Marking 40 years: The Raccoons go worldwide with hardback editions

Available now on Amazon globally, the first three titles, Cry Wolf!, The One That Got Away, and Blast from the Past! bring a fresh twist to the classic series that charmed audiences across Canada, the U.S., and beyond in the 1980s and ’90s.

With a perfect blend of anarchic humor, heartfelt storytelling, and environmental themes, these new adventures are written by a powerhouse team of children’s authors:

• John Peel, known for Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Eerie Indiana, and Doctor Who novels.
• Iain McLaughlin, former editor of The Beano and author of The Tomorrow People.
• Chris McGuire, TV producer for shows like Hannah-Oke, Me:TV (BAFTA winner), and Pet School (Emmy winner).

Set in the Evergreen Forest, each book follows the adventures of Bert Raccoon, his best friend Cedric Sneer, the intrepid Melissa and Ralph, faithful Schaeffer the dog, and the scheming (but oddly lovable) pink aardvark Cyril Sneer.

Originally created by Kevin Gillis, The Raccoons premiered in 1985 and quickly became a cultural touchstone in Canada and abroad. With today’s growing awareness around environmental issues – over 80% of young people globally are eager to make a difference – the show’s themes feel more timely than ever.

“These stories capture the spirit of The Raccoons for a whole new generation,” said Kevin Gillis. “We’re thrilled to work with Candy Jar Books and Andrews UK to bring the Evergreen Forest to fans around the world. The team of writers have done a fantastic job blending mystery, drama, and comedy in a way that’s perfect for kids and parents alike.”

Paul Andrews, CEO of Andrews UK, said: “Bringing these stories to life as hardback novels feels like the next natural step, and it’s fantastic to see them reach new audiences around the globe. We’re delighted to be part of a project that bridges generations and invites families to enjoy these timeless characters in a whole new way.”

Each novel is designed for co-reading, encouraging parents and children to enjoy the stories together. With seven chapters – one for each day of the week – they offer an easy and engaging reading routine. In addition, the books include QR codes linking to exclusive interactive video and music content to deepen the experience.

This marks a major milestone for The Raccoons brand, which has already enjoyed success with licensed apparel, games, toys, mugs, and activity books, but these novels take the beloved series to a truly global audience for the first time.

Meanwhile, the original series has recently undergone a full 4K remaster from the original 35mm film, and is now streaming in high resolution across platforms in the USA, UK, Germany, Latin America, Austria, Switzerland, the Baltics, Mexico, Canada, Ukraine, and many more.

Coming this fall: Candy Jar Books will release a special holiday-themed novel based on the fan-favorite episode, The Christmas Raccoons.