Hunter's Best Friend at School

Hunter and Stripe are best friends. This young pair loves to do everything together, like dress in striped sweaters, read the same stories, and even eat the same lunch—a crawfish sandwich, huckleberries, and milk. But when Stripe arrives one day at school in a mischief-making mood and starts stirring up trouble in Mr. Ringtail's class, should Hunter follow along?

Laura Malone Elliott and Lynn Munsinger introduce two delightful pals who will entertain young children as they also provide an important first look at peer pressure and first friendships.

Awards and Reviews

Recipient of the Society of Illustrators Original Art Award
An IRA/CBC Children's Choice
ABA's Booksense 76
Oppenheim Best Book for Children Gold Award
Virginia Readers' Choice finalist 2006-2007
Texas Library Association 2003 2 X 2 Reading List

" Elliott sympathetically addresses the prickly topic of peer pressure from a child's perspective, revealing how easy it is for the well-intentioned to slide into trouble just by going with the flow. Hunter learns a critical lesson regarding the importance of staying true to one's self. Munsinger's anthropomorphic raccoons are irresistibly cute and cuddly... Elliott does a remarkable job portraying how difficult it is for Hunter to resist Stripe's entreaties and later, not react to his teasing. Readers will readily respond to Hunter's dilemma and be reassured by his ultimate success.

— Kirkus Reviews

"Best friends and school join in Elliott's tale for a kid-pleasing combination. Munsinger's comical, sometimes poignant illustrations give this picture book a double draw. Parents will surely appreciate this message about resisting peer pressure"

— Publishers' Weekly

"Elliott wisely makes Stripe's misbehavior inviting (it is fun to secretly poke and giggle during story hour) and playful rather than mean-spirited."

— The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Help your friend be his best self…is a fairly sophisticated concept, and it's handled with a deft, light touch by the author and illustrator. Parents know how troubled kids can be by such dilemmas, and how attractive negative role models can be. Kids will face this issue over and over; seeing appealing animal characters work it out…can only help."

— San Francisco Chronicle