{"id":37280,"date":"2020-12-02T23:59:03","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T03:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37280"},"modified":"2020-12-02T23:59:03","modified_gmt":"2020-12-03T03:59:03","slug":"review-of-rita-and-ralphs-rotten-day-by-carmen-agra-deedy-illustrated-by-pete-oswald","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=37280","title":{"rendered":"Review of Rita and Ralph’s Rotten Day, by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Pete Oswald"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Rita & Ralph\u2019s Rotten Day<\/em><\/p>\n

by Carmen Agra Deedy
\nillustrated by Pete Oswald<\/p>\n

Scholastic Press, 2020. 48 pages.
\nReview written March 5, 2020, from a library book
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

I want to read this book in a storytime! I recognized some elements from stories I\u2019ve heard before, and sure enough, an Author\u2019s Note at the back explains that the story is adapted from \u201cthe classic hand game, \u2018Mr. Wiggle & Mr. Waggle,\u201d and explains the hand motions you can use as you read the book. I think I would want to prop the book up and do just that.<\/p>\n

But the story goes beyond that. It\u2019s also a story of hurt feelings and reconciliation.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how the book begins:<\/p>\n

In two little houses,
\non two little hills,
\nlived two best friends.<\/p>\n

Every morning, Rita and Ralph would
\nopen their doors,
\nstep outside,
\nclose their doors,
\nand run . . .<\/p>\n

. . . down the hill,
\nand up the hill,
\nand down the hill,
\nand up the hill.<\/p>\n

They\u2019d meet under the apple tree and high-five,
\npinkie-shake,
\ndo a cha-cha-cha,
\nplay zombie tag,
\nand make daisy chains.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But one day, they try a new game, \u201cSticks and Stones,\u201d and Rita gets hurt.<\/p>\n

They don\u2019t handle it well to start (running away) and feelings get hurt.<\/p>\n

What follows is a tale of reconciliation. But that reconciliation involves a whole lot of going down the hill and up the hill and down the hill and up the hill.<\/p>\n

And I think it\u2019s going to be tremendous fun to read aloud. The story is enhanced by the long thin format showing all the hills between the two houses.<\/p>\n

carmenagradeedy.com<\/a>
\nscholastic.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/rita_and_ralphs_rotten_day.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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