vicky's
books funny
picture books for funny
kids!give it back to the stork. It's a great gift for a child getting a new sibling, or anyone who likes a funny story and
whimsical illustrations.
Swingin' Pigs
Ralphie
and the
Swamp Baby
ISBN-10: 0805068368
ISBN-13:
978-0805068368
32-pg. hardcover picture book
Ages 4-8
Written and
illustrated by Vicky RubinSwamp Baby
ISBN-10: 0805068368
ISBN-13:
978-0805068368
32-pg. hardcover picture book
Ages 4-8
Buy on:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Booksense.com independent bookstore locator
Contact me if you would like
a personalized signed copy
($25 including postage with option to gift-wrap at no extra cost and send directly to the giftee)
contact:
vicky_rubin@yahoo.com
Read more about Ralphie in Children's Writers and Illustrators Market
A Bank St. College Best Book
of the Year Selection
".....perceptive tale about sibling rivalry... [Rubin] paints Ralphie in true kidlike fashion."
-Publishers Weekly
32 pg. hardcover picture book
Age 4-8
May 2004
ISBN-10: 0805068368
ISBN-13: 978-0805068368
Henry Holt Books for Young Readers
"Ralphie ran home from school, happily clutching his egg-catching trophy. Mom and Dad would be so proud!"
Unfortunately, Ralphie's parents don't seem nearly as interested in his prize as he'd hoped. They are too excited about the new egg they're hatching. But Ralphie isn't sure he wants a baby brother or sister, especially one who gets all the attention. He must do something about that egg!
When Ralphie's plan goes hilariously wrong, his doting family helps him realize there's more than enough love to go around. Maybe having a new sibling won't be so bad after all.
My older brother did his best to make me feel unwelcome. He's pretend to leave me in various places. Eventually, though, he got used to me. Remembering those early years of trying to keep up with a big brother gave me the inspiration for this book. That, and the idea of a tiny yellow sweater with a tail!
Reviews
from Publishers Weekly:
"A young alligator addresses some powerful feelings in this perceptive tale about sibling rivalry. As an only child, Ralphie has always enjoyed lots of attention from his family. But now that there's an egg in the house waiting to hatch, Mom can barely look up from knitting a tiny sweater, Dad is humming lullabies and Grandma Saurus 'couldn't stop talking about the you-know-what.' Feeling greener than his usual green self with jealousy, Ralphie hatches not an egg but a plan to bring the egg back to the stork, from whence he believes it came. A harrowing — and informative — trip to the stork's nest awakens some brotherly instincts in Ralphie, and he decides that his family's egg (eventually a little sister) is worth keeping. In her children's book debut, Rubin demonstrates a light touch while treading on some complicated childhood emotional territory. She paints Ralphie in true kid-like fashion, sorting through confusion, unhappiness and a change of heart. Chipper ink-and-watercolor compositions depict a cozy home and happy-faced family that could stand in for the country cousins of Lyle the Crocodile. Ages 4-7." Publishers Weekly (Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information, Inc.)
for
kids and parents together, January 9, 2005Reviewer: Teacher of Teachers
I work in a teacher education program. This book is perfect because it's charming and whimsical yet doesn't talk down to its audience. Rubin's dry wit complements her expressive illustrations--parents and teachers will find laugh-out-loud moments for themselves.
It's
better than *Cats*, I'd read it again and again Reviewer: viveca-v from Alexandria, VA
The story and illustrations are great. The author has a dry sense of humor that makes this book a winner for kids and parents.
ralphie's
a lovable devilReviewer: molly savin from Brooklyn, New York
This book is just delightful. My grandson adores Ralphie, who's also a lovable devil. When Ralphie comes home with a mud-wrestling trophy, he find his parents all mushy about something else. An egg! Their egg! Ralphie's antics are hilarious as he tries to get rid of the sibling-to-be but just in time, he changes his mind. The illustrations are great, too, with lots of sly jokes. We love Ralphie!
