ARE YOU LISTENING? FRANCINE POULET MEETS THE GHOST RACCOON: A PREVIEW

WELCOME TO BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S" 
ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY" 
I AM EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU ABOUT 
THIS RECENT AUDIO BOOK I RECEIVED

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FRANCINE POULET MEETS
THE GHOST RACCOON

READ BY KATHLEEN McINERNEY

BY KATE DICAMILLO

ABOUT THE AUDIO BOOK:

Deckawoo Drive’s intrepid Animal Control Officer meets her match—or does she? A funny, heartfelt, and fast-paced romp from the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

Francine Poulet is the greatest Animal Control Officer in Gizzford County. She hails from a long line of Animal Control Officers. She’s battled snakes, outwitted squirrels, and stared down a bear. “The genuine article,” Francine’s dad always called her. She is never scared—until, that is, she’s faced with a screaming raccoon that may or may not be a ghost. Maybe Francine isn’t cut out to be an Animal Control Officer after all! But the raccoon is still on the loose, and the folks on Deckawoo Drive need Francine back. Can she face her fears, round up the raccoon, and return to the ranks of Animal Control? Join a cast of familiar characters—Frank, Stella, Mrs. Watson, and Mercy the porcine wonder—for some riotous raccoon wrangling on Deckawoo Drive.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kate DiCamillo is the author of Because of Winn-Dixie (a Newbery Honor book), The Tiger Rising (a National Book Award finalist), and The Tale of Despereaux (Newbery Medal Winner). She has recently completed a series of early chapter books about a pig named Mercy Watson. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was the winner of the Boston Globe Horn Book Award. Kate lives and writes in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but she spent much of her childhood in Florida.

SOME OTHER BOOKS BY KATE DICAMILLO:

                    

                 

                   

 PRAISE FOR KATE DiCAMILLO:

Fans of Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (2014) will relish this new tale, which successfully expands the core of the Mercy Watson series while offering generous cameos from the original characters, as well as much buttered toast. No one offers early readers better quality prose than DiCamillo, who never allows the constrictions of this format to deter her from excellent writing: “Franny, you are the genuine article. You are solid. You are certain. You are like a refrigerator. You hum.” Series illustrator Van Dusen’s artwork (not seen in final form) is a treat, as always, reflecting the quirkiness of DiCamillo’s unique cast of characters. Francine Poulet will wrangle readers’ hearts along with rascally wildlife in this standout early chapter book.—Booklist (starred review)

New readers ready for a challenge and some laughs will welcome more characters from Deckawoo Drive.—Kirkus Reviews

Like Leroy Ninker Saddles Up, it’s a witty yet tender reminder of the importance of being one’s best self. You do you, Francine.—Publishers Weekly

With plenty of white space and a large font the title is tailor-made for young readers transitioning to chapter books and will be enjoyed by “Mercy Watson” (Candlewick) fans and new readers alike…A worthy addition to the series.—School Library Journal

The wacky plot comes smartly together with humorous insights and lively illustrations. Familiar characters, including Frank and Stella, the Lincoln sisters, and Mrs. Watson, lead the story to its climax on Deckawoo Drive, resulting in the raccoon’s capture, the restoration of Francine’s self-esteem, and lots of toast.—The Horn Book

MY THOUGHTS:
I have not gotten to this Kate DiCamillo book sent to me from the fine folks at Penguin Random House Audio Books and friend there Richard, as yet. However, I will tell you that I believe I have read all of her other books and never came away unhappy. To that, I will add that DiCamillo's THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TOULANE is one of my top 5 books ever! After you get a chance to read this new one, do yourself a favor and get a copy of THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TOULANE. When I first got a copy and read it to my 4th graders, they hung on every word and hated when I had to stop reading each day, begging for more. When we finished, they asked me to read it again, and we did. Ever since, it is a book I share with others as gifts and I am SO looking forward to reading it to my grandchildren. The 5-year-old is almost old enough but I want him to be a little older so he can enjoy it the way it is meant to be. Now that I have gone on about Edward Toulane, I shall have to find a spot in my "To Be Listened To" for this new one that looks like lots of fun! Thank you, Richard!