Welcome back the infamous raccoon - Stanleigh

“He did more to raise awareness for wildlife in one year than all the conservation agencies combined!” That was the statement made by the Defenders of Wildlife, and it was why they sent their head photographer from Washington DC to Colorado to meet the infamous, news-headlining, movie star - Stanleigh the Raccoon.

The 1980’s were the Stanleigh Era. Stanleigh touched countless children and educators on a very personal level. Escorted by Ruth and George Cloven, Stanleigh personally attended hundreds of packed assemblies, major library events, and book signings aside well-known authors. He had two books published as well as the starring role in the 16mm film, “The Dream Forest”. This 24 minute academic movie premiered to a standing-room-only audience at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The first and only world premier for a raccoon!

Stanleigh the Raccoon was one in a million. It gives me great pleasure to tell you that his first two books (sold out and long out-of-print) as well as a third book never seen until now, have been published onto one limited edition audio DVD. The delightful stories are professionally read and the photographs are as beautiful as they were in his hardback books.

“The Dream Forest” film has also been published to a DVD and is available to the public for the first time in history.

Stanleigh is adorable, and just as he did when he toured among the public over 20 years ago he brings a critical message to our society: “Learn to Live with Wildlife and Enjoy it – Don’t Destroy It!”  Today’s children know so little about animals beyond our domestic pets that they struggle to relate to urban animals that have been maligned into critters feared full of disease and risks. True, we must respect wildlife. But enough is enough, and certainly these limited edition DVD’s will have the same magical effect they did on children back in a kinder time.

In the words of one (now grown) child “I don’t recall any day at school as special as the day I met Stanleigh”. An excerpt from the article Growing Up with Books by Martha Bennett King: …..”It’s a temptation to lift the appealing raccoon right out of the book and hug him. But, say his people, raccoons aren’t pets like kittens and puppies. They’re wild animals. Well, that doesn’t keep Stanleigh from being an irresistible picture-book pet!”

“We knew from an early age that Stanleigh was a unique raccoon”, say the Clovens, now retired. They should know. The Cloven’s raised 5 raccoons, studied them for over 40 years, and have been USDA licensed for over 30 years. “Stanleigh loved to perform; large crowds didn’t deter him in the least…all the glorious years of touring with Stanleigh he absolutely thrived on the attention. He reveled in the adoration of his fans and didn’t even blink to the flash of cameras.”

If you are expecting a special effects laden DVD film, you won’t find that here. You will find a collector’s edition DVD featuring breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery and an educational message that will warm your heart. The DVD’s are available on a first-come basis. Order them both, and copies for your children, your schools and local libraries. They are available now at Stanleigh’s website for only $15 each and with FREE Shipping for a limited time!

I can’t wait to share mine at my next wildlife education presentation! Co-existing with nature and wildlife is an aspect of history that is sorely missed today. Welcome back, Stanleigh.

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