Rita and Ralph's Rotten Day

Humorous repetition lightens the quarrel, and readers learn that forgiveness is a process.

This well-crafted story is an excellent choice for those seeking books featuring conflict-resolution to help children learn to manage their emotions and build healthy friendships and boundaries.

The classic hand game "Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle" is recast here with two best friends who live "in two little houses, on two little hills." To reach their favorite playing spot, an apple tree at the midpoint between their houses, each must travel "down the hill, and up the hill, and down the hill, and up the hill"--a rolling geography underscored by the book's horizontal format and undulating typography. One day, Ralph bops Rita on the head with a rock and runs away; he belatedly tromps to her house to make amends but can only muster a grumpy, shouted apology. A fuming Rita then tromps to Ralph's house and retaliates with a demand ("I WANT MY PINECONE BACK!"). In each instance, the hilly terrain gives the kids plenty of opportunity to build up a full steam of guilty anger and resentment. But a new day dawns, sincere regrets are expressed ("I'm sorry!" "I'm sorrier!"), and the fun--via zombie tag and daisy chains--resumes. Oswald's (The Sad Little Fact) jaunty style and digital gouache watercolor textures give the pictures a lighthearted feel, while bouncy text by Deedy (The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!) has just enough repetition to be compelling. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2—Rita and Ralph are best friends who live on different hills in the same neighborhood. Each day they meet halfway and complete their special—and delightful—handshake. One day, Rita gets injured while they are playing. The accident leaves Rita angry and Ralph sorry; but as they both try to make amends, circumstances leave them increasingly grumpy, frustrated, and sad, so each friend goes home. Ultimately they find themselves back in the middle, feeling "sorry" and "sorrier" about what happened the day before. Oswald's colorful, engaging illustrations perfectly reflect Rita and Ralph's ever-changing emotions. The text is simple and flowing, making it a useful resource to discuss feelings with young children. The book concludes with a note from the author about reconciliation, and directions for Rita and Ralph's handshake. VERDICT A great addition about emotions and communication for most libraries.—Shana Shea, Windsor Public Library, CT

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for Rita and Ralph's Rotten Day:

* Oswald's illustrations take full advantage of this book's elongated format, accentuating the distance between the friends' houses... Deedy's realistic portrait of the ups and downs of friendship will strike a familiar chord with young readers. This well-crafted story is an excellent choice for those seeking books featuring conflict-resolution to help children learn to manage their emotions and build healthy friendships and boundaries. — Booklist, starred review

A sincere and sympathetic but unsentimental treatment of a challenging behavior for youngsters — the admission of wrongdoing and the repair of friendship — told with a lilting cadence by noted storyteller Deedy.... Kids can glean a lot from Rita and Ralph: miscommunication is an easy, inevitable occurrence between friends, and though making up is much more difficult, it's always worth a shot, and accountability goes a long way when making amends. A corresponding hand game, Mr. Wiggle & Mr. Waggle, complete with diagrams, accompanies the text. — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Recommended

* A terrific read-aloud... Rita and Ralph's tiff, told with a sweet freshness, is a timeless, engaging tale with which any young reader is likely to identify.... Best friends learn that asking for — and accepting—forgiveness is an up-and-down process in this delightful picture book. — Shelf Awareness, starred review