School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Rotten Ralph has his future planned out. He's designed his own baseball card, embellished his uniform with the words Superstar #1, and practiced how he'll sign autographs and give interviews with the media. He hasn't worked on his hitting, throwing, or running skills though. After tryouts, Ralph's owner, Sarah, makes the team, but Ralph is designated the new "cat boy." His duties include washing socks and sweeping the dugout. During the season, he is given different responsibilities, but his dreams of stardom never materialize. Ralph's antics on and off the baseball field may seem rotten to some, but he manages to remain a superstar in Sarah's eyes. There is never a dull moment in this colorful and appealing early reader.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this early reader, Ralph, the storied tomato-red cat with a jack-o-lantern grin, has home run aspirations. But when it's time for tryouts, Ralph is too focused on being a "superstar" to listen to his owner Sarah's advice. Though Sarah makes the Fighting Squirrels and Ralph doesn't, he becomes the team's "cat boy," giving him a chance to hone his skills. Busy daydreaming and practicing his autograph, Ralph doesn't bother practicing, and when he fills in for a sick player, his overconfidence results in a belly flop. Gantos and Rubel offer easy reading, funny pictures, and an accessible lesson about humility and hard work-sprinkled with some legit baseball pointers. Ages 6-8. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
