What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bedtime Story Books
The Adventures of Bobby Coon
DREAMS are such queer things, so very real when all the time they are unreal, that sometimes I think they must be the work of fairies,—happy dreams the work of good fairies and bad dreams the work of bad fairies. I guess you've had both kinds. I know I have many times. However, Bobby Coon says that fairies have nothing to do with dreams. Bobby ought to know, for be spends most of the winter asleep, and it is only when you are asleep that you have real dreams.
Bobby had kept awake as long as there was anything to eat, but when Jack Frost froze everything bard, and rough Brother North Wind brought the storm-clouds that covered the Green Forest with snow, Bobby climbed into his warm bed inside the big hollow chestnut tree which he called his, curled up comfortably, and went to sleep. He didn't care a hair of his ringed tail how cold it was or how Brother North Wind howled and shrieked and blustered. He was so fat that it made him wheeze and puff whenever he tried to hurry during the last few days he was abroad, and this fat helped to keep him warm while he slept, and also kept him from waking from hunger.
Bobby had kept awake as long as there was anything to eat, but when Jack Frost froze everything bard, and rough Brother North Wind brought the storm-clouds that covered the Green Forest with snow, Bobby climbed into his warm bed inside the big hollow chestnut tree which he called his, curled up comfortably, and went to sleep. He didn't care a hair of his ringed tail how cold it was or how Brother North Wind howled and shrieked and blustered. He was so fat that it made him wheeze and puff whenever he tried to hurry during the last few days he was abroad, and this fat helped to keep him warm while he slept, and also kept him from waking from hunger.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1918
12 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Thornton W. Burgess
820 books205 followersThornton W. (Waldo) Burgess (1874-1965), American author, naturalist and conservationist, wrote popular children's stories including the Old Mother West Wind (1910) series. He would go on to write more than 100 books and thousands of short-stories during his lifetime.
Thornton Burgess loved the beauty of nature and its living creatures so much that he wrote about them for 50 years in books and his newspaper column, "Bedtime Stories". He was sometimes known as the Bedtime Story-Man. By the time he retired, he had written more than 170 books and 15,000 stories for the daily newspaper column.
Born in Sandwich, Massachusetts, Burgess was the son of Caroline F. Haywood and Thornton W. Burgess Sr., a direct descendant of Thomas Burgess, one of the first Sandwich settlers in 1637. Thornton W. Burgess, Sr., died the same year his son was born, and the young Thornton Burgess was brought up by his mother in Sandwich. They both lived in humble circumstances with relatives or paying rent. As a youth, he worked year round in order to earn money. Some of his jobs included tending cows, picking trailing arbutus or berries, shipping water lilies from local ponds, selling candy and trapping muskrats. William C. Chipman, one of his employers, lived on Discovery Hill Road, a wildlife habitat of woodland and wetland. This habitat became the setting of many stories in which Burgess refers to Smiling Pool and the Old Briar Patch.
Graduating from Sandwich High School in 1891, Burgess briefly attended a business college in Boston from 1892 to 1893, living in Somerville, Massachusetts, at that time. But he disliked studying business and wanted to write. He moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he took a job as an editorial assistant at the Phelps Publishing Company. His first stories were written under the pen name W. B. Thornton.
Burgess married Nina Osborne in 1905, but she died only a year later, leaving him to raise their son alone. It is said that he began writing bedtime stories to entertain his young son, Thornton III. Burgess remarried in 1911; his wife Fannie had two children by a previous marriage. The couple later bought a home in Hampden, Massachusetts, in 1925 that became Burgess' permanent residence in 1957. His second wife died in August 1950. Burgess returned frequently to Sandwich, which he always claimed as his birthplace and spiritual home.
In 1960, Burgess published his last book, "Now I Remember, Autobiography of an Amateur Naturalist," depicting memories of his early life in Sandwich, as well as his career highlights. That same year, Burgess, at the age of 86, had published his 15,000th story. He died on June 5, 1965, at the age of 91 in Hampden, Massachusetts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 20, 2023
ترجمه شده ی این کتاب رو کلاس پنجم از دوست صمیمیم هدیه گرفتم،چیزی برای غصه خوردن وجود نداره چون هنوزم باهاش در ارتباطم اما کاش اون لحظه ها دوباره تکرار می شدن🥺
January 31, 2011
The Burgess Books
This is a phrase that brings a smile to my face as often as I hear it. As a young child, I would lose myself for hours in the simple world of the wood and pond inhabited by Little Joe Otter, Buster Bear, Grandfather Frog, and terrorized by Farmer Brown's Boy. I can remember the very shelf, even the exact spot in the little library in Felton, CA where these books were kept. I would return practically every week with a new armload to last me until our next trip to the library. Often I would carry out stories that I read several times before, just so I could once again escape into this imaginary world of furry mischief.
I remember these books well in concept, though the specifics of most of the stories elude me. It was easily fifteen years ago when I began reading them and has been over a decade since I last picked up one of Burguess' stories to read it. That being said, this review is being written as a look back.
These stories are very simple and very fun. Of course, they are children's literature, so that's to be expected, but these stories strike me as especially so. Even still, I can remember some fascinating things I gleaned between the their covers.
For one thing, Burgess did a fantastic job of presenting the ideas of persepective and motivation in simplistic terms. For example, "The Adventures of Danny Field Mouse" would cast Old Man Coyote as a vicious, mean creature wishing to prey on Danny and his friends and family. Yet, pick up instead "The Adventures of Old Man Coyote" and you'll see that when the story is told with him as the protagonist, those pesky field mice are annoying and useful for little more than a snack. After reading both books, you're no more inclined to think of Old Man Coyote as a villian than you are to think of Danny Field Mouse as a pest that should be exterminated. (Note: This is a generic example. I do not recall if Old Man Coyote plays a role in Danny Field Mouse's story or the other way around, but this concept was presented several times. It made an impression on me.)
The only characters consistantly presented as antagonists were Farmer Brown and his boy. This would be one of the only things that I chalk up as odd, or maybe just a little "off" in these books. Humans and their influence on nature are presented as a negative influence on nature and animals - always. It's interesting to note though that while humans are seen as a negative, humanity is lauded and held up as virtuous. All of the animals take on not only human personalities but characteristics, traits, and mannerisms. From a frog with a monocle and an otter with a handkerchief tied to a stick, to a busy-body Jay and a reclusive owl who desires only to be left alone, humanity and it's traits keep cropping up.
Which would be another thing of value I feel that I saw in the Burgess books. These stories are full of social interaction and personality conflicts, even if they are charicatured more often than not. We see over and over again a working out of peace, if not harmony, between conflicting personalities. It may not always be easy to point out a scripture to reinforce the lesson implied, but social harmony is presented and more often than not, resolution is through reconciliation, forgiveness, or a similar method that is not only laudable, but distinctly Christian in action if not motivation.
All in all, the world created by Thornton W. Burgess is imaginative, innocent, fun, and educational. My reccomendation? Grab a handful from your local library, gather a group of kids as an excuse, and lose yourselves in childhood imaginations as you read aloud the stories that have captivated several generations of young readers with the antics of our furry, albiet elusively human, friends.
(Disclaimers: As I said, it has been over a decade since I actually read one of Burgess' books. As such, there may be a specific example that's a little off in this review or something that I would have noticed as an adult that my childhood memories are missing. Also, all of these books say I read them in 1998. While I'm certain I read several of them that year, I'm sure I read some before and after that date as well.)
This is a phrase that brings a smile to my face as often as I hear it. As a young child, I would lose myself for hours in the simple world of the wood and pond inhabited by Little Joe Otter, Buster Bear, Grandfather Frog, and terrorized by Farmer Brown's Boy. I can remember the very shelf, even the exact spot in the little library in Felton, CA where these books were kept. I would return practically every week with a new armload to last me until our next trip to the library. Often I would carry out stories that I read several times before, just so I could once again escape into this imaginary world of furry mischief.
I remember these books well in concept, though the specifics of most of the stories elude me. It was easily fifteen years ago when I began reading them and has been over a decade since I last picked up one of Burguess' stories to read it. That being said, this review is being written as a look back.
These stories are very simple and very fun. Of course, they are children's literature, so that's to be expected, but these stories strike me as especially so. Even still, I can remember some fascinating things I gleaned between the their covers.
For one thing, Burgess did a fantastic job of presenting the ideas of persepective and motivation in simplistic terms. For example, "The Adventures of Danny Field Mouse" would cast Old Man Coyote as a vicious, mean creature wishing to prey on Danny and his friends and family. Yet, pick up instead "The Adventures of Old Man Coyote" and you'll see that when the story is told with him as the protagonist, those pesky field mice are annoying and useful for little more than a snack. After reading both books, you're no more inclined to think of Old Man Coyote as a villian than you are to think of Danny Field Mouse as a pest that should be exterminated. (Note: This is a generic example. I do not recall if Old Man Coyote plays a role in Danny Field Mouse's story or the other way around, but this concept was presented several times. It made an impression on me.)
The only characters consistantly presented as antagonists were Farmer Brown and his boy. This would be one of the only things that I chalk up as odd, or maybe just a little "off" in these books. Humans and their influence on nature are presented as a negative influence on nature and animals - always. It's interesting to note though that while humans are seen as a negative, humanity is lauded and held up as virtuous. All of the animals take on not only human personalities but characteristics, traits, and mannerisms. From a frog with a monocle and an otter with a handkerchief tied to a stick, to a busy-body Jay and a reclusive owl who desires only to be left alone, humanity and it's traits keep cropping up.
Which would be another thing of value I feel that I saw in the Burgess books. These stories are full of social interaction and personality conflicts, even if they are charicatured more often than not. We see over and over again a working out of peace, if not harmony, between conflicting personalities. It may not always be easy to point out a scripture to reinforce the lesson implied, but social harmony is presented and more often than not, resolution is through reconciliation, forgiveness, or a similar method that is not only laudable, but distinctly Christian in action if not motivation.
All in all, the world created by Thornton W. Burgess is imaginative, innocent, fun, and educational. My reccomendation? Grab a handful from your local library, gather a group of kids as an excuse, and lose yourselves in childhood imaginations as you read aloud the stories that have captivated several generations of young readers with the antics of our furry, albiet elusively human, friends.
(Disclaimers: As I said, it has been over a decade since I actually read one of Burgess' books. As such, there may be a specific example that's a little off in this review or something that I would have noticed as an adult that my childhood memories are missing. Also, all of these books say I read them in 1998. While I'm certain I read several of them that year, I'm sure I read some before and after that date as well.)
May 22, 2014
My 7 yr old gave these books a 5. I agree. "His books are awesome' she says.I liked the way morals were told in an entertaining way. I bet my daughter didn't feel she was being moralized at because she wanted to hear the whole book. I've tried others that had a distinct 'moral' or 'value' and she hates it.(Books that go ... is thankful or ... learns to be honest. blah.
Burgess books are interesting entertaining and a good read. Hopefully the little lessons learned by the animals were also learned and put away in the back of my daughter's mind!
But if not, that's ok. A book is meant to entertain and if it did that, that works for me.
They are a little 'old-fashioned' meaning the sun is called: Mr. round red jolly sun, the wind is Old Mother West Wind, a breeze is One of Mother West Wind's Children, the Merry Little Breezes etc. Quaint and not exactly science but endearing nonetheless. But other than that these books are science in story form. The stories are about real life things that frogs or bears or skunks do or could do. Unlike most books with animals as main characters where they learn to ride bikes, win the spelling bee at school etc. Beginning animal lore for young children. Or budding animal lovers.
If you miss any of these from your local library they are also on Gutenberg's free books site.
Personally I think that these should be re-released with new covers so kids will read them again.
The books themselves:
Bobby Coon: Poor Bobby awakes from his winter nap to find his tree being chopped down! He is injured in the fall but taken good care of by Farmer Brown' Boy His trial are not yet over. Bobby must find a new home but that is harder than he thinks.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: helping others, not worrying needlessly, losing your temper.
Old Mother West Wind: A group of stories with Mother West Wind or her Little Breezes helping the animals of the Meadow and forest. A couple of 'how the xxx got/ lost zzz' stories also that were quite entertaining.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: vanity, friendship, contentment, helpfulness.
Buster Bear: Buster moves to the Green Woods. This doesn't please the other animals because he takes 'their' fish, and they are frightened of him. But when the animals find out that Farmer Brown's Boy is afraid of Buster, they look at him with new eyes...until they find out the next personality trait Buster shows.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: temper, new friends come to the neighborhood.
Danny Meadow Mouse: Danny gets upset because he has a short tail. He also gets caught by Hooty the Owl, who wants him for dinner.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, anger, envy, kindness, friendship, look before you leap.
Grandfather Frog: He decides it's time for him to see more of the world. A little risk keeps life exciting. He has some exciting adventures before discovering 'there's no place like home'.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, mischieviousness, thoughtlessness, patience.
Old Man Coyote: Something is making a new sound in the Green Meadows/ Green Forest. The animals don't know what it could be. When it is discovered who has moved in, Granny Fox is determined to oust them from HER feeding grounds. Granny is in for a surprise because this stranger isn't easy to fool.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: courage, resisting temptation, good planning
Burgess books are interesting entertaining and a good read. Hopefully the little lessons learned by the animals were also learned and put away in the back of my daughter's mind!
But if not, that's ok. A book is meant to entertain and if it did that, that works for me.
They are a little 'old-fashioned' meaning the sun is called: Mr. round red jolly sun, the wind is Old Mother West Wind, a breeze is One of Mother West Wind's Children, the Merry Little Breezes etc. Quaint and not exactly science but endearing nonetheless. But other than that these books are science in story form. The stories are about real life things that frogs or bears or skunks do or could do. Unlike most books with animals as main characters where they learn to ride bikes, win the spelling bee at school etc. Beginning animal lore for young children. Or budding animal lovers.
If you miss any of these from your local library they are also on Gutenberg's free books site.
Personally I think that these should be re-released with new covers so kids will read them again.
The books themselves:
Bobby Coon: Poor Bobby awakes from his winter nap to find his tree being chopped down! He is injured in the fall but taken good care of by Farmer Brown' Boy His trial are not yet over. Bobby must find a new home but that is harder than he thinks.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: helping others, not worrying needlessly, losing your temper.
Old Mother West Wind: A group of stories with Mother West Wind or her Little Breezes helping the animals of the Meadow and forest. A couple of 'how the xxx got/ lost zzz' stories also that were quite entertaining.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: vanity, friendship, contentment, helpfulness.
Buster Bear: Buster moves to the Green Woods. This doesn't please the other animals because he takes 'their' fish, and they are frightened of him. But when the animals find out that Farmer Brown's Boy is afraid of Buster, they look at him with new eyes...until they find out the next personality trait Buster shows.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: temper, new friends come to the neighborhood.
Danny Meadow Mouse: Danny gets upset because he has a short tail. He also gets caught by Hooty the Owl, who wants him for dinner.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, anger, envy, kindness, friendship, look before you leap.
Grandfather Frog: He decides it's time for him to see more of the world. A little risk keeps life exciting. He has some exciting adventures before discovering 'there's no place like home'.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, mischieviousness, thoughtlessness, patience.
Old Man Coyote: Something is making a new sound in the Green Meadows/ Green Forest. The animals don't know what it could be. When it is discovered who has moved in, Granny Fox is determined to oust them from HER feeding grounds. Granny is in for a surprise because this stranger isn't easy to fool.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: courage, resisting temptation, good planning
October 1, 2016
Bobby Coon, een wasbeertje, doet zijn winterslaap in een oude kastanjeboom, die zijn thuis is. Ineens wordt hij wakker, boer Brown en zijn zoontje zijn de boom aan het omhakken. Als de boom valt, met Bobby erin, breekt hij zijn pootje. Het zoontje van boer Brown neemt hem mee naar huis en verzorgt hem tot hij genezen is. Dan wordt hij terug losgelaten in het bos. Maar nu moet hij op zoek naar een nieuw huis, en dat gaat gepaard met allerlei avonturen.
Leuk boek voor kinderen, dat hen ook nog iets bijbrengt over de Amerikaanse natuur.
Leuk boek voor kinderen, dat hen ook nog iets bijbrengt over de Amerikaanse natuur.
May 27, 2019
I liked at the end because Buster Bear was acting so gentle to Bobby Coon because he was his cousin. And he was the nearest neighbor---Buster Bear was living right next to him in a tiny cave that he can fit in and some dry leaves in it. And he slept there the whole day, until Jolly Red Round Mister Sun was climbing down the Purple Hills, that's when he woke up. And that's all.
July 10, 2008
I read all of the Burgess books because my Dad said he liked them when he was little. My 8 yo. brother really liked them. I wish I would have read them when I was younger, I might have enjoyed it more.
June 27, 2019
My first chapter book ever was a Bedtime Stories from Thornton W. Burgess. So finding this book at a benefit sale was a delight. Even reading it as an adult, I still enjoyed it. The morals in these stories, as told by lovable forest animals, is wonderful. I hope to add more to my library.
May 31, 2023
I read these Adventure books with my 3 and 6 year old and they really love them. They are entertaining enough for me as an adult too. Quick and fun read.
September 25, 2025
So glad OKC bought these Dover editions. Young me would have adored them - I always liked learning about nature and science, and about human nature, too. Some readers nowadays might think them a little quaint, maybe even a little preachy, but I strongly believe there's enough of an audience to keep them in print.
They're probably work great as a family read aloud. The adult could skip some of the 'yes indeed he sure did that' clauses if they find them bothersome or twee. Otherwise, they're beautifully written. I wish I had time for the whole set.
This one is about overcoming *major* adversity, and rethinking others' perspectives & motivations.
"He didn't know [the humans], and so he felt both helpless and hopeless, and this is a very dreadful feeling indeed."
"'It's funny how you'll often find/ That trouble's mostly in your mind.'
"It's a fact. More than 3 fourths of the troubles that worry people are not real troubles at all. They are all in the mind. They are things that people are afraid are going to happen come and worry about until they are sure they will happen, - and then they do not happen at all. Very, very often things that seem bad turn out to be blessings. All of us do a great deal of worrying for nothing. I know I do."
"Kindness had driven out fear from Bobby's mind, and in its place had come trust. It will do it every time, if given a chance."
"It is bad enough to find out for yourself that you have made a mistake, but to have other people know it makes you feel a great deal worse. So the kindest thing that anyone can do when they know a friend has made a mistake and it is too late to warn them, is to appear not to know of it at all."
They're probably work great as a family read aloud. The adult could skip some of the 'yes indeed he sure did that' clauses if they find them bothersome or twee. Otherwise, they're beautifully written. I wish I had time for the whole set.
This one is about overcoming *major* adversity, and rethinking others' perspectives & motivations.
"He didn't know [the humans], and so he felt both helpless and hopeless, and this is a very dreadful feeling indeed."
"'It's funny how you'll often find/ That trouble's mostly in your mind.'
"It's a fact. More than 3 fourths of the troubles that worry people are not real troubles at all. They are all in the mind. They are things that people are afraid are going to happen come and worry about until they are sure they will happen, - and then they do not happen at all. Very, very often things that seem bad turn out to be blessings. All of us do a great deal of worrying for nothing. I know I do."
"Kindness had driven out fear from Bobby's mind, and in its place had come trust. It will do it every time, if given a chance."
"It is bad enough to find out for yourself that you have made a mistake, but to have other people know it makes you feel a great deal worse. So the kindest thing that anyone can do when they know a friend has made a mistake and it is too late to warn them, is to appear not to know of it at all."
August 9, 2021
This book is brilliant! The narrator's voice is so gentle and kind, talking straight to children to comment on and explain some details that may be too old or too harsh for their sweet minds. The morals are clear. The language is simple and sweet. The emotions are vivid, strong, and relatable.
It's definitely a book I would read to my own children. There were plenty of moments when I felt I could just melt into a puddle of warm and fuzzy emotions.
It's definitely a book I would read to my own children. There were plenty of moments when I felt I could just melt into a puddle of warm and fuzzy emotions.
June 27, 2025
The Thornton Burgess series in general is quite an endearing series of children's books, which do a fine job of being readable by young readers and having interesting plots and introducing young people to a variety of animals in a semi-anthropomorphized way. This particular entry, "The Adventures of Bobby Raccoon" is one of the best of the lot, and it's a delightful read for a youngster, or for an older person who is willing to be a child again for the hour or so that it would take to read it.
February 22, 2019
Yay! Back to a good Burgess story. This one was a favorite. Farmer Brown's boy got to help Bobby and that was fun.
April 30, 2021
I really wanted Bobby Raccoon to be able to take a nap
March 27, 2023
Wonderful story about life and wildlife.
February 5, 2026
My daughter loves this whole series so far. Wholesome and good for younger kids.
June 7, 2025
This is the first Thornton Burgess book read aloud to my 4 year-old, chosen at random. She liked it very much.
I was a little surprised she didn't have any trouble with it. There are factors that would have distressed my other sensitive children at the same age; namely, Bobby's home (a tree) is chopped down, he breaks his leg when it topples, he fights and bites, he goes around trying to push other animals out of their homes so he can move in, a bear chases him and tries very hard to catch him and eat him, etc. This child was apparently unbothered and went on to immediately request starting another Thornton Burgess at the close of this one.
I was a little surprised she didn't have any trouble with it. There are factors that would have distressed my other sensitive children at the same age; namely, Bobby's home (a tree) is chopped down, he breaks his leg when it topples, he fights and bites, he goes around trying to push other animals out of their homes so he can move in, a bear chases him and tries very hard to catch him and eat him, etc. This child was apparently unbothered and went on to immediately request starting another Thornton Burgess at the close of this one.
March 13, 2024
The Adventures of Bobby Coon is the 17th book of the Bedtime Story Books collection written by the conservationist author Thornton W. Burgess and whimsically illustrated by Harrison Cady. Growing up, I loved these books: first, because Dad used to read these books at bedtime to my brother and I; second, because now that my brother has passed on, the nostalgia connects the three of us in a way that nothing else does.
Here, Bobby Coon is hibernating when bad dreams startle him awake. He was dreaming that a giant was chopping down the tree that serves as his home. As he wakes, he realizes that the dream was not far off. Farmer Brown's boy is chopping down his tree. Apparently it's dead, and he is chopping it down before it falls and potentially kills one of the other woodland creatures, He is trying to serve the animals of the Green Forest a good, while unknowingly doing an ill to Bobby Coon.
In this novel the reader finds out many good things about Farmer Brown's boy. In the earlier books, Farmer Brown and his son are portrayed as hunters with predatory ideas about the animals that inhabit the Green Meadow, the Smiling Pool, and all of the other wonderful places in this milieu. However, over the course of the latter books, the human characters have provided shelter and comfort to the animals that exist on their property.
As an example, when the tree is chopped down and Bobby Coon falls out of the tree, before Bowser the Hound can snatch up the raccoon, Farmer Brown's boy behaves with alacrity like a conservationist and takes Bobby Coon to his home because he notices that Bobby Coon has an injured leg. I think Burgess is communicating the idea that when nature is observed, there is a pedagogical possibility. Farmer Brown's son has learned how to behave toward nature that is less predatory and more environmentalist.
This story is really good.
Here, Bobby Coon is hibernating when bad dreams startle him awake. He was dreaming that a giant was chopping down the tree that serves as his home. As he wakes, he realizes that the dream was not far off. Farmer Brown's boy is chopping down his tree. Apparently it's dead, and he is chopping it down before it falls and potentially kills one of the other woodland creatures, He is trying to serve the animals of the Green Forest a good, while unknowingly doing an ill to Bobby Coon.
In this novel the reader finds out many good things about Farmer Brown's boy. In the earlier books, Farmer Brown and his son are portrayed as hunters with predatory ideas about the animals that inhabit the Green Meadow, the Smiling Pool, and all of the other wonderful places in this milieu. However, over the course of the latter books, the human characters have provided shelter and comfort to the animals that exist on their property.
As an example, when the tree is chopped down and Bobby Coon falls out of the tree, before Bowser the Hound can snatch up the raccoon, Farmer Brown's boy behaves with alacrity like a conservationist and takes Bobby Coon to his home because he notices that Bobby Coon has an injured leg. I think Burgess is communicating the idea that when nature is observed, there is a pedagogical possibility. Farmer Brown's son has learned how to behave toward nature that is less predatory and more environmentalist.
This story is really good.
December 16, 2018
When I was in Jr. High we had a raccoon. My dad found an injured, baby raccoon with no mama in sight and brought it home. He took care of it and it grew strong and healthy. We would feed the raccoon and it would sit on our shoulders or come when we called it. Soon, however, it was time for this little guy to go back to living like a raccoon (instead of a masked house cat). Well, my dad knew he couldn't just release him-- he had no true survival skills and no healthy fear of humans. What to do? Well, luckily a few years before this we had a falcon. This falcon had an injured wing and we didn't know if it would survive. My dad, like Farmer Brown's son, brought the bird home, set up a big pen in the cellar, and nursed it back to health. This falcon was loud, raucous, and generally not very happy to be in our cellar. When it healed, it still couldn't fly properly. My dad knew that he couldn't release the bird or it would die. So he called Laughing Brook. Yep, the Laughing Brook of Thornton Burgess fame. Located in the town of Hampden, Massachusetts, right next to Springfield, MA where we lived. They took in the falcon, since they had a bird sanctuary. I remember going to visit "our bird" later that summer, and seeing all the other injured and abandoned birds. So anyway, when it came time to release the raccoon, he knew just who to call. I remember that the raccoon was harder to place than the bird, but they did agree to take him in the end. So, for obvious reasons, The Adventures of Bobby Coon is a book near and dear to my heart.
August 16, 2020
3 stars & 3/10 hearts. I remember quite enjoying of this book when I was young, and I still am fond of it. There’s a handful of mentions of “Mother Nature,” but otherwise it’s a really nice little read and probably one of my favourite Burgess books.
A Favourite Quote: “‘It’s funny how you’ll often find / That trouble’s mostly in your mind.[’] More than three fourths of the troubles that worry people are not real troubles at all. They are all in the mind. They are things that people are afraid are going to happen, and worry about until they are sure they will happen,—and then they do not happen at all.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Come out and shake hands. Don’t be so bashful. I won’t hurt you.’
“‘Do you really mean that, Cousin Buster?’ [Bobby] asked in a faint voice.
“‘Certainly I mean it. Of course. Why not? I usually mean what I say,’ grumbled Buster Bear.
“‘That’s just the trouble,’ replied Bobby timidly. ‘Just a little while ago you tried to catch me and said that you would eat me, and I thought you meant it.’”
A Favourite Quote: “‘It’s funny how you’ll often find / That trouble’s mostly in your mind.[’] More than three fourths of the troubles that worry people are not real troubles at all. They are all in the mind. They are things that people are afraid are going to happen, and worry about until they are sure they will happen,—and then they do not happen at all.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Come out and shake hands. Don’t be so bashful. I won’t hurt you.’
“‘Do you really mean that, Cousin Buster?’ [Bobby] asked in a faint voice.
“‘Certainly I mean it. Of course. Why not? I usually mean what I say,’ grumbled Buster Bear.
“‘That’s just the trouble,’ replied Bobby timidly. ‘Just a little while ago you tried to catch me and said that you would eat me, and I thought you meant it.’”
October 28, 2014
I liked it. He had to move cause in the beginning of the book was chopped down by farmer brown's boy Half the book is leg is broken and he's in the house getting helped. Then he moves and he's a cousin to Buster Bear and Buster Bear tries to eat Bobby Raccoon and then Bobby moves next door to Buster Bear on accident.
April 27, 2020
Burgess continues to delight with The Adventures of Bobby Raccoon, one of his "Adventures of" series featuring the antics of the animals who live in the Green Wood who, in the slightly paraphrased words of Jane Austen, provide sport for their neighbors, and try to avoid being eaten in their turn.
April 21, 2015
Bobby coon was panicked and in a series of dreadful situations all the time. I liked the book.
March 21, 2016
The kids really enjoyed it. I wasn't that engaged. Good for Science for little ones. And Intro to Nature Study. Lots of really good info in story form is invaluable.
November 28, 2017
Great bedtime story series.
October 21, 2019
This is one of several Thornton W. Burgess books that I remember my dad reading to me and my sister when we were little. Loved them. Later read it on my own.
January 21, 2024
Liked it better than Paddy Beaver. Very cute story.
March 21, 2024
Thornton Burgess stories have been some of the best stories to read with my boys! They all three love them!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews