About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the 'sore loser' phase or becomes overly competitive to the point of ruining the fun for others. It is particularly helpful for children who feel intense pressure to be the best and react with frustration or jealousy when a peer or sibling outshines them. In this humorous story, the notoriously mischievous cat Ralph goes to a carnival and faces off against his 'perfect' cousin Percy. As Ralph tries and fails to win at various games, the story explores themes of envy and sportsmanship. It is an ideal choice for the 4 to 8 age range because it uses slapstick humor to soften the blow of a difficult social lesson, showing that while losing is hard, being a 'rotten' sport makes things even worse.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with behavioral issues and sibling-style rivalry in a secular, metaphorical way. While Ralph's behavior is 'rotten,' the resolution is realistic: he doesn't become perfect, but he learns a specific lesson about sportsmanship.
