RACCOON'S LAST RACE by Joseph and James Bruchac

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac. 2004. Raccoon’s Last Race. Ill. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803729774.



PLOT SUMMARY

In this story from the oral traditions of the Native Americans, father and son Bruchac explain why the raccoons have short legs. The book tells that long time ago, Raccoon looks different then the way he does now. He has long legs and he is the fastest of all the animals. Azban always challenges other animals to run races and always wins, however, he taunts and tricks them. Soon no one likes to race him and Azban decides to push a boulder down a hill and race Big Rock. When the rock flattens the raccoon, only the ants offer to help the misshapen Azban. He makes a deal with the ants but is he going to keep his promise?


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

As a typical pourquoi tale, Raccoon’s Last Race explains the phenomena of nature – why things are the way they are – although the explanations are not scientifically true. This Abenaki story, retold by Joseph and James Bruchak, carries significant elements of traditional Native American tales. The story of Azban the Raccoon is also a cautionary tale; while it illustrates the results of bad behavior, it teaches a lesson and shares moral values with the readers. In the Authors’s Notes, Bruchac explains that the Abenaki have a strong tradition of using stories rather than physical punishment as a means of disciplining children. The humanization of animals and elements are another definite marker of the Native American culture.

The story of Azban is simple and relatively short and illustrations fill in for the untold words. The lively, bright pictures, done in pen-and-ink, gouache, and pastel, add animation and action to this book. Colorful illustrations bring life, character, and personality to all of the animals. The art of Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey help tell the story in a humorous way and blend well with the witty writing. The animal characters faces are shown with expression and even the big boulder has personality.
This traditional tale underscores the importance of both humility and being sensitive to others' feelings, encourages friendship and loyalty, and warns against conceitedness.



REVIEW EXCERPTS

KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Azban the Raccoon is a favorite Abenaki trickster and this father-and-son storytelling pair creates a lively, clever, and authentic version of his story…”

HORN BOOK: "This pourquoi tale is alive with sound, and the illustrations humorously convey the animals' irritation and Azban's arrogance."

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: "Father and son writing team Joseph and James Bruchac return with their third folktale, Raccoon's Last Race, illus. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. Here, long-limbed, speedy raccoon taunts his rivals as he easily outruns them. But when he has an accident, he gets his just deserts because of his ungracious nature.”, starred review, August 2006 review, August 2006



CONNECTIONS

• After being introduced to pourquoi tales, students may try to find an imaginative explanation for phenomenon in nature (e.g. why oceans have waves). Or, they may read more pourquoi tales and brainstorm other imaginative explanations for the natural occurrence:
Dayrell, Elphinstone. Why the sun and the moon live in the sky: an African folktale. ISBN 9780395296097
Aardema, Verna. Why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears: a West African tale. ISBN 0758700814

• Introduce other books by the same author:
Bruchac, Joseph. How Chipmunk got his stripes: a tale of bragging and teasing. ISBN 0803724047
Bruchac, Joseph. The great ball game: a Muskogee story. ISBN: 0803715404