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Felicity and the Raccoons
Felicity Sparrow and her friend Cairn have faced all sorts of dangers on the many adventures they've had together. But when the two sparrows met a couple of friendly young raccoons who talk about historical figures like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass as if they're alive right now, the sparrows aren't sure what to think! And when the raccoons claim that a famous person... from history needs help, Felicity and Cairn realize that they're about to head off on their biggest adventure yet!
202 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2025
About the author
Loralee Evans
18 books113 followersSome of Loralee Evans’ earliest memories are of sitting with her mom or dad while they read her stories like The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, or Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. These memories, along with many great teachers who got her excited about reading, are what helped her develop a love of books, and of writing. She has lived in Missouri, Texas, and Utah, and even spent a year and a half in Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 29, 2026
This is one of a number of books by this author featuring both animal and human characters and time travel. Two sparrows, Felicity and Cairn, along with two young raccoons, Rosie and Ross, are whisked through a magical tunnel to a train station in 1838 where a young man (to be known in the future as Frederick Douglass) is hoping to board a train to freedom.
The book begins with the sparrows travelling in a car with Mr. Yellow Horse to visit one of his sons. They are greeted on arrival by several children, other family members, and a knowledgeable cat. There are quite a few names to take in, some of them belonging to characters with limited roles in the rest of the story. In addition to ideas about how people with different skin colour are treated, the story includes mentions of ivory-billed woodpeckers. Such a bird even appears as a character in the past-time scenes. The problem of animal extinction is not a topic in the book, so I thought this addition to be a bit confusing, although the bird does deliver some important messages.
I think this book would help to reinforce what kids may learn elsewhere about Douglass and other abolitionists such as Harriet Tubman, by presenting historical facts within a story featuring attractive animal characters. At times I thought the historical element threatened to overwhelm the fictional story, but the sparrows’ and raccoons’ dialogue, especially quite a few contemporary colloquialisms used by Ross the raccoon, lighten the mood. As well as history and vocabulary, the book reminds readers about the importance of communication and listening, being kind, and doing good.
The book begins with the sparrows travelling in a car with Mr. Yellow Horse to visit one of his sons. They are greeted on arrival by several children, other family members, and a knowledgeable cat. There are quite a few names to take in, some of them belonging to characters with limited roles in the rest of the story. In addition to ideas about how people with different skin colour are treated, the story includes mentions of ivory-billed woodpeckers. Such a bird even appears as a character in the past-time scenes. The problem of animal extinction is not a topic in the book, so I thought this addition to be a bit confusing, although the bird does deliver some important messages.
I think this book would help to reinforce what kids may learn elsewhere about Douglass and other abolitionists such as Harriet Tubman, by presenting historical facts within a story featuring attractive animal characters. At times I thought the historical element threatened to overwhelm the fictional story, but the sparrows’ and raccoons’ dialogue, especially quite a few contemporary colloquialisms used by Ross the raccoon, lighten the mood. As well as history and vocabulary, the book reminds readers about the importance of communication and listening, being kind, and doing good.
December 16, 2025
Mixing anthropomorphic woodland creatures with the gravity of American history sounds like a recipe for tonal dissonance, yet Loralee Evans clearly has her heart in the right place. “Felicity and the Raccoons” seeks to both entertain kids, and educate them about the era of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.
Continuing the series, “Felicity and the Raccoons” reunites us with our avian leads, Felicity and Cairn, who stumble upon a duo of raccoons who, oddly, speak of abolitionist heroes as if they are current neighbors, eventually dragging the birds into a time-traveling quest.
Evans deserves credit for navigating such weighty material for a primary school demographic. The narrative should keep young readers engaged with a complex, often difficult topic. Douglass in particular remains a captivating yet little-known subject, and this approach makes his story accessible without stripping away the historical significance.
However, the book certainly has its quirks. The concept of wildlife intervening in human civil rights struggles is undeniably strange. Furthermore, one character, a young raccoon named Ross, communicates almost exclusively in modern social media slang. While I found the clash between 19th-century stakes and TikTok-speak bizarre enough to be amusing, it might be a polarizing choice. (Also, for anyone in the future wondering if this slang was real -- it’s totally real! And just as bewildering as it sounds!) Nevertheless, for parents seeking a novel introduction to American slave days, this is a distinctive adventure that stands out on the shelf.
Continuing the series, “Felicity and the Raccoons” reunites us with our avian leads, Felicity and Cairn, who stumble upon a duo of raccoons who, oddly, speak of abolitionist heroes as if they are current neighbors, eventually dragging the birds into a time-traveling quest.
Evans deserves credit for navigating such weighty material for a primary school demographic. The narrative should keep young readers engaged with a complex, often difficult topic. Douglass in particular remains a captivating yet little-known subject, and this approach makes his story accessible without stripping away the historical significance.
However, the book certainly has its quirks. The concept of wildlife intervening in human civil rights struggles is undeniably strange. Furthermore, one character, a young raccoon named Ross, communicates almost exclusively in modern social media slang. While I found the clash between 19th-century stakes and TikTok-speak bizarre enough to be amusing, it might be a polarizing choice. (Also, for anyone in the future wondering if this slang was real -- it’s totally real! And just as bewildering as it sounds!) Nevertheless, for parents seeking a novel introduction to American slave days, this is a distinctive adventure that stands out on the shelf.
January 5, 2026
Fun & Educational
While Felicity and the Raccoons is book 5 in the Felicity series, it is the first that I have read. However, this isn’t important, since it works as a great stand-alone. The book, designed for children up to 12 years old, tells a delightful story about two sparrows who are introduced by a cat known as Mister Honeypants to his raccoon friends. Together, they embark on a time travel adventure back to the era of the slave trade.
The story about abolitionist pioneers Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass is more than entertaining. With well-formed characters, it also offers educational value, making it a valuable teaching tool for children old enough to understand it. The attractive themed book covers may encourage acquisition of the entire collection.
While Felicity and the Raccoons is book 5 in the Felicity series, it is the first that I have read. However, this isn’t important, since it works as a great stand-alone. The book, designed for children up to 12 years old, tells a delightful story about two sparrows who are introduced by a cat known as Mister Honeypants to his raccoon friends. Together, they embark on a time travel adventure back to the era of the slave trade.
The story about abolitionist pioneers Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass is more than entertaining. With well-formed characters, it also offers educational value, making it a valuable teaching tool for children old enough to understand it. The attractive themed book covers may encourage acquisition of the entire collection.
January 5, 2026
Loralee Evans Does the Crossover, and it Works
Having read several of Loralee Evans' Felicity and Raccoon/Time Travel series, I was very happy to see her attempt to combine the two in this crossover volume, where Felicity and Carin team up with raccoons and other members of the animal kingdom to make sure history proceeds as intended for a young Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.
As usual, Evans weaves a fast-paced, well-written, and interesting tale that will move and delight young children in grades 4-7 and get them to become fascinated with history.
Having read several of Loralee Evans' Felicity and Raccoon/Time Travel series, I was very happy to see her attempt to combine the two in this crossover volume, where Felicity and Carin team up with raccoons and other members of the animal kingdom to make sure history proceeds as intended for a young Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.
As usual, Evans weaves a fast-paced, well-written, and interesting tale that will move and delight young children in grades 4-7 and get them to become fascinated with history.
December 8, 2025
Another delightful and insightful entry in the author’s Felicity Sparrow series, which combines animal stories, time travel and American history, this one is about Frederick Douglass and his escape from slavery. It provides a unique viewpoint and will hopefully hold the interest of younger readers in a complex topic. Kudos to the author for tackling such issue for this age group. One nitpick -- the title could be more descriptive of the content.
February 22, 2026
My rating 4.3
Children's fable, story "Felicity and the Raccoons" by Loralee Evans has an interesting story for children in which they meet famous figures from the history of the USA. The author's writing is entertaining and, in my opinion, attractive to children who learn about their history through stories about animals.
Felicity Sparrow and her friend Cairn go on a trip with their human friend, Mr. Yellow Horse, to visit his relatives. Felicity and Cairn meet the children, the rest of the family, as well as the cat, Mister Honeypants. The cat will surprise them with its knowledge and determination not to eat sparrows. Mister Honeypants will introduce them to two raccoons, Rosie and Ross, who help famous figures in history. This time, the raccoons need help abolitionist pioneers Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. Felicity and Cairn will agree to help them, and it will take them on a journey through time and a new, fantastic adventure of their lives.
I would recommend the book to fans of children's literature.
Children's fable, story "Felicity and the Raccoons" by Loralee Evans has an interesting story for children in which they meet famous figures from the history of the USA. The author's writing is entertaining and, in my opinion, attractive to children who learn about their history through stories about animals.
Felicity Sparrow and her friend Cairn go on a trip with their human friend, Mr. Yellow Horse, to visit his relatives. Felicity and Cairn meet the children, the rest of the family, as well as the cat, Mister Honeypants. The cat will surprise them with its knowledge and determination not to eat sparrows. Mister Honeypants will introduce them to two raccoons, Rosie and Ross, who help famous figures in history. This time, the raccoons need help abolitionist pioneers Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. Felicity and Cairn will agree to help them, and it will take them on a journey through time and a new, fantastic adventure of their lives.
I would recommend the book to fans of children's literature.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews