Who'da Thunk?

When my kids were small, some of their favorite story books were the 'Adam Racoon' series.

These are stories about a little Racoon (like you couldn't have figured that out, right?) living in "Master's Wood" which is ruled by a loving King - a Lion named King Aren.  Adam is always getting into trouble and Aren is always there to rescue and forgive.

The stories are parables - each teaches a principle from God's Word.  For example, in "Adam Racoon and the Circus Master", Adam breaks open his piggy bank and runs off to join the circus.  The Circus Master takes all his money and makes him a 'star' in the circus. 

Everything is wonderful - the crowds love Adam.

Until one day, his act is usurped by a seal who can juggle balls while balancing on a ball.

Adam is given a mop and a bucket and put to work washing the circus elephants.  When his chores are done, he's locked in a cage with the monkeys, with only banana peels to eat.

He looks around at his miserable condition and remembers the wonderful meals King Aren always provided in his nice warm house and decides to escape and go back.

As he approaches his old home, he sees that the King is standing at the edge of the wood, watching for Adam.  When he sees him coming, King Aren runs toward Adam, sweeping him into a loving embrace.

The story ends with a huge party being thrown in Adam's honor because King Aren is so happy to have him back.

I'm sure you recognize this as a retelling of the parable of the 'Prodigal Son'.

Not only are the stories entertaining and teach good Biblical principles, but the illustrations are wonderful!  The author/illustrator is Glen Keane, son of Bill Keane, the creator of "Family Circus"  comics.  (That dates me, doesn't it?)

Glen Keane is also a head animator for Disney.

We have 4 of these books in our house, although they are all more than a little 'used'.  In fact, 2 of them have been put up, waiting for me to re-attach the covers.

My grandkids also love these stories - when Gramma says 'go get some books' they almost always include at least one Adam Racoon story.

So......

When I was preparing for Christmas this year, I thought "I should get each of the toddlers an Adam Racoon book for themselves".

Imagine my surprise, when I checked Amazon and found that I would have to pay over $100 for some of these stories!

Are you serious?

I guess they are collectibles now.

"Lost Woods" is 20.00 for a used copy, $79.26 for new.
"Victory Mountain" is $129.99 for new, $46.99 for used.

Just a couple examples.  There are 7 books in this series and new books sell for anywhere from 19.00 (for paperback) to the 130.00 one.  PLUS Shipping and Handling because they don't actually come from Amazon, but from affiliates so the Free Shipping option never applies.

I was SHOCKED!

At that time, I found ONE book that was priced at about $13.00 for a paperback.  Since we don't have this one, I bought it.  With S & H it came in at about $25.

That's a pretty hefty price for a child's bedtime story book, and I kept it in "Gramma's Library" rather than choose ONE child to recieve it.

I looked again when I was writing this post and actually found another I don't have - a used copy for $2.45.  Since this is obviously too good a deal to pass up,  I've ordered it.  S & H is only $6.00 so it is in range of a 'non-collectible' children's book - if it is hardcover.   And if it was brand new.

(I'm actually looking forward to reading about Adam's adventure in this story.)

But really, who would have believed that those books I purchased 20 plus years ago for probably $6.00 each would increase so much in value?

Of course, to re-sell them at the collectible prices, we'd have to have NOT read them so much they fell apart - and then we'd have missed their REAL value.

I'll just keep checking back from time to time to see if I can find another deal. 

AND I'll get my packing tape out and repair the valuable books I have already.