Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover by Audrey Penn is another wonderful addition to this serie. I have two elementary aged children who have always had some anxiety at times of transition. The Kissing Hand was such a perfect book to read with them when they were starting school and we were excited to see this new one to add to our collection. Penn does a wonderful job of covering stressful situation in such a loving and positive way. I love how she is always able to acknowledge what the characters are going through, which is so important when children are feeling stressed. She is able to make kids feel understood for what they are feeling and also learn coping skills for handling things in the future. I love that when Chester did not feel like he could stay overnight he was greeted back at home with love and the idea that he could try again when he was feeling ready. I am so appreciative of the opportunity to give an honest review of this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Tanglewood Publishing for the ARC.

Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover by Audrey Penn is another delightful edition to the beloved series.

I am a huge fan of Chester and have read other books as well.
This time Chester is going to Pepper Opossum's house for his first sleepover together with some other friends. They play games, have snacks and enjoy themselves immensely until it's time for bed. All other animals fall asleep but Chester is sad and misses his mother, his little brother and his bed.
I love these books because they deal with situations children go through and explain feeling in such a charming and lovable way.
I especially like illustrations, animals are adorable, their expressions so expressive with lots of details both my children and I enjoy these books so much.
This is a fabulous series and a must have in every child's library.

I would like to say first of all that the illustrations on this book are so well detailed you feel like the characters and places are real. The book itself was such a postive message to children. Chester goes on his first (overday) sleepover. His Mom gives him a kiss and hug and he is on his way. He has fun all day with his friends, Pepper Opossum (whose sleepover it is), Sassafrass Skunk (the humor in the book), Cassie Racoon, Amber Porcupine, Stanley Squirrel and Badger Badger. I found it clever on the use of how they made the darts to play. Bedtime comes and Chester gets homesick for Mom. I thought that not making him feel bad and the way it was done was a postive and supportive step. This book is good for 5+, and great to read if your child is going on a sleepover. I wish I had it for my Granddaughter on her first one away from home. I am looking forward to more adventures with Chester and his friends.

I have always loved these books and little Chester. The skunk is what really makes this one the kids favorite at storytimes though. They think it is so funny when she stinky puffs. Thanks for another great Chester adventure!

Who doesn't love Chester Raccoon? I know Kindergarten is smitten with him and they will love this adventure of Chesters too. Chester books always tackle topics that children often have a hard time feeling and expressing. Chester is going to his first sleepover and things are going great until he realizes that he can't sleep until he is back in his own hollow with mama...

Beautifully and lovingly written and illustrated! Big thumbs up for Chester!

Thank you to Net Galley and Tanglewood Publishing for the advance copy!

❤️❤️❤️ CHESTER RACCOON AND THE ALMOST PERFECT SLEEPOVER! The illustrations and story are beyond cute, as we find Chester super excited about his first sleepover. His Mom sees him off with a “Kissing Hand” in his palm. At first, he and his buddies have a blast playing and chowing down on snacks. But when it comes time to sleep, Chester just can’t. He’s scared, he’s not in his own bed and he misses his Mommy. He returns home, where Mrs. Raccoon reassures him that all is well and that home is always there when he needs it. A sweet book to help young readers prepare for their own sleepovers. 5/5

Pub Date 16 May 2017

Thanks to Tanglewood Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#ChesterRaccoonAndTheAlmostPerfdctSleepover #NetGalley

Kids that loved the previous Chester Raccoon's are sure to love this new installment. It's a gentle read for kids that just want a slice of anthropomorphic life.

This was my first encounter with a "Chester Raccoon" book and I'm absolutely charmed. I always applaud the choice to write a children's book about animals: firstly, because it can subtly teach kids to care for their furry friends, secondly, it is easier (and more fun) to convey an educational message this way. Aesop's fables are well-known for a reason, and it's lovely to see that modern writers follow his footsteps.

This book is full of positivy. The story follows Chester as he visits his friend, Pepper Opossum, and spends a day playing with his buddies. They engage in games kids usually tend to like, for example "follow the leader." Everyone has his own identity and personality, and I think that it serves to show the young readers of the book how differences aren't an obstacle when forming friendship. I'd like to highlight the skunk and his "stinky puffs" - they are not only adorable and funny, but children can also learn about how skunks function. ;)

When the time to go to bed arrives, Chester starts to miss his mom and brother Ronny. As much as he enjoyed the day, he longs to be back at hom with his family. Now, I'm sure many young children can relate to this feeling, and this book shows them that there is nothing to be ashamed about when you're feeling homesick. Chester is not humiliated for longing for his safe place, but he is very kindly accompanied home where he finally can go to sleep in peace.

The illustration of the volume is also breath-taking, the artist paid attention to the tiniest of details: the animals are portrayed with an accuracy as to their anatomy, their fur seems so soft one has the urge to stroke them, and they are so smiley and adorable that one cannot help smiling in return.

I hope to have the chance to read more books from this series, and I'll keep them in mind if I have to look for a gift for a young kid. Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover is the cutest thing I have seen in a long while.

If you love the Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, you will love Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover. Such a sweet story about first sleepovers and missing home and family. Many children and parents will be able to relate to this story, Definitely a must have for libraries with children's sections, elementary and preschool classrooms and families with young children.

Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover (The Kissing Hand Series)
by Audrey Penn
This is a good book to add to the Chester Raccoon collection for younger readers. The Idea that a sleepover is exploring different things that another family knows, and what they do, but sometimes no mater what the fun, we all want to be home.

I adore The Kissing Hand and love reading it to my children! I believe it expresses a mother's love in a beautiful way, and my son kept wanting to try it for himself! (For those of you unfamiliar with the story, the mother raccoon kisses her son's hand so he always has her love with him. If he feels sad, he just has to press that hand to his cheek to be reminded of his mother.)

Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover was another wonderful story that we've already read more than once. Instead of starting school like in the previous book, he's going on his very first sleepover (which is during the day, because raccoons). We get to see him playing games with his friends and being excited about the idea of staying somewhere else.

However, once it's time to sleep, Chester finds himself missing his mother and even his sibling. It's a story that shows children it's okay to have new experiences, but it's also normal to want what is familiar. He isn't picked on for his decision, but welcomed home with loving, open arms. I highly recommend any of Audrey Penn's books for children.

I've recently read The Kissing Hand for the first time, and simply fell in love with it, so naturally I was excited to see this book on NetGalley. As expected, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt like it would be the perfect book to read to your children when they get to the age of going for their first sleepover. I loved that the story included all the fun things that can happen on a sleepover (games, meal time, bunking with friends) but also shows how your first sleepover can be a little scary. The illustrations were stunning, and realistic. All in all, I think I'll be buying this one as a set with The Kissing Hand every time I'm giving it as a gift.

I have received a much appreciated digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Cute, cute, cute! A great story from Chester and his friends. I love these books and look forward to more stories. It is a wonderful book and characters adorable -- special way of providing messages to kids, such as introducing sleepovers and it is OK to miss your own room even when visiting and having fun with family and friends.

Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover by Audrey Penn is a great reminder of what fun you can have with friends. It also helps you know that you’ll be with your family again very soon and your separation is not permanent. After reading this one, we never think of being nervous, giggling, and being sleepy the same again. You’ll understand what we mean if you read it yourself. The illustrations were VERY inviting, adorable, and detailed. This is a great read-aloud that your children will want you to read over and over!
I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Another really good story about Chester raccoon. I would definitely recommend this book to caregivers with kids that are at the age of first sleepovers. Great advice

Another great story as told by Audrey Penn. This time Chester Raccoon is invited to his very first sleepover (or overday as described in the book). Naturally, Chester is having a fun time with his friends during the day. However, when night falls, Chester becomes nervous and scared and wants to go home. What I love about Penn's books is that they demonstrate for young kids it's OK to be nervous, anxious or scared, but it will be OK.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tanglewood Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover by Audrey Penn. Chester spends the day with a group of friends. When it's time for bed, Chester can't sleep. He ends up going home and falls asleep contentedly. The story is cute and happy with some humor also. 4 stars for this addition to the story of Chester Raccoon.

I love Chester Raccoon. Ever since reading The Kissing hand to my daughter on her Kindergarten Entry day that book has stuck with me. I adored this book as much as the first. Anyone who has themselves or a child that's ever had a sleepover and been anxious, will relate. I WAS Chester Raccoon when I was younger. Perfectly fine until it came time to sleep, always the last one to fall asleep (If I did) or ended up going home because I was so homesick. This is a cute story and tugged on my heart strings.

Art: very detailed (texture fur, bugs as something they eat)
Story: Realistic in terms of what the animals eat (I don’t know if this can be attributed to artist or writer) and it just was a fun adventure in these characters lives.

Chester Raccoon is excited about attending his first overday (a sleep over for nocturnal animals). His mother gives him their traditional kiss and off he goes. He has fun with his other friends, and they have a busy time. Chester is a gracious guest, even helping his host. His good manners are subtly done, mostly, and provides a gentle lesson to readers. After a delightful, and sometimes stinky day due to a skunk who stinky puffs easily, with his friends, Chester tries to settle down for a good day's rest but finds he's homesick and goes home early.

"Chester Raccoon and the Almost Perfect Sleepover" offers humor, delightful illustrations, and a sweet but overly long story about a fear faced by many children. The author spent too much time detailing everything they did and ate during the sleepover, it got a bit tedious. But the message of missing family and being afraid is nicely done. There's no shaming, no fussing, just simple acceptance of and respect for Chester's feelings. I can get behind that message. This book would work for older 3 year olds, on up.