May I Come In?

When thunder roars and lightning flashes, Raccoon is afraid to be alone in his home. So he hurries out to see if any of his neighbors in Thistle Hollow have room to spare for a friend in need. When Raccoon knocks on the doors of Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck, he is turned away. But then Raccoon spies a bright light in the storm. Will this next neighbor open up her house and heart to Raccoon? A tender story that reminds readers of all ages that a kind heart will always make room for one more.

Format List Price Your Price Qty
$16.99 $16.99
$28.99 $28.99
Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 1
Dewey E
Lexile 520L
ATOS Reading Level 2.1
Guided Reading Level I
Language English
Publisher Sleeping Bear Press
Available Formats Hardcover (9781585363940), PDF (9781534122871), Hosted ebook (9781534123045)
Copyright 2018
Number of Pages 32
Dimensions 9 x 9
Graphics Full-color illustrations

School Library Journal - May I Come In?

PreS-Gr 1–Afraid to be home alone during a storm, Raccoon sets out to find a friend to stay with. Turns out that the homes of Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck are too small to share. Cold and dejected, Raccoon makes one last stop at Rabbit’s house where he is certain that the large rabbit family will have no room to spare. However, Rabbit invites him in, explaining, “There’s always room for a good friend.” In fact, when Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck show up looking for company in the storm, Rabbit has space for them as well and all the friends ride out the storm together. The artwork is bright and inviting. Even the scenes where it is dark and Raccoon is afraid are not scary. While the story’s motif is not new, it is one that will would work well for storytimes about friendship. ¬VERDICT A solid general purchase for school and public libraries.

Kirkus Reviews - May I Come In?

Thunderstorms are for sharing." Rain poured. /Raccoon shivered. / Thunder roared./ Raccoon quivered." Raccoon is not altogether comfortable alone in his den as the storm outside rages. Nevertheless, he braves the wet night in order to find some company with whom he can share his collywobbles. In a narrative composed of onomatopoeia and occasional verse, Raccoon travels through the woods, dropping in on Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck in turn, only to be refused entry because there isn’t enough room. “Swish, swish, PLISH.” Raccoon pushes on through the darkness and rain—Poh’s fine artwork resembles particularly good theatrical backdrops against which her stylized figures stand out—until he reaches Rabbit’s hutch, overrun with little rabbits. Raccoon thinks it’s another bust until Rabbit says, “What good luck….Come right in. There’s always room for a good friend.” Being rabbits, they have to be space-ready. Soon enough Possum, Quail, and Woodchuck, come knocking, seeking emotional shelter from the storm, and they, too, are welcomed in for some carrot stew and to romp with the 10 little rabbits. Come on in, the story says without saying it, which is always the best way, there’s always room for one more. Readers may notice that only Rabbit is identified as female, which reinforces more than one stereotype. Lovely artwork combined with goodwill toward men. (Picture book. 3-7)

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Author: Marsha Diane Arnold

Marsha Diane Arnold is a multiple-award–winning author with more than one million children’s books sold. She has been called a “born storyteller” by the media. One of her favorite childhood activities was poring over seed catalogs with her grandma Emma. Whether in straight rows or jumbly, Grandma Emma’s gardens were a colorful wonder in the midst of Kansas wheat fields. Marsha now lives in Southwest Florida, and from time to time plants seeds that surprise her, as they did Badger. Learn more at marshadianearnold.com.

Illustrator: Jennie Poh

Jennie Poh has been illustrating for seven years. She studied at the Surrey Institute of Art & Design. Jennie is inspired by the countryside, its seasons and animals. She lives in Surrey, England, with her family.

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