Little Raccoon's Big Question

by Miriam Schlein, Ian Schoenherr (Illustrator)

Little Raccoon has a question.It is a question for his mother.

"When do you love me most of all?" he asks.

Of course, one question leads to another.

"Is it when I wake up?"

And another.

"Is it when I play in the trees?"

And another and another and another.

Little Raccoon has lots of questions.

How many answers does his mother have?

Just one.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Family, Love, Childrens, Storytime, Kids

Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Miriam Schlein was an American author who wrote nearly 100 books that helped teach children about animals and more obscure ideas such as space and time. Her books include The Year of the Panda and Discovering Dinosaur Babies. Schlein died of vasculitis in Manhattan, New York, at age 78, in 2004.

Reviews

[Villain E]

Good concept, but some of the word choice doesn't work for me. Baby raccoon asks his mother "When do you love me the most?" Then he procedes to suggest specific times, and the mother always answers "No, that's not when I love you the most." It's too negative, like she's saying she doesn't love him at all. Finally, at bedtime, he asks, "Is now when you love me the most?" and she says "Yes." I'm thinking, bedtime is when she loves him the most? Because he's going to go to sleep and stop asking questions? No, it's because, whenever "now" is, "Now is when I love you most." It's a good sentiment, obviously. I'm just too cynical for this book.

[Edward Creter]

Little Raccoon has issues! He needs to know when his mom most loves him to death. Can his mom let him know that love has no set time limit? That love HAS no limits at all? I love this one and hope kids will catch onto its heartfelt message.

[Melanie Clure]

This book is about a little raccoon who wants to know when it is his mother loves him the most. He tries to think of all the times that she might love him the most from when he is clean, when he is good, and when he is tired. But at the end of the book the mother reveals that there is no special time to love him the most, because she loves him the most all of the time. This book has such a cute storyline and I love the meaning behind it, plus the little raccoon is the cutest thing I have ever seen! This book could be good for a fun interactive read aloud in the classroom, or to just read to little ones at home if you have them. The only reason I gave it a 4/5 is that it might be a little hard to work into a lesson plan, like I said it would just have to be a "for fun" thing rather than a learning experience- but would be great when you have a younger class learning to read.

[Sydney Roach]

Schlein’s book portrays a little raccoon in search of when his mother loves him the most. They go throughout their everyday activities, and along every step, the little raccoon asks his mother the big question. At the end of the book, the little raccoon finally receives the answer he is looking for. The theme of the book is that parents, grandparents, or guardians ALWAYS love their children. I thought the book was charming, and I loved the cute little raccoon. I would use this book in the classroom on a unit about worth or love.

[Villa Park Public Library]

Cozy up with little raccoon and his mom to discover a great big truth about love. This warm, delightful tale teaches us that a mother’s love knows no bounds.

Check out this book at Villa Park Public Library!

[Abigail Breaux]

Little raccoon has a big question for his mother. He wants to know when it is that she loves him the most. Raccoon questions his mom all day about if it was the time, but she always says no. Turns out, Raccoon's mother loves him all the time. This was a sweet lighthearted story that I feel would make a great bedtime story. It shows that the love of a mother is limitless and everlasting. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Joan]

Little Raccoon asks his mother a question. And, of course, one question leads to another. And another. And another.
Little Raccoon has many, many questions.
But his mother has only one answer. What is it?

A picture book for ages four and up, the delightful illustrations and the enchanting narrative will make this a favorite of both parents and children.

Recommended.

[Natalie]

Loved this book! Little Raccoon asks Mom when she loves him most. So cute and endearing.

[Jennifer]

Sweet story about a parent's love for their child with wonderful illustrations. This makes a great read aloud for a story time about animals, bedtime, questions, raccoons, mothers, or families.

[IvyInThePages]

Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yes

[Christina]

Little Raccoon's Big Question, by Miriam Schlein, is a warm and loving book for young readers. The story is about little raccoon asking his mother when she loves him the most. The book expresses the unconditional love a mother has for her child. The story is filled with descriptive language that young readers can relate to.

I would recommend this story to any mother wanting to read a touching novel to their child. It is a book with many pictures and forms of expression. It is a very relateable story that a mother and her child would enjoy reading together.

[Slayermel]

This is a very sweet story of a little Raccoon trying to find out when his Mother loves him best. Little Raccoon goes through several parts of the day where he thinks his mom would be very pleased with him and love him best, and every time when he asks her if that was it, she says No, that's not when she loves him best. Raccoon eventually runs out of ideas and asks his mom to tell him when she loves him best. Her answer is just too perfect. :0)

[Kalynda]

This is one of those books you buy those that have young children, because it is the perfect parent-child story. Little Raccoon is trying so hard to figure out when his mom loves him the most, and goes through a series of brainstorming and questioning to find the answer. When we finally gets the answer, it is just perfect.

[Robin]

One of the sweetest picture books I've read. In it, a little raccoon asks his mother when she loves him most, assuming it must be when he shows strength, skill or good behavior. When does she love him most, though? Now -- in other words, always. Adorable.

[Jami]

My daughters enjoyed the book but didn't really get too involved as they do with other books. Beautiful artwork - a quick read.

[Datoria]

easy reader. Good for prediction and repetition.

[Erroll Treslan]

A good way to teach zen to toddlers: "It's always right now". This is a great bedtime story.

[Amy]

Super sweet book with great illustrations. When do you love me, mom? All the time! Duh! Heartwarming raccoon kisses abound!

[Becky B]

A cute picture book about a young raccoon who wants to know when his mommy loves him best. He asks if it is when he plays, when he swims, etc. She tells him it is right now, which means always.

[Ashley Wesner]

Adorable story of a little raccoon wondering how much his mother loves him.

[Avaj]

What a great book to read to your children or students. I love this book and it will definitely be added to my home bookshelf to share with my family.

[Jennifer]

What masterfully goreous illustrations!

[Cordellya Smith]

My seven year old loved the story and the illustrations in this book. The message, which is that parents love their children always, comes through clearly. Beautiful story!

[Theresa]

Little raccoon's big question by miriam schlein is a cute story about questions and learning how to find out the answers

[Bear]

Delightful illustrations...to say nothing of his pajamas!

[Ashlee Tominey]

My sister-in-law gave us this book. It is a current bedtime favorite and I look forward to reading and snuggling each night. Little Raccoon is so adorable and the book is fun to read.

[Joan]

cute

[Betsy Caroline Hahn]

Little Raccoon is about to getting ready for bed when he begins to ask his mother questions. All his questions lead with, "Do you love me most when...". At the end of the book his mother tells him that there is not specific time when she loves him, because she loves him all the time.
This is a very cute and sweet read for a younger audience. Although this is used as a mother saying these things, I think it would be interesting to use this as God's love. Yes, in most public schools you can't talk about religion but, if you have the chance I think this would be a different interpretation of the book.