“An exceedingly gentle, optimistic story"
——BOOKLIST

★No matter what your size, substantial change starts with a bit of courage, a good idea, and a little help from your friends.
★The series introduce early readers to the impact kids can have in their own communities. Whether it’s uniting a town to save a building or just finding a home for a lost pup, the pint-sized pack always go big.
★The creative crew jump into action when they see a problem, inspiring young optimists to do likewise–or to just unwind with a light-hearted story.

The series includes 3 titles: Zooapalooza in the Park, Extravaganza at the Plaza, Blueberry Bonanza

The Raccoon River Kids are back with a new community project! Critics are calling this new chapter book for young activists "an exceedingly gentle, optimistic story"―perfect for readers learning about the power of young people.

The kids of Raccoon River are up to their ears in a brand new project: saving the town’s old abandoned Plaza Theater. But first, they have to get a look inside. It’s spooky―spider webs and creaky floors, and one slowly-swaying stage curtain. Lots of repairs and donations will be needed. Can the Plaza be saved?

Lauren L. Wohl has had a long career in children’s book publishing. She has a degree in Library Science and has been an elementary school librarian. She served as Director of James Patterson’s ReadKiddoRead program, taught writing at the college level, and now consults with several publishers and literary agencies. Stories she’s been reading in newspapers and seeing on television news programs about children stepping up to make kind, generous, and important contributions to their communities inspired her chapter books about the Raccoon River Kids: Blueberry Bonanza and now Extravaganza at the Plaza. She is also the author of a picture book, A Teeny Tiny Halloween, illustrated by Henry Cole. A native New Yorker, Lauren enjoys life in her new hometowns of Lenox, Massachusetts and Miami Beach, Florida.

Mark Tuchman, a native New Yorker, is the long-time creative director for a venerable publication known for its reviews of children’s books. Earlier in his career, he created cartoon illustrations that appeared in national magazines and big city newspapers. Mark is raising three awesome children with his wife Michelle, and splits his time between Brooklyn and Facebook.