About This Book
Reach for this book when your child seems to be pushing others away or using a grumpy, difficult personality as a shield against getting hurt. This story follows Macaroon, a raccoon who is tired of the heartbreak that comes with saying goodbye to human friends every spring. To solve this, he decides to find the most 'impossible' and unpleasant child he can, assuming he won't care when it is time to leave her. However, his plan backfires in the most heartwarming way. Through the relationship between a cynical animal and a lonely, misunderstood girl named Erika, the story explores how kindness and patience can penetrate even the thickest emotional armor. It is a gentle, sophisticated chapter book for ages 7 to 10 that provides a safe space to discuss why people sometimes act 'mean' when they are actually just feeling lonely or unloved. It is an excellent choice for normalizing complex social feelings and building empathy.
