Hunter's Best Friend at School

"Elliott sympathetically addresses the prickly topic of peer pressure from a child's perspective, revealing how easy it is for the well-intentioned to slide into trouble just by going with the flow. Hunter learns a critical lesson regarding the importance of staying true to one's self. Munsinger's anthropomorphic raccoons are irresistibly cute and cuddly... Elliott does a remarkable job portraying how difficult it is for Hunter to resist Stripe's entreaties and later, not react to his teasing. Readers will readily respond to Hunter's dilemma and be reassured by his ultimate success."

"Best friends and school join in Elliott's tale for a kid-pleasing combination. Munsinger's comical, sometimes poignant illustrations give this picture book a double draw. Parents will surely appreciate this message about resisting peer pressure"

"Elliott wisely makes Stripe's misbehavior inviting (it is fun to secretly poke and giggle during story hour) and playful rather than mean-spirited."

"Help your friend be his best self…is a fairly sophisticated concept, and it's handled with a deft, light touch by the author and illustrator. Parents know how troubled kids can be by such dilemmas, and how attractive negative role models can be. Kids will face this issue over and over; seeing appealing animal characters work it out…can only help."