This was an unfamiliar story with twists and turns I couldn't predict. I knew the lithe and speedy raccoon would change its form, but as a reader I was unsure how this would happen. What a nice change of pace!

This is a Native American trickster tail told with animals and a great big grandfather boulder. The pace of the story moves quickly, the animal qualities are wisely attributed. There is an explanation for the raccoon we recognize today and many messages about appreciating the little but strong, refraining from taunting, or even patiently waiting. With so many kernels of wisdom, any reader could find something to take from this story. Although older applications for the text such as creative writing could be considered, I thought younger children would enjoy the text and illustrations.

Trickster tales are often popular with audiences of a variety of ages and this one does not disappoint. The raccoon taunts friends, alienates itself, and eventually goes so far as to push an elderly boulder into a race it does not wish to compete in. As with other stories, there are consequences for the braggart of a raccoon. The animals placed in abstract backgrounds are often rudimentary and have simple lines and easily recognizable colors. This could help with an out-loud reading. As the reader read aloud the text, listeners eyes would be able to examine everything on the page before the reader turned the page.

I would be curious to read another version and examine the effect more detailed illustrations might have on the story or the characters. It's exciting to have a Native American tale from the Abenaki Indian culture. ( )

In this Abenaki story, Raccoon plays an arrogant trickster who races all the other animals and always wins thanks to his long legs and long body. When the other animals refuse to race Raccoon anymore, he challenges a large rock to a race down a mountain. The rock squashes Raccoon. Raccoon asks some ants to help stretch his body out again by promising them that he will be their friend. However, when Raccoon is almost stretched out, he brushes the ants off and taunts them. When he walks off, he realizes the ants weren't done! Raccoon is left with the squashy, short body that raccoons have today.

Trickster stories from any culture tend to be a favorite among children and adults, who love to see either the clever trickster outwitting an opponent or the arrogant trickster getting his comeuppance. This traditional folktale from the Abenaki (a Northwestern Native American tribe and First Nation) is a prime example of the latter type of trickster story. Raccoon is portrayed as mean and taunting to build up the story, and readers will delight when the rude Raccoon meets the consequences of his actions.

The prose is told in a traditional style, with some added sound effects that make it clear Raccoon's Last Race is meant to be told aloud, in the oral storytelling tradition. As the Raccoon races the other animals, the fox goes zip-zip! When Raccoon falls down the mountain and is squashed by the rock, readers are treated to the Ka-boom! Ka-boom! SPLAT! Ka-boom! as the rock travels down the mountain. When the rabbit ignores Raccoon's pleas at the end to help him, he goes ka-bunk, ka-bunk!

The illustrations are decent, though not exceptional in any way. The backgrounds are an impressionist blur of watercolor suggesting a field, or a sky, or a mountain on each page. The main characters and foreground objects are rendered in a sharp, crude style that is jarring when put against the softer backgrounds, and somehow robs the story of its dignity. When placed against the traditional storytelling style, the modern illustrations are jarring and discordant.

Additionally, some of the illustrations are unpleasant to look at: Raccoon's original body looks stretched and grotesque, and his expression is mean and scary. The rock is portrayed with sharp edges, and, inexplicably, sharp teeth in its mouth.

Though the story is fun and well-told, the illustrations detract from the story itself, leaving this a middling read. ( )

My personal response to the book: This is a great children's story that teaches about animals and getting along with others. I have now personally purchased this book to accompany my collection.
Curriculum connection: A school could use this book when teaching about animals, science, counseling and getting along with others. I would use the book to supplement my Native American unit as well as to support the Montana standards for Native Americans and the teaching of folktales also a Montana standard.

Legend has it that raccoons have not always been the cute chubby creatures that we know today. In this Native American tale, we see a story as to why raccoons got their short stature. Long ago there was a raccoon named Azban. He was the fastest animal in all the land, he had long legs and a extremely long body. He raced every animal he could find and always won. Azban was not the least bit humble and loved to brag about how fast he was. The other animals stopped associating with him because he was just so mean. When Azban found himself in a bind, no one would help him. Azban was stuck with no way out. No animals but an ant were willing to him. With teamwork and dedication the colony of ants were able to pick Azban up and save him with the promise that they would be friends forever. The only downside to being saved was that raccoons were never the same again. Azban lost his long legs and speed but gained a true friendship. This book had so many lessons to be learned. Friendship is a powerful and selfless. Even though Azban thought he was better than everyone, his new found friendship proved even the smallest and powerless creature can be something bigger than himself. No matter how fast, smart, pretty, and better at something you are, always be nice and humble, you never know when the abilities that make you stand out from the rest will be taken away. This story reminded me of the "Tortoise and a the Hare." The fastest do not always come out as winners. I enjoyed this story, the style of this story was energetic and humorous with a great theme that kids will love. ( )

In this Native American trickster tale, raccoon challenges everyone to a race which he always wins, until he meets up with Grandfather rock. The race changes him into the raccoon we know today.