Diana Lesire Brandmeyer Reviews

Added May 3, 2004

The Trouble with Ralph

Author: Diana Lesire Brandmeyer
Publisher: Writers Exchange E-Publishing
Available At: www.writers-exchange.com
Publishing Date: Available
Genre: Children: Illustrated/Storybook
Format: Ebook CD and download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $9.95 CD, $3.00 download
ISBN: 1-876962-19-4
Author Email/Website: www.dianabrandmeyer.com
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo

Ralph scratches the paint on the family truck with his sharp nails. He takes the clean white shirts out of the laundry basket and puts them on the back porch. Trouble seems to follow his every move. Mother says that all he does is destroy things and create work for everyone else. She wants to sell him at the auction.

But Ralph isn't being mean; he's just being a goat. Hayley loves her pet and doesn't want him to be sold, yet what can she do? It turns out that she doesn't have to do anything, because Ralph does something extraordinary and wonderful.

Young readers will love this delightful story, which is filled with the right amount of suspense and a whole lot of love and laughter. Most children can only dream about having such an unusual pet, and will be thrilled to live this opportunity through Hayley. Also noteworthy was Hayley's care for her pet. She is shown feeding it and giving it love and attention. This is a gentle reminder to children that all pets need daily care.

The illustrations fit the story perfectly and will allow young minds to grasp the story with clarity. The author has used a simple story line to teach an important truth. All of us have a purpose and a place. Ralph may not be the "ordinary" household pet, but when people stop contrasting him with one, then he is free to be a goat. And Ralph becomes not just an ordinary goat, but an extraordinary one.

The Trouble With Ralph will show young readers the blessings of differences.

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