Ralph S. Mouse
First off, I have to say that this book is very appropriate for the grade level that we chose it for. The plot is primarily about the adventures of Ralph, the mouse, and I think the way that he reacts to situations is an accurate representation of where third and fourth graders stand cognitively and emotionally. He is rather self-involved, taking things personally that aren't really meant to hurt him and often reacting selfishly. At the same time, he is capable of understanding how others feel and the consequences of hurting them. It is his empathy for his relatives and for the custodian at the Inn that urges him to leave and go to the school. At the same time, he was not able to see why his buddy needed him to run the maze, so he did what he wanted instead. The only reason he even tr
Most importantly, though, the illustrations are as realistic as the character's actions. Unlike the mouse in Stuart Little, the only two things that Ralph does that are "human" is talk and ride a motorcycle. His little trials are at times humorous, but still, they help children to identify with him and to understand that his problems are as big to him as theirs' are to themselves. They are capable of making sacrifices to help others, so long as they grasp the reason behind the need. He did not simply go traipsing off into the blue to find his next destination, despite the weather, distance, and odds. It's as though Beverly Cleary put the mouse in each circumstance and thought to herself, "Now what would a mouse do? What might they be thinking, that makes them act that way?" There was one instance in the book that exemplified how close to "mouse-hood" she kept Ralph's actions: when he wanted to leave the school, but decided he couldn't because he would freeze in the snow and never make it anywhere. The plot itself is entertaining. The last thing I want to mention is the illustrations. Of course, a real mouse would never try to cross a city in the middle of winter, and the author simply added reasoning to the decision. ied the maze was to gain back his motorcycle. This is by no means a picture book, but there are enough drawings to illustrate the important moments throughout the story and to keep children's interest. A mouse, which is as intelligent as it's human friends and can speak to special people, can ride a motorcycle, and which runs away to live at an elementary school. Ralph looks like a mouse, no matter what situation you see him in. One of the things I like the most about this book is that Ralph still has mouse characteristics and habits, even beyond his appearance.
Common topics in this essay:
Beverly Cleary,
Little Ralph,
ralph mouse,
beverly cleary,
ride motorcycle,
leave school,
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Acceptance Essays
