagination that reading a book can offer.

Thank you, Shaun, Chris, Ian and John for creating that opportunity!

Interactive Storytelling: Hidden Easter Eggs & QR Music Videos

Oh, and the added benefit of interactivity that I mentioned earlier? Each book has a hidden ‘Easter Egg’, a QR link to an animated music video that is tied to that special moment in the story! How cool is that?! :)