Candy Jar Books has assembled a hit team of Doctor Who writers to launch the new Racoons book series, based on the popular TV show from the 80s.
If you’re a Doctor Who fan and looking for a new book to read, the chances are that a range based on a Canadian children’s cartoon might not be your first port of call. But with a team of Doctor Who writers (and a Doctor Who publisher) helming the launch, these new novels might be well worth your time.
Candy Jar Books, of course, are best known to Doctor Who fans as the publishers of the popular Lethbridge-Stewart book series, following the early days of the beloved Brigadier, whilst its companion series The Lucy Wilson Mysteries looks at the life of his granddaughter and her friends.
And for the new Racoons book range, Candy Jar has called on the services of Doctor Who writers John Peel and Iain McLaughlin, whose names will be instantly recognisable to hardcore fans. Back in the 90s, Peel was one of the writers who contributed to the Target range of novelisations, adapting such classics as ‘The Chase,’ ‘Mission to the Unknown,’ ‘Power of the Daleks‘ and ‘The Evil of the Daleks.’ Are you noticing a theme here?
Similarly, when BBC Books launched its own novel range after the broadcast of the TV movie, John Peel was another of the Doctor Who writers whose services were called upon, penning the Eighth Doctor books ‘War of the Daleks’ and ‘Legacy of the Daleks’ in the late 90s.
However, when he wasn’t finding creative ways for little green blobs in bonded polycarbide armour to exterminate things, Peel also contributed to the Virgin New Adventures range of Doctor Who books. In fact, his first novel for the series ‘Timewyrm: Genesys’ launched the range in 1991, so it’s fitting that he is one of the Doctor Who writers helping to kick-off the Racoons series as well.
Fans of Star Trek mat also be familiar with Peel’s work, having written titles under the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Next Generation banners.
But what is The Racoons all about? Created by Kevin Gillis, The Raccoons was originally shown on the BBC in the 80s and 90s, bringing in generations of dedicated viewers with its mix of anarchic humour, environmental messages and magnetic storytelling. It introduced a range of colourful, memorable characters like Bert Raccoon, his best friend Cedric Sneer, Melissa and Ralph, Schaeffer the dog, and, of course, the dastardly pink aardvark Cyril Sneer.
The new books – ‘Cry Wolf!,’ ‘The One That Got Away’ and ‘Blast from the Past!’ – mark the first time the Canadian franchise has released children’s novels. And interestingly, the universes of The Racoons and Doctor Who are not a million miles apart in terms of their penchant for humorous storytelling and environmental messaging; the most obvious examples from the Whoniverse are ‘The Green Death,’ ‘Orphan 55’ and ‘Praxeus,’ as well as ‘Arachnids in the UK’ and ‘Inferno,’ all of which look at environmental issues and the impact they have on Earth.
The next of our Doctor Who writers to scribe for the Racoons range is Iain McLaughlin. One of his first contributions to the Whoniverse was the Fifth Doctor audio adventure ‘The Eye of the Scorpion’ in 2001, which introduced the character of Erimem. She was an uncrowned Pharaoh from Ancient Egypt who joined the Fifth Doctor and Peri on their TARDIS travels before heading to Peladon to marry one of its kings.
And such as the popularity of Erimem that she continued to appear in Big Finish’s monthly range of adventures until ‘The Bride of Peladon’ in 2008, and was awarded her own spin-off book series in 2015, which was overseen by McLaughlin.
But McLaughlin is also one of the more diverse Doctor Who writers in that he has contributed works to a number of different series. He has written extensively for the Short Trips range from Big Finish, as well as Candy Jar’s Lethbridge-Stewart series. He also penned the Doctor Who Magazine audio exclusive ‘The Veiled Leopard,’ which features Ace, Peri and, of course, the ever-popular Erimem.
On the launch of the new Racoons book series, their original creator Kevin Gillis says: “We’re delighted to be working with Candy Jar Books in releasing a set of stories featuring the Raccoons, and the characters of the Evergreen Forest, for the very first time. Candy Jar has brought together a great team of well-known authors to write these novels. They have done an incredible job capturing the drama, mystery, and comedy of the series for a great co-reading book experience.”
But what is a “co-reading book experience?” These are Doctor Who writers, remember; will K9 be providing the narration?
Sadly not, but what’s interesting about the Racoons series is that it’s designed to be read by children alongside their parents. Each novel from our Doctor Who writers (and others) features QR codes that allow readers to access additional interactive video and music content. And, obviously, there is an educational element to these stories; for instance, Iain McLaughlin’s book, ‘The One That Got Away,’ focusses on river pollution, and at a time when over 80% of young people want to take action against climate change, it’s a thought-provoking read for youngsters, or indeed anyone environmentally-minded. The Nuthach would approve.
And if you’re keen to dive into these latest works from Doctor Who writers, you can do so right away. The first three Racoons books are available from Gardners, Peters, Waterstones, Amazon, and of course your local independent bookstore. You can also buy them at the Candy Jar shop.
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