Hunter's Best Friend at School

By Laura Malone Elliott

Book Overview

A charming picture book about two raccoons and the joys and perils of first friendship. Hunter and Stripe are best friends. This young raccoon pair loves to do everything together, like dress in striped sweaters, read the same stories, and even eat the same lunch--a crawfish sandwich, huckleberries, and milk. But when Stripe arrives one day at school in a mischief-making mood and starts stirring up trouble in Mr. Ringtail's class, should Hunter follow along Laura Malone Elliott and Lynn Munsinger introduce two delightful pals who will entertain young children as they also provide an important look at peer pressure and first friendships.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060753196
• ISBN13: 9780060753191
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 10.8"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

My daughter loves this book!

My daughter will be 3 in April and we discovered this book at the library while picking out books after story time. She wants to read this one every night at bedtime, so I plan to buy it for her for her birthday. I echo all the other reviews, and agree that I think it is one that should be in every child's library! Even though the situations in the book happen to "raccoon children" they are real life situations that could happen to any "human child". Great job!

Great book!

I bought this book for my nephew who is named Hunter! It's a great story--with a message, but not in a pushy way.Peer pressure is a difficult subject to address; this book handles it superbly!!

Can a best friend, help his friend be his best self?

As an educator of young children for over twenty-five years, I find Hunter's Best Friend at School by Laura Elliott to be one of the best books I have ever read, dealing with being true to one's self. All children want to be liked and often do things that they would not otherwise do, just to be accepted. Hunter and Stripe are such friends, yet with the help of his mother and his teacher, Hunter is able to set an example that encourages Stripe to be "his best self." This book is absolutely delightful and entertaining. The words, the illustrations, the message of being true to oneself is certainly needed in today's world. I read it to a Kindergarten class that was spellbound by the second page. The school librarian is going to order one copy for each of the primary classes at our school. My own grandsons, age five and seven, were touched by Hunter's example, with the five-year-old saying, "my eyes are getting wet from hearing that story" and the seven-year-old saying, "I have that problem with my friend." Out of the mouth of babes is a telling review of this wonderful book and I would encourage every parent and grandparent to include it in their children's library as soon as possible.

An endearing tale about being your "best self!"

Ms. Elliot has followed up her acclaimed book for young adults, "Under a War-Torn Sky", with a charming new book for 2-6 year olds. My children love to hear about the little racoon's dilemma about following along with his best pal's naughty antics versus trying to inspire his friend to behave as his "best self." The story is wonderfully entertaining (my son walks around quoting his favorite characters' lines!), the illustrations are adorable, and the book teaches a valuable message for kids of all ages. Hunter has become my children's favorite book -- I highly recommend it!

A must for kindergarten classrooms!

This is an adorable book which will grab a child's attention from the beginning. I think this must become a staple for every kindergarten classroom. I was in public education at the kindergarten level. The lesson taught here on "peer" pressure, is a lesson that cannot be taught too early in a child's school career. The illustrations are wonderful too! Ms. Elliott and Ms. Munsinger, congratulations! You have done it again!