The Racc Pack

Three raccoons, the Bin family, live in their Toronto attic home and have perfected the art of dumpster diving. Dusty is “the brains”, ReRe is “the muscle”, and Scraps is “the gadget guy”. Even the new raccoon-proof garbage bins hitting the streets are no match for this gang of scavengers. When a coffee shop called Well Bean opens in their neighbourhood, the trio hit the garbage jackpot when, behind the shop, they discover an open dumpster full of discarded food. With the help of JB, a crafty neighbourhood cat, and a skunk named Jacques, the Bins family set out to steal the increasingly fortified dumpster from behind an electric barbed wire fence and from under the watchful eye of the evil shop owner, Jeff Beans. The ensuing heist is full of laughs, surprises and nail-biting close calls while also touching on issues of food waste, corporate corruption and identity. Cooke’s lighthearted and engaging dialogue works effectively in tandem with Gardener’s bright and visually interesting illustrations.

An expressive and fun graphic novel, The Racc Pack will leave young readers wanting more raccoon shenanigans.