School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Jack Gantos's Rotten Ralph beginning reader (Farrar, 2001) offers a humorous exploration of how to become an Egyptian, summarized into four chapters: "Walk Like an Egyptian," "Read Like an Egyptian," "Shake Like an Egyptian" and "Look Like an Egyptian." Listeners learn about the lifestyles and customs of Ancient Egypt when Ralph, the adventurous feline, wants to help Sarah, his owner, with her class project. Sarah and Ralph go to the library to work on the project but, as usual, Ralph gets into trouble. In the end, Ralph lives up to his reputation of a "wise cat" and helps Sarah with her project by dressing up as the Sphinx to save the day. Background noises such as pouring kitty litter, flipping pancakes, and running water enhance the audio experience and draw listeners into the setting. Gantos's expressive narration brings Rotten Ralph's emotions to life. Although Ralph never utters a single word, the audience will laugh at his pranks and relate to his fallibility and persistence. One audio track has page-turn signals, and the other is straight narration. Listeners will enjoy the story's humor and Nicole Rubel's colorful illustrations.-Ann Crewdson, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
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. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved