Rotten Ralph Helps Out: A Rotten Ralph Rotten Reader [Paperback]

Jack Gantos (Author), Nicole Rubel (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Rotten Ralph

"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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

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.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (August 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374463557
• ISBN-13: 978-0374463557
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Ancient Civilizations
  • #95 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Ancient Civilizations

More About the Author

Jack Gantos has written novels for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers, as well as over twenty books for primary readers, including twelve titles chronicling the misadventures of Rotten Ralph. He lives in Santa Fe, NM.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Walk Like A Rotten Feline!, August 20, 2001

By 

Chrissie Anderson (Bristol, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rotten Ralph Helps Out: A Rotten Ralph Rotten Reader (Rotten Ralph Rotten Readers) (Hardcover)

Jack Gantos' adorably mischievous feline, Rotten Ralph, is at it again! Sarah has a big project due for school about Ancient Egypt and she desperately wants Ralph to assist her. In typical Ralph fashion, however, Ralph wants to do anything but what his ever-so-patient "owner" Sarah wants him to do. Gantos uses the conversations between Sarah and Ralph to inform readers about various aspects of life and culture in Ancient Egypt, but does so in such a way that it doesn't come across as "teachy," but entertaining instead. From the fact that Ancient Egyptians regarded cats as super-special deities to the fact that Ancient Egyptians were the first to invent pancakes, the material presented in this new chapter-book approach from Gantos and Rubel will interest and appeal to children who are ready to graduate from the previous Rotten Ralph books to something they can manage on their own. Rubel's artwork is as charming as ever and Gantos' wit is matchless as Ralph takes on a whole new format of fun and frolic! Sooooooooo cool! A definite winner.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rotten Ralph in the Classroom, August 9, 2001

By 

Chrissie Anderson (Bristol, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rotten Ralph Helps Out: A Rotten Ralph Rotten Reader (Rotten Ralph Rotten Readers) (Hardcover)

Rotten Ralph is at it again, as mean and self-serving as ever! Sarah is trying to do a school project on the ancient Egyptians and their culture. Ralph could not care less. UNTIL he realizes just how important all of this is to Sarah and how very much she wants his assistance (as well as how much interference he has run in tangling up all her plans!). Gantos takes the ever-lovable, but cantankerous, feline he has masterfully perfected in previous Rotten Ralph books and stepped up the pace to a chapter-book format. Gantos exposes readers to various interesting Egyptian facts throughout the course of the book without ever boring them or "beating" a lesson into them (i.e., Egyptians invented pancakes). Rubel's illustrations are as right-on as ever. Soooooo cool, Gantos! A real winner!

5.0 out of 5 stars We love rotten ralph, July 24, 2008

By 

A. Niendorf - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rotten Ralph Helps Out: A Rotten Ralph Rotten Reader (Paperback)

My 3 year old daughter loves the Rotten Ralph books. He is very humorous and entertaining for me as well. This is not our most favorite one that we have read (probably #2 on our list). Our favorite is 'Best in Show'. I really appreciate the way this one teaches some fun facts about ancient Egypt and some library rules as well. Ralph always comes through in the end as not so rotten.