Rotten Ralph Helps Out: A Rotten Ralph Rotten Reader (Rotten Ralph Rotten Readers) - Hardcover

Gantos, Jack

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374363552 ISBN 13: 9780374363550

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2001

Synopsis

"Rotten Ralph is one cat who can make reading fun for kids. And he does!" --Marc Brown

Sarah needs a topic for her school project on ancient Egypt. Her rotten red cat, Ralph, thinks history is a bore. Only after he spoils a research trip to the library does Ralph decide to help. According to Sarah, the ancient Egyptians believed cats were wise and had special powers. And Rotten Ralph knows he can prove them right!

This antic adventure is the first Rotten Ralph Rotten Reader, a rambunctious new series for beginning readers.

About this title

About the Author

Jack Gantos and Nicole Rubel published their first book, Rotten Ralph, in 1976. They launched the Rotten Ralph Readers in 2001 with Rotten Ralph Helps Out.

 

In addition to the Rotten Ralph books, Jack Gantos is the author of Hole in My Life, a memoir that won the Michael L. Printz and Robert F. Sibert Honors, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, a National Book Award Finalist, and Joey Pigza Loses Control, a Newbery Honor book. He lives with his family in Boston, Massachusetts.

 

Nicole Rubel's many books include Twice as Nice: What It's Like to Be a Twin and  Grody's Not So Golden Rules. She lives in Aurora, Oregon.

Reviews

Gr 1-3-That infamous feline is now appearing in a new series of beginning readers. In this story, Ralph assists his owner, Sarah, with her class project on ancient Egypt. Readers will learn a bit about the life and customs of this fascinating place and time while they build their literacy skills. Throughout the short chapters, Ralph is up to his usual tricks; he gets into trouble for building a pyramid of books and writing hieroglyphics on the walls during a visit to the library. The colorful and humorous illustrations add appeal and reinforce Ralph's rotten behavior. A wise choice for youngsters making the transition from picture books to chapter books.

Maura Bresnahan, Shawsheen School, Andover, MA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Fans of Gantos's irrepressible Ralph who are ready to graduate from picture books will eagerly leap into this early chapter book, the first installment of the Rotten Ralph Rotten Reader series. Not surprisingly, the disaster-prone feline initially does not help out at all, but rather comically wreaks havoc as he accompanies Sarah to the library. While she researches a school project on the Egyptians, Ralph constructs a pyramid out of books and practices writing hieroglyphics on the walls. Back home, the rambunctious cat, more determined than ever to offer assistance, proceeds to flood the bathroom when Sarah suggests they build a model of an Egyptian boat; he also fills the living room with sand and palm trees when she considers building a desert oasis. In a pleasing if predictable turnabout, Ralph comes to Sarah's rescue when he dresses up as the Sphinx to provide her with a winning project for school. The author sprinkles his lighthearted narrative with facts about ancient Egyptian culture and lifestyle. His animated pictures feature ample amusing particulars and reveal the less-than-rotten Ralph with a range of diverting facial expressions. Gantos gets it right again. Ages 6-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 1-2. Rotten Ralph and Sarah explore all things Egyptian in this latest adventure. Sarah invites Ralph to help her come up with a school project that represents Egyptian culture. Of course, everything goes hilariously awry. At the library, Ralph builds a pyramid of books and draws hieroglyphics on the walls; at home, he floods the hallway while trying to make a boat, and piles sand in the living room, to re-create a desert oasis. "Every time I want to do something fun you spoil it," says Sarah. In the end, however, Ralph's Sphinx costume makes him the hit of the class. The text's short sentences and dialogue are basic enough for new readers while imparting plenty of interesting facts about the Egyptians. Rubel's familiar, richly colored cartoon illustrations show the chaos and humor. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0374363552
• ISBN 13: 9780374363550
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Rubel Nicole
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48