What do you think?
Rate this book
Rotten Ralph
Rotten Ralph
Ralph, a very, very nasty cat, finally sees the error of his ways -- or does he?
48 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 1976
3 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Jack Gantos
81 books548 followersJack Gantos is an American author of children's books renowned for his portrayal of fictional Joey Pigza, a boy with ADHD, and many other well known characters such as Rotten Ralph, Jack Henry, Jack Gantos (memoirs) and others. Gantos has won a number of awards, including the Newbery, the Newbery Honor, the Scott O'Dell Award, the Printz Honor, and the Sibert Honor from the American Library Association, and he has been a finalist for the National Book Award.
Gantos was born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania to son of construction superintendent John Gantos and banker Elizabeth (Weaver) Gantos. The seeds for Jack Gantos' writing career were planted in sixth grade, when he read his sister's diary and decided he could write better than she could. Born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and raised in Barbados and South Florida, Mr. Gantos began collecting anecdotes in grade school and later gathered them into stories.
After his senior year in high school (where he lived in a welfare motel) he moved to a Caribbean island (St Croix) and began to train as a builder. He soon realized that construction was not his forté and started saving for college. While in St. Croix he met a drug smuggler and was offered a chance to make 10 000 dollars by sailing to New York with 2,000 pounds of hash. With an English eccentric captain on board they set off to the big city. Once there they hung out at the Chelsea hotel and Gantos carried on dreaming about college. Then, in Jacks own words, "The **** hit the fan" and the F.B.I. burst in on him. He managed to escape and hid out in the very same welfare motel he was living during high school. However, he saw sense and turned himself in. He was sentenced to six years in prison, which he describes in his novel -HOLE IN MY LIFE-. However, after a year and a half in prison he applied to college, was accepted. He was released from prison, entered college, and soon began his writing career.
He received his BFA and his MA both from Emerson College. While in college, Jack began working on picture books with an illustrator friend. In 1976, they published their first book, Rotten Ralph. Mr. Gantos continued writing children's books and began teaching courses in children's book writing. He developed the master's degree program in children's book writing at Emerson College in Boston. In 1995 he resigned his tenured position in order to further his writing career (which turned out to be a great decision).
He married art dealer Anne A. Lower on November 11, 1989. The couple has one child, Mabel, and they live in Boston, Massachusetts.
www.jackgantos.com
Gantos was born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania to son of construction superintendent John Gantos and banker Elizabeth (Weaver) Gantos. The seeds for Jack Gantos' writing career were planted in sixth grade, when he read his sister's diary and decided he could write better than she could. Born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and raised in Barbados and South Florida, Mr. Gantos began collecting anecdotes in grade school and later gathered them into stories.
After his senior year in high school (where he lived in a welfare motel) he moved to a Caribbean island (St Croix) and began to train as a builder. He soon realized that construction was not his forté and started saving for college. While in St. Croix he met a drug smuggler and was offered a chance to make 10 000 dollars by sailing to New York with 2,000 pounds of hash. With an English eccentric captain on board they set off to the big city. Once there they hung out at the Chelsea hotel and Gantos carried on dreaming about college. Then, in Jacks own words, "The **** hit the fan" and the F.B.I. burst in on him. He managed to escape and hid out in the very same welfare motel he was living during high school. However, he saw sense and turned himself in. He was sentenced to six years in prison, which he describes in his novel -HOLE IN MY LIFE-. However, after a year and a half in prison he applied to college, was accepted. He was released from prison, entered college, and soon began his writing career.
He received his BFA and his MA both from Emerson College. While in college, Jack began working on picture books with an illustrator friend. In 1976, they published their first book, Rotten Ralph. Mr. Gantos continued writing children's books and began teaching courses in children's book writing. He developed the master's degree program in children's book writing at Emerson College in Boston. In 1995 he resigned his tenured position in order to further his writing career (which turned out to be a great decision).
He married art dealer Anne A. Lower on November 11, 1989. The couple has one child, Mabel, and they live in Boston, Massachusetts.
www.jackgantos.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 7, 2022
Ralph the cat displays a truly rotten attitude in this hilarious picture-book from 1976, behaving atrociously to his loving human girl, Sarah, as well as to Sarah's parents and everyone and everything else he meets. Things come to a head when the family attend the circus, and Ralph's rotten antics ruin the experience for all. Fed up, Sarah's father marches his family out leaving Ralph behind. A period of living rough on the streets follows for our feline anti-hero, and Ralph learns to appreciate what he had in Sarah. When finally reunited with her, he has learned to be less rotten... sort of.
I had a copy of Rotten Ralph as a girl, as well as a few others about the misdeeds of this cantankerous cat, and I recall reading and enjoying it countless times. There was something so transgressive and humorous about Ralph, who was truly rotten, and only ever marginally reformed, and it tickled my funny bone. The heartwarming conclusion was so satisfying to the younger me, providing some reassurance that even those who misbehaved in spectacular ways could be loved. I undertook my current reread because I would like to track down some later entries in the series, and I thought I would revisit the origin of the character. I am glad I did, as not only was I reminded of one of my childhood favorites, but I gained a greater appreciation for the somewhat trippy, 70s-style illustrations from Nicole Rubel. Somehow, although Jack Gantos' story stuck with me, I don't have a strong memory of reacting one way or another to the artwork. Perhaps this is because it didn't then seem so distant, aesthetically speaking, as it does now.
In any case, this is one I would recommend to young cat lovers, and to picture-book readers who enjoy slightly less sweet stories.
I had a copy of Rotten Ralph as a girl, as well as a few others about the misdeeds of this cantankerous cat, and I recall reading and enjoying it countless times. There was something so transgressive and humorous about Ralph, who was truly rotten, and only ever marginally reformed, and it tickled my funny bone. The heartwarming conclusion was so satisfying to the younger me, providing some reassurance that even those who misbehaved in spectacular ways could be loved. I undertook my current reread because I would like to track down some later entries in the series, and I thought I would revisit the origin of the character. I am glad I did, as not only was I reminded of one of my childhood favorites, but I gained a greater appreciation for the somewhat trippy, 70s-style illustrations from Nicole Rubel. Somehow, although Jack Gantos' story stuck with me, I don't have a strong memory of reacting one way or another to the artwork. Perhaps this is because it didn't then seem so distant, aesthetically speaking, as it does now.
In any case, this is one I would recommend to young cat lovers, and to picture-book readers who enjoy slightly less sweet stories.
July 27, 2017
falls in the category of scary 1970s-ish entertainment for children like the dark crystal. the illustrations are headache-inducing acid art kind of like r. crumb. the kind of book you'd read to your kid if you were the type to threaten them with abandonment at the orphanage when they're naughty.
April 30, 2011
I decided to read Rotten Ralph today because of my Aunt Lois. Today would be her birthday. On one of her visits, we had this book checked out from the library, and she found it absolutely hilarious! I can still hear her saying, "You are rotten, Ralph!" So in memory of Aunt Lois, the kindest and most wonderful of aunts, here goes.
Aunt Lois was right - this is hilarious. Ralph is the rottenest cat you can imagine. Before you read a word of the story, you can see in the cover illustration that he has taken the head off his owner's doll. But it gets worse as you read. He makes fun of Sarah when she practices ballet, he ruins her party, he chases mother's birds. And as if reading about his evil exploits were not enough, Nicole Rubel has drawn a devil-red cat with a nasty, leering expression. People cower at his rottenness. A fun book.
Aunt Lois was right - this is hilarious. Ralph is the rottenest cat you can imagine. Before you read a word of the story, you can see in the cover illustration that he has taken the head off his owner's doll. But it gets worse as you read. He makes fun of Sarah when she practices ballet, he ruins her party, he chases mother's birds. And as if reading about his evil exploits were not enough, Nicole Rubel has drawn a devil-red cat with a nasty, leering expression. People cower at his rottenness. A fun book.
July 25, 2017
A simplistic, predictable, and melodramatic story with a repulsive, evil-looking main character, odd humor, and unappealing illustrations:
Sorry, not my cup of tea.
Sorry, not my cup of tea.
December 3, 2012
This is the first story in the Rotten Ralph series by Jack Gantos and Nicole Rubel. It explains how Rotten Ralph becomes only slightly less rotten.
I didn't really like this book, but our youngest loved it, so I suppose there's something about it that appeals to young children. The narrative was irritating and depicts deplorable behavior. The fact that he is just dumped off is sad, and I know that I've emphasized to our girls that a pet is adopted for life, not until they are inconvenient.
The illustrations were comparable to other books in the series - I don't particularly like them, but they have a childish appeal. Our girls enjoyed this story, even though I did not.
I didn't really like this book, but our youngest loved it, so I suppose there's something about it that appeals to young children. The narrative was irritating and depicts deplorable behavior. The fact that he is just dumped off is sad, and I know that I've emphasized to our girls that a pet is adopted for life, not until they are inconvenient.
The illustrations were comparable to other books in the series - I don't particularly like them, but they have a childish appeal. Our girls enjoyed this story, even though I did not.
August 10, 2009
rediscovered this, reading to E, my childhood copy. I love it just as much now. So does E, she picks it regularly and has a little banter with Ralph and the characters and notices lots of fun details in the pictures. "You are a very hard cat to love, Ralph" is a great line. Dad, are you sure you didn't write this? The story, characters and even the illustrations make me think you did.
November 20, 2018
Rotten Ralph by Jack Ganto’s was a unique tale about a young girl named Sarah and her naughty cat Ralph. Sarah loves her cat but he is very naughty and makes a lot of people around them upset. Then one day they were at the circus and he was misbehaving so her parents left him there. Ralph soon came to realize how nice he had it with Sarah and was deeply saddened that he had taken his old life and his family for granted. Then one day Sarah found him, she had been looking for him everywhere, and they were all reunited. This book is one that I would have in my future classroom because it teaches kids to be thankful for what they have because it could be way worse. This book uses simple language so it easy to understand and read for children of all reading levels. Moreover, the illustrations are unique and the cat is red to show evil which contrasts against all of the other colors in the illustrations. The overall theme of this book is love and that even when someone makes bad decisions that you can still love them through it all.
November 1, 2023
Do you think your kid will benefit from reading a book that glorifies an anti-hero? Really???
In this book Ralph, the cat, does one naughty thing after another.
When he finally receives some CONSEQUENCES for his misbehavior, they're not doled out by his owners. Instead, they abandon him, leaving him at a circus. There he gets back some of his awful karma.
Eventually Ralph escapes from that circus. Sarah, the little girl who loves this (to me, icky excuse for a ) pet... She finds him.
"Oh, Ralph, I still do love you." she says.
Sigh!
RATING THIS BOOK
As always, my goal is to rate a title in terms of what the intended audience would like. Clearly, I am not an intended reader for books like "Rotten Ralph." However...
If you're planning to raise a Bad Boy, or a girl who's attracted to Bad Boys, this would be a FIVE STAR read. Likewise if you find it hilarious to read about a spoiled, naughty pet.
It takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders.
In this book Ralph, the cat, does one naughty thing after another.
When he finally receives some CONSEQUENCES for his misbehavior, they're not doled out by his owners. Instead, they abandon him, leaving him at a circus. There he gets back some of his awful karma.
Eventually Ralph escapes from that circus. Sarah, the little girl who loves this (to me, icky excuse for a ) pet... She finds him.
"Oh, Ralph, I still do love you." she says.
Sigh!
RATING THIS BOOK
As always, my goal is to rate a title in terms of what the intended audience would like. Clearly, I am not an intended reader for books like "Rotten Ralph." However...
If you're planning to raise a Bad Boy, or a girl who's attracted to Bad Boys, this would be a FIVE STAR read. Likewise if you find it hilarious to read about a spoiled, naughty pet.
It takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders.
February 19, 2025
This is one of the few books that has made me laugh out loud. This little book helped me forget (for a few precious minutes) my sore teeth, lingering flu and that the refrigerator died and parts for it are no longer being made.
It's an anti-children's book, perhaps intended more for the parents that have to read books to kids than their kids ... but kids are smart enough to figure out what's going on.
The drawing style is somewhere between Where the Wild Things Are and Clifford the Big Red Dog. It does get creepy at times. The little details alone are worth the price of admission, such as the dog Ralph torments at the Circus appearing at a windows to bark at him. The squirrels sleeping peacefully in a tree.
And yes -- Ralph is very much a cat, despite his boyish qualities like riding a bike or speaking English.
It's an anti-children's book, perhaps intended more for the parents that have to read books to kids than their kids ... but kids are smart enough to figure out what's going on.
The drawing style is somewhere between Where the Wild Things Are and Clifford the Big Red Dog. It does get creepy at times. The little details alone are worth the price of admission, such as the dog Ralph torments at the Circus appearing at a windows to bark at him. The squirrels sleeping peacefully in a tree.
And yes -- Ralph is very much a cat, despite his boyish qualities like riding a bike or speaking English.
June 6, 2020
I'm giving this book about a rotten cat five stars on behalf of my child who has made me reread this to him ten times during the past four days. This is a book about a cat who is terribly behaved and yet in the end is loved anyway. I feel like this says a lot about my attachment style with my son.
Anyway, the art reminds me of Peppa Pig (that whole ancient Egyptian style of art where both eyes are always shone and the outlines are clear but you know, with 1980's color scheme choices). It's busy and bright.
Whatever, this touches something in my kid's soul.
Anyway, the art reminds me of Peppa Pig (that whole ancient Egyptian style of art where both eyes are always shone and the outlines are clear but you know, with 1980's color scheme choices). It's busy and bright.
Whatever, this touches something in my kid's soul.
October 31, 2019
Ralph is so rotten he gets what he deserves when his family leaves him at the Circus. "Sometimes you are very hard to love." But, after time he finds he isn't happy there and leaves. Sarah eventually finds him and brings him home. Ralph learns that being just a little bit nice can be better than all his rotten ways.
Nicole Rubel's art is bright and splashy. Eye catching, child like drawings.
Nicole Rubel's art is bright and splashy. Eye catching, child like drawings.
Read
November 11, 2019Sarah’s cat, Ralph, was so rotten that Sarah and her family decided to leave Ralph at the circus one day. Ralph was so mistreated and lonely that he runs away and hides in an alley until Sarah find him and brings him back home, and Ralph decided to never be rotten again.
May 1, 2024
I used to read all of these books to my kids when they were young and just talked with my 21yr old daughter the other day about how much we miss it!!
Great no matter what age. Need to add to my collection ❤️
Great no matter what age. Need to add to my collection ❤️
August 16, 2017
It was funny when Mummy stuck out her tongue like the camel, but we didn't like that Ralph got punished by getting locked in a cage and starved.
November 29, 2017
mischief, animal, friendship, family; Would recommend for kindergarten.
October 17, 2018
It was a funny but a good lesson on how tp behave.
December 5, 2019
I really liked the theme in this story since it’s often easy to take the people we
have around us for granted. I really enjoyed the unique illustrations throughout this book as well.
have around us for granted. I really enjoyed the unique illustrations throughout this book as well.
November 15, 2021
Quirky story of a past generation of children's books with a good story arc and message.
August 4, 2022
The illustrations have a charming look. Ralph is a brat, but after a time of hardship does learn, sort of. The beginning is hilarious with all of Ralph's cat-like, and still non-cat like behavior.
October 19, 2023
Amusing children' book, the illustrations are hilarious!
November 19, 2023
Toddler agrees that this childhood fave of mine is still good. Weird, but good.
February 12, 2024
Entertaining, especially the drawings, but.... I wouldn't necessarily give this to a child to read 😅
November 21, 2020
Horrifying training manual for little girls who will be Future Abused Girlfriends. WHY does Sarah love and forgive Rotten Ralph, even after he humiliates her and refuses to conform to the most basic social precepts? Are we supposed to laugh at him? Admire her? I understand teaching by an opposite example, but this is plain creepy. If you can find a copy of this, keep it, because it will be a howlingly outrageous book in the future, just as Little Black Sambo is today.
March 11, 2010
This text introduces Rotten Ralph and Sarah to the early-primary-grades reader. It explains in very simple terms that Ralph is "Sarah's rotten cat, but Sarah loves him anyway." When she practices ballet, he makes fun of her. When she's swinging, he saws the branch off the tree that her swing is tied to. He ruins her party by taking a bite out of every one of her cookies. Ralph sits in her father's chair and blows bubbles out of his pipe. During dinner he rides his bike into the dining room and crashes it into the table. He chases mother's favorite birds with a net.
One night the whole family goes to the circus. Ralph is having a miserable time because a dog is barking in his ear. To rectify this, Ralph ties balloons to the dog's collar and he goes floating around the circus tent, so high up that the man on stilts can't even reach him. Next, Ralph ruins the trapeze and tightrope acts. Then he pushes the rider off a show horse and scares all the elephants. Sarah's father is fed up; he leaves Ralph behind at the circus. Sarah is in tears.
Next, Ralph is made to work at the circus sweeping up all the popcorn, watering the camels, and carrying barbells for the strongman. He refuses to be a target for the knife thrower, so they throw him in a cage and lock the door. While he's locked up, the other animals torture him. At night, Ralph slips between the bars of his cage while no one is looking and escapes. He sleeps in the alley surrounded by mean alley cats. He catches a fever and begins to cry. Luckily, Sarah is out looking for him and finds him sitting on a trash can. In the end, when they return home, the family is happy to see him. Ralph decides never to be rotten again, but the last page reveals that he can't keep his promise.
Although this book does a good job of establishing that Ralph is a devious cat and Sarah is his forgiving owner, in my opinion, it goes a bit too far. He seems devilish, which is a description I wouldn't necessarily use for him in the other books. Even the facial expressions he has in Rubel's drawings are a little scary, almost crazed looking. This book is very dark, in my estimation too serious, scary and evil for young readers.
This is the first book in the series. I feel as though the author and illustrator were just getting their feet wet in terms of publication. The quality is lacking. Text is very sparse and the illustrations leave something to be desired. It is noticeable when Rubel decided to change the color of a particular object or character because the colors bleed outside the lines. Frankly, it looks crude and sloppy. This is rectified in later installments. I feel that this text had potential to be a much stronger debut.
One night the whole family goes to the circus. Ralph is having a miserable time because a dog is barking in his ear. To rectify this, Ralph ties balloons to the dog's collar and he goes floating around the circus tent, so high up that the man on stilts can't even reach him. Next, Ralph ruins the trapeze and tightrope acts. Then he pushes the rider off a show horse and scares all the elephants. Sarah's father is fed up; he leaves Ralph behind at the circus. Sarah is in tears.
Next, Ralph is made to work at the circus sweeping up all the popcorn, watering the camels, and carrying barbells for the strongman. He refuses to be a target for the knife thrower, so they throw him in a cage and lock the door. While he's locked up, the other animals torture him. At night, Ralph slips between the bars of his cage while no one is looking and escapes. He sleeps in the alley surrounded by mean alley cats. He catches a fever and begins to cry. Luckily, Sarah is out looking for him and finds him sitting on a trash can. In the end, when they return home, the family is happy to see him. Ralph decides never to be rotten again, but the last page reveals that he can't keep his promise.
Although this book does a good job of establishing that Ralph is a devious cat and Sarah is his forgiving owner, in my opinion, it goes a bit too far. He seems devilish, which is a description I wouldn't necessarily use for him in the other books. Even the facial expressions he has in Rubel's drawings are a little scary, almost crazed looking. This book is very dark, in my estimation too serious, scary and evil for young readers.
This is the first book in the series. I feel as though the author and illustrator were just getting their feet wet in terms of publication. The quality is lacking. Text is very sparse and the illustrations leave something to be desired. It is noticeable when Rubel decided to change the color of a particular object or character because the colors bleed outside the lines. Frankly, it looks crude and sloppy. This is rectified in later installments. I feel that this text had potential to be a much stronger debut.
Read
March 1, 2017I love these illustrations so much
February 6, 2010
Rotten Ralph is simply one of those books that just appealed to me. Ralph is rotten, just plain rotten and he exhibits this in all of his evil actions and behaviors. However, deep down, I don't really believe Ralph is that rotten. He has fun and it is misinterpreted often times such as when he makes fun of Sarah when she practices ballet or when he sits in his father's chair to be cruel. One day, Ralph, Sarah and the family go to the circus. Ralph seems to fit in quite well at the circus where he is left behind. All is well at the circus until Ralph is kicked out, at which time Sarah takes him back. Sarah truly loves Ralph and although cliche and trite, Ralph loves her too ...and that is why I believe Ralph is not all that evil. He simply just has too much fun and sometimes he conveys this fun in the wrong ways!
Read
October 22, 2021It's kind of impossible to not like this book, despite the jarringly juvenile illustrations and absurd storyline about the truly wretched, mischievous cat named Ralph. (I'm a cat owner and even I was appalled by the orneriness of Ralph.) His folks love him, of course, but even they have their limits when Ralph disrupts an evening at the circus. As punishment, they leave him there, and Ralph learns how hard life can be when you are forced to be with people who don't have to love you. Of course there's a happy ending, but Ralph has to go through some rotten times to get there.
Perhaps the illustrations and absurdities are part of what give this fun picture book such heart and impishness. It's a fun and kooky read, and every cat owner can take comfort in knowing that their cats aren't nearly as rotten as Ralph.
Perhaps the illustrations and absurdities are part of what give this fun picture book such heart and impishness. It's a fun and kooky read, and every cat owner can take comfort in knowing that their cats aren't nearly as rotten as Ralph.
March 16, 2011
Rotten Ralph was first published in 1976, and continued to be published until 2005. Jack Gantos is a master with the pen. He has had plenty of time to sit and think and write brillent work. This particlular book is a micheveous red cat who enjoys playing pranks on his family. Jack Gantos wrote these books to be fun and emotionaly engaging. He wants a young reader to have a good laugh while taking a look at Ralph’s world of rotten behavior and Sarah’s uncondional love and then reflect on the reader's own life.
January 24, 2013
Ralph is a rotten cat who makes his family very angry. His family (human family) tells him to behave, and he doesn't listen. They decide to leave him at a circus because he caused such a ruckus. The story has a happy ending when Ralph sneaks away from the circus where the animals made him suffer.
This book has a good lesson, because in the end, Ralph realizes how much he took for granted and how much he truly loves his family. However, I didn't enjoy the illustrations. I probably wouldn't recommend this book just because there are other books that better convey this lesson.
This book has a good lesson, because in the end, Ralph realizes how much he took for granted and how much he truly loves his family. However, I didn't enjoy the illustrations. I probably wouldn't recommend this book just because there are other books that better convey this lesson.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews