Ralph Tells a Story

This is a great book for kids kindergarten to second grade who are just learning to express themselves through writing. Ralphie can never write a story because nothing ever happens to him or so he thinks. With a little help from a friend he learns that something happens every day and with a little imagination those everyday things can become interesting stories that everyone can enjoy.

Refrain familiar to all teachers -- "I don't know what to write about!" Ralph, with the encouragement of his friends discovers the writer inside! Love the illustrations, and there are a couple of chuckles too. Good mentor text, not didactic.

This book is an excellent story to which young children learning to become writers can relate. The pictures and text are humorous and believable, and this book piggy backs well on the Lucy Calkins Units of Writing.

I recently bought this book for my grandson. In the classroom, his teacher is encouraging the students to write stories and read them in front of the class. I thought this would be a good book for him.

In a field dominated with books about making friends in school, missing mom, and being bullied, Ralph Tells a Story is the first title I've seen about facing the horrors of academia. And these are very real. All across the nation wonderful teachers like Ralph's are encouraging their students to write wonderful stories.

And plenty of kids are coming up short. Kids like...my grandson Max, who regards the de rigeur three page story he must write each Sunday night as nothing short of The Great American Novel. Author Abby Hanlon deals with young Ralph's writer's block realistically and humorously, striking a nice balance between making fun of poor Ralph and entering into his feelings.

When he has his epiphany in the end and is able to tell a story, we are with him. We have been there ourselves. Ralph Tells a Story is wonderfully empathetic in tackling a basic problem kids face, succeeding in school. And the artwork is hilarious.

This wonderful, inspirational book by debut author/ illustrator, Abby Hanlon, is a must for every primary classroom. When Ralph's teacher tells her class that stories are everywhere just waiting to be captured, all the kids in the class get on board and start to write...all the kids....except Ralph. He tries, he really does try, to get inspired and is quite intimidated by his friend Daisy's thirteen page book which includes a lot of stories about him. She proudly staples her masterpiece together leaving poor Ralph feeling quite overwhelmed. He starts looking outside the classroom into the hallways, wants to visit the lunchroom ladies, checks out the aquarium and everything around him for ideas, but finds nothing to trigger his story. Finally despondent Ralph just crawls forlornly under his desk, ready to pack it all in, and label himself....hopeless. As he is reflecting in his little hideaway he is reminded of going to the park and finding an inchworm. That seems like an idea he can work with but alas he cannot create farther than that thought.

When his overzealous teacher calls all the writers forward to share their stories Ralph sits on his paper and tries to disappear into the carpet. You guessed it.... the teacher calls on Ralph to share first. Ever so slowly he heads to the front, dreading to tell his story. He begins by introducing the kids to the inchworm and then ........ nothing. His friend Daisy perks up and starts asking him questions, "Was it squishy Ralph?", others asked, " Did your mom let you keep it?" "Did you give it a name?" and on and on and on. Ralph's imagination gets sparked by the questions and he tells a tale that impresses the whole group. Everyone cheers him on and asks to see his picture and from that moment on Ralph morphs into a writer extraordinaire.

He puts pencil to paper and churns out story after story feeling confident enough about his skills to even give tips to others as to how to be a competent writer.

The illustrations are done in watercolour and coloured pencil and are soft and friendly. The poses and faces of the kids tell it all and work perfectly with the text to visualize the words. The book is written for kids ages 6-8.

Excellent book about a boy who had hard time coming up with anything to write in class.
He avoids writing by all means, and thinks that nothing ever happens to him, so he does not know how to come up with a story. His friend shows him how many stories she wrote about him. Friends and teacher help Ralph to come up and develop his first story. This gives him confidence to notice stories happening around him, and to write them down.
The illustrations are cute. There are many many "examples" of Ralph's stories at the end - just the front pages with illustration and the name - it gives good example to reluctant writer on how different stories can be.
My son had this book read to his class at school, and we borrowed it from the Kindle Unlimited library after that. He read it many times. His favorite is the end of the book with all the stories Ralph wrote.

Ralph's teacher tells him stories are everywhere, but he just doesn't have them. Everyone in his class has stories. Daisy has written tons of stories about Ralph. Ralph's teacher is kind, encouraging and the kids in the class ask questions until Ralph finds his story.

Quality children's picture books should have text and visuals that work together to help to tell the story. This book has simple child-like drawings with details that everyone will recognize; a classroom full of student work, Daisy as she smugly explains to Ralph that she has a story, and Ralph's changing expressions as he tries to think about something, anything to write. Children will see themselves in these drawings. The text is a sentence or two on each page, but techniques like italics, color, larger print, and word balloons make the reader aware of changing events in the story.

Quality children's books should have interesting language and this book doesn't disappoint. Ralph "roamed" the hallways looking for other things to do when he couldn't find a story. Some onomatopoeia words from the book - the stapler going click, click, Ralph's heart going thump, thump, and I could go on with the great words the author uses that will delight children. A quality children's book should be one that a parent and the child would like to read again. The story of Ralph and how he finds a story to tell is fun, entertaining, and joyful.

The level of the text in this book falls somewhere around 3rd grade. That does not mean that younger or older students could not and would not enjoy this book. With some vocabulary assistance, or a student who knows some advanced vocabulary a younger student would not have any problems reading this book. This book has lots of visual support and textual support. This is not a beginning reader book. The sentences, vocabulary and extra text in the word balloons are too complex for a beginning reader who is spending mental energy decoding words. However, if your beginning reader wants the challenge, then read it with them because this is a great read aloud sharing book.

I would use this book with older students, even adults, as a read aloud to help them as they struggle with finding stories for writing. Older students love it when the teacher reads aloud and finding topics for writing is not limited to age, grade, or reading levels. If you can't tell by now, I fell in love with this book. This book is going on my - books required to teach writing list. I love the blank Ralph papers on the front end papers and the "Books by Ralph" on the back end papers. I love the red-haired teacher, yes a personal response. I love the blue-lines pages, similar to notebook paper we all know from school. I love the page with the picture of the wonderfully full classroom of student work, favorite characters from other books, pictures of the children in the class, desks in groups not rows, a rug for group discussions, paper, pencils, books, and the stapler at student levels for use, and the students in comfortable positions around the room as they write. Every writing teacher needs this book, especially at the current price.

In a field dominated with books about making friends in school, missing mom, and being bullied, Ralph Tells a Story is the first title I've seen about facing the horrors of academia. And these are very real. All across the nation wonderful teachers like Ralph's are encouraging their students to write wonderful stories.

And plenty of kids are coming up short. Kids like...my grandson Max, who regards the de rigeur three page story he must write each Sunday night as nothing short of The Great American Novel. Author Abby Hanlon deals with young Ralph's writer's block realistically and humorously, striking a nice balance between making fun of poor Ralph and entering into his feelings.

When he has his epiphany in the end and is able to tell a story, we are with him. We have been there ourselves. Ralph Tells a Story is wonderfully empathetic in tackling a basic problem kids face, succeeding in school. And the artwork is hilarious.

This wonderful, inspirational book by debut author/ illustrator, Abby Hanlon, is a must for every primary classroom. When Ralph's teacher tells her class that stories are everywhere just waiting to be captured, all the kids in the class get on board and start to write...all the kids....except Ralph. He tries, he really does try, to get inspired and is quite intimidated by his friend Daisy's thirteen page book which includes a lot of stories about him. She proudly staples her masterpiece together leaving poor Ralph feeling quite overwhelmed. He starts looking outside the classroom into the hallways, wants to visit the lunchroom ladies, checks out the aquarium and everything around him for ideas, but finds nothing to trigger his story. Finally despondent Ralph just crawls forlornly under his desk, ready to pack it all in, and label himself....hopeless. As he is reflecting in his little hideaway he is reminded of going to the park and finding an inchworm. That seems like an idea he can work with but alas he cannot create farther than that thought.

When his overzealous teacher calls all the writers forward to share their stories Ralph sits on his paper and tries to disappear into the carpet. You guessed it.... the teacher calls on Ralph to share first. Ever so slowly he heads to the front, dreading to tell his story. He begins by introducing the kids to the inchworm and then ........ nothing. His friend Daisy perks up and starts asking him questions, "Was it squishy Ralph?", others asked, " Did your mom let you keep it?" "Did you give it a name?" and on and on and on. Ralph's imagination gets sparked by the questions and he tells a tale that impresses the whole group. Everyone cheers him on and asks to see his picture and from that moment on Ralph morphs into a writer extraordinaire.

He puts pencil to paper and churns out story after story feeling confident enough about his skills to even give tips to others as to how to be a competent writer.

The illustrations are done in watercolour and coloured pencil and are soft and friendly. The poses and faces of the kids tell it all and work perfectly with the text to visualize the words. The book is written for kids ages 6-8.

Excellent book about a boy who had hard time coming up with anything to write in class.
He avoids writing by all means, and thinks that nothing ever happens to him, so he does not know how to come up with a story. His friend shows him how many stories she wrote about him. Friends and teacher help Ralph to come up and develop his first story. This gives him confidence to notice stories happening around him, and to write them down.
The illustrations are cute. There are many many "examples" of Ralph's stories at the end - just the front pages with illustration and the name - it gives good example to reluctant writer on how different stories can be.
My son had this book read to his class at school, and we borrowed it from the Kindle Unlimited library after that. He read it many times. His favorite is the end of the book with all the stories Ralph wrote.

Ralph's teacher tells him stories are everywhere, but he just doesn't have them. Everyone in his class has stories. Daisy has written tons of stories about Ralph. Ralph's teacher is kind, encouraging and the kids in the class ask questions until Ralph finds his story.

Quality children's picture books should have text and visuals that work together to help to tell the story. This book has simple child-like drawings with details that everyone will recognize; a classroom full of student work, Daisy as she smugly explains to Ralph that she has a story, and Ralph's changing expressions as he tries to think about something, anything to write. Children will see themselves in these drawings. The text is a sentence or two on each page, but techniques like italics, color, larger print, and word balloons make the reader aware of changing events in the story.

Quality children's books should have interesting language and this book doesn't disappoint. Ralph "roamed" the hallways looking for other things to do when he couldn't find a story. Some onomatopoeia words from the book - the stapler going click, click, Ralph's heart going thump, thump, and I could go on with the great words the author uses that will delight children. A quality children's book should be one that a parent and the child would like to read again. The story of Ralph and how he finds a story to tell is fun, entertaining, and joyful.

The level of the text in this book falls somewhere around 3rd grade. That does not mean that younger or older students could not and would not enjoy this book. With some vocabulary assistance, or a student who knows some advanced vocabulary a younger student would not have any problems reading this book. This book has lots of visual support and textual support. This is not a beginning reader book. The sentences, vocabulary and extra text in the word balloons are too complex for a beginning reader who is spending mental energy decoding words. However, if your beginning reader wants the challenge, then read it with them because this is a great read aloud sharing book.

I would use this book with older students, even adults, as a read aloud to help them as they struggle with finding stories for writing. Older students love it when the teacher reads aloud and finding topics for writing is not limited to age, grade, or reading levels. If you can't tell by now, I fell in love with this book. This book is going on my - books required to teach writing list. I love the blank Ralph papers on the front end papers and the "Books by Ralph" on the back end papers. I love the red-haired teacher, yes a personal response. I love the blue-lines pages, similar to notebook paper we all know from school. I love the page with the picture of the wonderfully full classroom of student work, favorite characters from other books, pictures of the children in the class, desks in groups not rows, a rug for group discussions, paper, pencils, books, and the stapler at student levels for use, and the students in comfortable positions around the room as they write. Every writing teacher needs this book, especially at the current price.

Summary (SPOILER):
Ralph's teacher says that everyone has a story to tell, stories are everywhere! She seems to be right. During writing time at school, everyone around Ralph is writing their stories. The problem is, Ralph doesn't have a story to tell. He stares around the room, searches the hallways, and attempts to help the lunch ladies all to find a story. He wants to write, but he doesn't have anything to tell. He even asks the girl next to him, who tells him that she has written several stories about him. How could she write a story about Ralph when he has no stories to tell? When the teacher comes by, he has to think about something quickly, so he tells her a quick response. Then when it is time to share, Ralph stumbles with what he thinks is not a story. It isn't until after he tells a little that the questions from his classmates fly in. Ralph realizes he really does have a story to tell.

My thoughts:
This is adorable! It's definitely a child's version of writer's block. I taught first grade (many years ago) and had several students that just couldn't think of a story to tell; however, if you asked them a quick question, then they would have so much to say. Ralph just doesn't see all of the adventures that he has. I think this is a great book to teach that lesson. A Kinder or First grade teacher NEEDS to have this book. Share this story and show how Ralph finds all of his stories. This will probably help some of those struggling writers find their voices.

Love this book and everything this writer has written. Her young characters are among the most believable children in literature. And they are hilarious. She has such depth of understanding into their lives and desires, their inexperience, curiosity, innocence and off-the-wall ideas. Her illustrations are informed with the same ability to capture the essence of a real, loveable, believable young person. Haven't time to do justice to her books at present, but just to say that I highly recommend her books.

I loved this story! As a grandmother of early readers and as a former literacy teacher, Ralph's story illustrates the best practices of reading and writing. Most students at all grade levels (and authors) experience writer's block; and knowing that others are producing well-received stories doesn't help the would-be author any. How many times does a teacher (and editor?) say "write what you know about!", but Ralph still doesn't believe that his experiences are anything special. In addition to the story, the book's illustrations make the narrative so much more enjoyable. The watercolor and colored pencil sketched-type characters depict a young child's art work; the bubble-type dialogue engages the young reader; and the print style of Ralph's eventual story replicates how an early elementary school child would write. The regular narration of the story is in typical publishing font which makes it very easy for the reader to distinguish between the children's current thoughts and the relating of past thoughts. Finally, the last two pages highlight "Writing Tips from Ralph" and show "Books by Ralph". All these visuals come together in a most enjoyable story for an adult to read with a child

An excellent early readers' book. It will also inspire the young budding writer. A must for primary education students. Being a retired elementary teacher, I can't endorse the use of this book enough. Use in classrooms, homeschool, and teacher training.

A bonus is the fact that the illustrations demonstrate the youth's art ability for illustration is acceptable at any level. This author/illustrator has used watercolor and colored pencil techniques that can be copied easily. The art tools are cheap and readily available. A perfect opportunity to integrate the reading-writing teacher's curriculum with the art instruction.

The quality of this book's publication is good and solid for long life and frequent use. The dust jacket design is reproduced on the glossy hardcover with a washable finish. Perfect to place on the shelf of every age-appropriate classroom and school library.

The final test: my new-reader grandsons loved it. Now they're mailing me stories and pictures they made. Of course, I treasure those grandchild efforts even more than "Ralph Tells a Story."
A fine first book by Abby Hanlon.

So kids are heavy into writing by kindergarten, but not all of them are ready to generate. Sad to think that a kindergartener is already experiencing writer's block, but it's reality in our sit-in-a-desk-and-learn-early world. I can easily see this book as a circle time read used in conjunction with journal writing. At home, it would soothe a child with anxieties about writing. The book focuses primarily on the challenge of generating ideas and tells a very sweet story in which the classmates ask so many questions, the reluctant writer is inspired. Definitely captures the writing process. But it would be great to see a bit or two about how handwriting too can be a roadblock to writing for young ones. They have a million ideas, but the physical act of writing can be a challenge that inhibits creativity, too. Probably not a book your child will fall in love with and read over and over again, but it hits just the right spot for the reluctant writer.

The previously (see update below) negative review was only regarding the electronic form of the book. In paper form I think this is a good story with a valuable message for children learning to write but the need to add electronic gimmicks had ruined this book. The text in the electronic book is made too small to read even though there is enough room to have had larger text, or even better, allow zoom to function in the book. Instead to read the text you had to tap on the text to enlarge it, which would have been an annoying interruption of the reading flow if it worked right, unfortunately it didn't. It amazes me how little vetting and editing is done with some of these electronic books. In this case sometimes one tap works and sometimes you have to tap a dozen times (not an exaggeration, try it) to get the text to enlarge to read it. This would be bad enough but a lot of the text is close enough to the edge of the book page that tapping just causes the page to turn rather than enl... Read more

My almost-six-year-old twin grandchildren liked this book very much. They weren't especially knocked out by the illustrations but they did like the story a lot. They found it engaging and funny, and they particularly liked Ralph's schoolmate Daisy. I defer to the twins' judgment when it comes to illustrated children's books because they know better than I do (much of the time) what works for them. And this one is a keeper. [I did read the sole negative review on this book, and strongly agree with the teacher who posted a comment: it wasn't a fair review. Prejudging content based on an adult's sensibilities is unfair both to the author and also to the potential child audience.] This is a very good first effort by author Hanlon and I would definitely be prepared to buy future books by her.

I used this story wit my first grade students while we were doing a unit on write and illustrate. Our township library has a contest each year and this book provided a great story for my students as they learned that stories are everywhere! They thought it was neat that Ralph also had problems writing stories and made them think about the many different ways we can really find stories everywhere. We just have to be looking for them.

Any child will love this book and little boys will absolutely identify with Ralphie. This book and, I'm guessing all Ralph's stories shown at the end, will greatly appeal to girls, boys and any adult who is reading it to them. I would have loved thus book as a child, heck I enjoyed it now.