Visiting a different library, saw this, and despite the fact that so far the only Rotten Ralph story I've liked was the first, I decided to grab this. It was actually better than some. The illustrations were, once again, psychedelic & vibrant & worth spending time exploring. The story was sufficiently creative. ( )

This picture book can teach a child a handful of responsibility as well as love. The girl in this book encounters the nine lives of her cat Ralph and how each life was lost. When bringing her cat to the vet, she learns that Ralph has used eight out of nine lives. The cats owner does everything in her power to make sure her cat is comfortable at home, and restricts Ralph. At the end of the picture book, you learn that the cat's restrictions can only be so much until he breaks. The girls love and affection towards her cat is an at of kindness that children starting at a young age should be able to learn. Responsibility is shown in this book is shown by making sure her cat has everything he needs. ( )

Rotten Ralph discovers that he’s on his last life, and explains to Sarah how he got through his first eight lives. Ralph must decide whether he will continue to be his rotten self, or be good to prolong his ninth life. As part of Jack Gantos’ acclaimed series, The Nine Lives of Rotten Ralph explores the consequences of mistreating others. Nicole Rubel’s bright illustrations add a great deal of interesting and fun detail to the story, showing Sarah’s living room covered in signs warning Ralph to be careful. In the end, however, Ralph learns the importance of being true to himself and living life to the fullest. This book would be appropriate for either school of public library collections, especially where there is already interest in the Rotten Ralph series. ( )

Books involving crazy cats seems to be a theme of my reading this term. This particular story is centered around the cat Ralph, who as the author writes does "every rotten thing he wanted and never worried about his future." Well this past has caught up to him, and one day he wakes up not feeling well. His owner, a little girl named Sarah, takes him to the vet where she discovers that Ralph is on his ninth life. If he doesn't change his crazy lifestyle he will be going to cat heaven. The illustrations in the story are great, and the cat really comes to life. The story is one that kids would find funny, though it also has the underlying moral of "better take care of yourself" to it. Overall, a great early reader book.

I was already a fan of Jack Gantos, but now I'm truly impressed by his range of writing. Whether he is recounting his own life in a story best heard by older ears ("Hole in My Life"), or creating fantastical tales for teens of family pathos ("Love Curse of the Rumbaughs"), Gantos is a master storyteller. Here he spins the yarn of the neighborhood bad-boy cat, down to his last life. This picturebook is sure to entertain the older reader who reads this aloud to young children. Nicole Rubel's colorful illustrations are magically expressive. ( )