Amazon Lyn Hancock: Author, Photographer, Teacher, Guest Speaker Lyn Hancock Sandhill Book Marketing Category:  Family Publisher: Sono Nis Press ISBN-10:  1550391569 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 168 Copyright: 2006 ISBN-13: 9781550391565 Readers of all ages will be mesmerized by Lyn's real life adventures with a saucy orphan raccoon she called Tabasco - smuggling her on 17 airplane flights across Canada, living with her in a no-pet apartment while she was studying at Simon Fraser University, following her to malls, camping in the Rockies, swimming in lakes, log booming in rivers, hiking, skiing, boating, even cougar hunting as well as visiting (and ransacking) schools and friends' homes. She was loved by all, except one, and therein lives a story. Much as Lyn loves Tabasco, she knows that raccoons are wild creatures, not house pets. The story of Lyn's search for a new, wild home for her beloved companion will melt your heart. Young and old alike will treasure this unforgettable real life tale of Tabasco the Saucy Raccoon. For almost thirty years, Lyn Hancock kept a special story close to her heart. At last, she is ready to tell it: the remarkable tale of an animal whose saucy personality enlivened her days and brought joy and wonder to the lives of countless people. At three weeks, Tabasco is a tiny, helpless ball of fluff. Already, the little raccoon's life is unusual: tucked into Lyn's pocket or tote bag, Tabasco accompanies Lyn on a cross Canada tour, making friends every step of the way. By the time they get home, Tabasco is ready to explore the world - inch by exciting, fragrant, tactile inch. Nothing is safe from Tabasco's clever paws. Dogs run and horses stand still when Tabasco comes to call. For some, the raccoon's like her namesake: a little goes a long, long way. But children flock from all around to play with Lyn's busy, talkative friend. Loraine Kemp's illustrations are unique - they are all modelled on real people and real animals. Hundreds of children and adults acted out the characters and the situations  Lyn and Loraine worked together before, during and after the book's production, another unusual happening in the publishing field. Go read and see for yourself. You've got till now and the New Year to enjoy this true story at this low $5 price.       Coming Soon Excerpt "Two tickets to Toronto, please, for me and my pet raccoon," I said to the lady at the Air Canada ticket counter in Vancouver. I tried to sound nonchalant, as if this was something I asked for every day. She looked up, startled, then drew back in alarm as I placed a wooden box in front of her. "I know he has to go in the baggage compartment," I continued. "So I brought my own carrying case - unless, of course, you wnt me to use yours." My parents had brought me to the airport early this Sunday morning, and, as expected, the terminal was almost deserted. Still, Dad couldn't help looking embarrassed. He and Mom were visiting me from Australia and, once again, they were being dragged into one of their daughter's "crazy" schemes. "When will you ever grow up?" my mother would often sign. She looked at the agent apologetically. The lady behind the ticket counter stared at the box as if any minute it might explode. I felt that if she'd been a bank teller she would have reached for an alarm. "Where is your..your raccoon?" she asked fearfully, not really believing that I had one. "Here," I said, reaching into the pocket of my parka and pulling out a red woollen toque. "Meet Tabasco." The lump of grizzled fur snuffling sleepily into the wool in the palm of my hand looked more like a pin cushion than a one-pound, orphaned raccoon. The airline lady's manner changed. "Oh, it's just a baby," she crooned. "It's adorable." Then, remembering where she was, she looked horrified. "You can't put that little raccoon in the baggage compartment, it's too tiny. It might die!" "Then what do you suggest?" I asked innocently. The ticket agent's voice dropped suddenly. Looking quickly behind her to make sure nobody was listening, she whispered,"Wrap it up in a blanket and pretend it's your baby." Now it was my turn to look horrified. I certainly had a baby and I was carrying a bag of baby supplies - bottle, formula, vitamins, towels and yes, a blanket too - but somehow I couldn't bring myself to take Tabasco through security as a human baby. No, I had another plan. And if you want to know what happened, well, you will have to read the book. Published by Sono Nis Press in Canada and distributed by Orca Books in the US. UPDATE: THE AUTHOR HAS RETAINED HER RIGHTS AND THIS BOOK IS NOW ONLY AVAILABLE FROM LYN HANCOCK or SANDHILL BOOK MARKETING (see below)

Canadian Materials Volume X11 No.20 June 9, 2006
Most CM readers will immediately connect Lyn Hancock's name with a pair of books that were published in the 1970s and which included the names of animals in their titles, There's a Seal in my Sleeping Bag and There's a Raccoon in my Parka. The manuscript for Tabasco the Saucy Raccoon was actually written in that same time period three decades before it was finally published. Hancock explains the delay: I wrote Tabasco's story in 1978 just after it came to an end.But it was not popular in those days to have sad endings. But I must tell the story as it happened. So I put Tabasco's story - my diaries, letters, photos, tapes and the manuscript into a big box. For 27 years I told stories of her life across the world but I always stopped before the last chapter.Until now....Dave Jenkinson who gives this book 4/4 stars says "It's unfortunate that readers have had to wait so long to meet this delightful animal. Kudos to the publisher for making it available.This book is a delightful read filled with heartwarming anecdotes that will bring smiles to readers'faces. Just seeing the cover will cause potential readers to fall in love with Tabasco and immediately want to get into the book's contents. Highly recommended. (There is a much longer review available)

Tabasco is a Saucy Delight...OwenSound Sun Times Oct 2006 by John Britt
This is a book that belongs on the shelves of every library...it abounds with humorous anecdotes describing Tabasco's encounters with people she and Lyn meet as they travel across Canada and the US... Hancock's power of observation and gift for uncluttered prose make us surrogate parents. The narrative's anecdotes and information are so naturally interwoven one doesn't realize one's learning.I can think of no better way to learn.... The story is unique. ....

Saucy Stories ofTabascoTrue to Life...Ladysmith Chronicle, BC
Truth really is stranger than fiction in Tabasco the Saucy Raccoon.It is unlike anything I've read before: a blend between a humorous, emotional tale and an informative guide to raccoons. Lyn may seem similar to a modern Farley Mowat but her novels have wider appeal and her truth is not sacrificed for anything. Lyn has created an entirely new genre.
So young or old, read this book. Tabasco is an endearing character that will burrow her way into your heart. If you don't like raccoons, you just may gain a new perspective.