About this book

* "This well-crafted story is an excellent choice for those seeking books featuring conflict-resolution." -- Booklist, starred review

In two little houses,
on two little hills,
lived two best friends...

So begins the story of Rita and Ralph. Every day they meet to play beneath the apple tree. It's always fun and games -- until one roundly rotten day when a new game means someone ends up crying. Who knew it could be so hard to say "I'm sorry"?

Just when it seems nothing will ever be right again, a surprising thing happens. The old friends try something new, that isn't new at all. Something they've done a hundred times...

Carmen Agra Deedy's brilliant storytelling combined with Pete Oswald's spirited illustrations make for a comforting tale of healing and true friendship.

Reviews

Praise for Rita and Ralph's Rotten Day:

* "Oswald's illustrations take full advantage of this book's elongated format, accentuating the distance between the friends' houses... Deedy's realistic portrait of the ups and downs of friendship will strike a familiar chord with young readers. This well-crafted story is an excellent choice for those seeking books featuring conflict-resolution to help children learn to manage their emotions and build healthy friendships and boundaries." -- Booklist, starred review

"A sincere and sympathetic but unsentimental treatment of a challenging behavior for youngsters -- the admission of wrongdoing and the repair of friendship -- told with a lilting cadence by noted storyteller Deedy.... Kids can glean a lot from Rita and Ralph: miscommunication is an easy, inevitable occurrence between friends, and though making up is much more difficult, it's always worth a shot, and accountability goes a long way when making amends. A corresponding hand game, "Mr. Wiggle & Mr. Waggle," complete with diagrams, accompanies the text." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Recommended

* "A terrific read-aloud... Rita and Ralph's tiff, told with a sweet freshness, is a timeless, engaging tale with which any young reader is likely to identify.... Best friends learn that asking for -- and accepting--forgiveness is an up-and-down process in this delightful picture book." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review