The Raccoon and the Bee Tree (Prairie Tale Series)
Prairie Tale Series
What’s inside...
In southeastern South Dakota, wild animals begin to stir as day turns to dusk. A curious raccoon emerges from his bed and starts hunting for food. Tempted by sticky honey oozing from a bee's nest, the little raccoon finds trouble he did not bargain for. The Raccoon and the Bee Tree combines an old American Indian tale written down by Charles Eastman and Elaine Goodale Eastman with a traditional European fable. Written one hundred years ago, The Raccoon and the Bee Tree has a lesson for children that is still important and relevant in today's modern society.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
44 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the raccoon felt when he found the bee tree?
Why is it important to share with others, like the racoon shared the honey?
How do you think the other animals felt about the raccoon’s discovery?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as the raccoon?
What did you learn about bees and their importance in nature from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the raccoon’s shoes, fostering empathy and understanding of the character's decisions.
Discuss the significance of teamwork and sharing, drawing parallels to real-life situations in your child’s experiences.
Ask your child to think about and share what they would do differently if they were one of the characters, promoting critical thinking.
Relate the story to natural science by discussing the role of bees in our ecosystem, enhancing educational value.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The story highlights how different characters, the raccoon, and the bees, must collaborate to achieve common goals. The racoon wants the honey, and the bees need to protect their hive, which leads to innovative solutions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of working together with others, even those who are different from them, to solve problems or achieve objectives in school projects or sports teams.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist faces various challenges that require critical thinking and creativity to overcome, such as reaching the high beehive.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and creatively when faced with obstacles, whether it’s a challenging homework assignment or a personal goal.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: The narrative gently educates about the lives of raccoons and bees, emphasizing a respectful coexistence with nature.
Real-World Application: Kids are taught to appreciate and care for their natural surroundings and the creatures within it, fostering environmental consciousness from a young age.
Example Lesson: Persistence and Resilience
Explanation: The raccoon encounters setbacks in his pursuit of honey but remains determined and tries different strategies.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persistence in achieving goals despite difficulties, applicable in learning new skills or sports.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The story conveys that actions have consequences, as seen when the raccoon’s actions lead to various reactions from the bees.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that their actions affect others and encourages them to think before acting, whether at home, school, or in relationships.