Rebecca the White House Raccoon — April Genevieve Tucholke

In this mostly true tale based on President and First Lady Coolidge’s real-life menagerie, their pet raccoon causes havoc and hilarity in the White House.  Rebecca was adopted by President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge in 1926, joining the many other animals living at the White House: cats, dogs, canaries, a bear, a wallaby, two lion cubs, thirteen Pekin ducks, and more. But none of those pets were half as wonderful as Rebecca—just ask her! After all, First Lady Grace walked Rebecca around on a leash for everyone to see. The president cuddled Rebecca in front of the fire at night. And the staff just loved chasing Rebecca around the White House and cleaning up her messes! Inspired by a real presidential pet, this spunky story about a beloved (and mischievous) raccoon—with information and photos of the real-life Rebecca in the back—is a wildly fun look at a surprising part of our nation’s history.