Little masked raccoons appeal to children. They find them both comical and endearing. This little raccoon, who can be counted on for nothing and is not at all trustworthy, is sure to help them learn and remember the important character trait of trustworthiness.

Children ages 3 to 8 respond to Ricky Raccoon by:

• understanding clearly the meaning of that big word: trustworthiness.
• singing the Trustworthiness Song with him while they play.
• knowing that others count on them for a number of things.
• beginning to earn belief by being totally honest.
• beginning to earn trust by being "whole" from the inside out.
• ceasing to let others down as they learn to be reliable.
• learning to be loyal to those who deserve their loyalty.
• determining to build trustworthiness as Ricky Raccoon did.
• getting excited about your classroom activities, crafts, and skits.

Elementary readers enrich their vocabulary as they tackle words like "trustworthiness" and "trustworthy". You will be amazed at how they love to let such big words roll off of their tongues. They learn, too, how adjectives enrich a story and help others visualize what's happening.

Preschool children will laugh at Ricky popping up out of his hollow stump, but they will become serious when Ricky's other antics are told. They will be especially serious as Ricky waits for The Elder One to explain trustworthiness to him.

Both preschool and early elementary children will love the Ricky Puppet craft — and the kinesthetic use of the puppet will help them remember your lessons on trustworthiness. Of course, you will want to further reinforce the story's lesson with plays that allow children to act out the raccoon parts, and with take-home reminders, as well as other craft projects.

Read a sample page. We know you will want to read the rest — and you'll want to use this enchanting book to teach your children the importance of trustworthiness.

NOTE: These lesson plans are based on the book "Ricky Raccoon's Trustworthiness Tree".

Soft-Cover Book: $9.95  Downloadable Lesson Plans: $14.95  Soft-Cover Book PLUS Lesson Plans: $24.90