I am a big fan of children's literature, they say the hallmark of a good children's book if it can hold the interest of an adult and entertain them. Sadly this did not. Bring on Kate DiCamillo and Roald Dahl. ( )

“Best in Show for Rotten Ralph” is an easy reader about Ralph, a cat whose biggest talent is being rotten. Ralph wants to enter a cat show to beat his perfect cousin Percy, but he just can’t motivate himself and he doesn’t think he has any chance of winning. Finally his friend Sarah decides to help him get into shape by chasing butterflies and wind-up mice. When Ralph gets to the show, he tries to do everything right, but he just can’t figure it out. He finally realizes that his best chance is to be himself – rotten!

This book is a lovely example of how it pays off to be yourself, even when it seems like it would be better to pretend to be somebody else. It also shows that being perfect, like Percy, does not always get you everything you want – this could be great for kids learning to deal with not always being the best. K – 3rd grade. ( )

Rotten Ralph competes against Pefect Percy in the cat show. Ralph loses in all the parts of the competition until he decidedes to be himself. He still loses, but wins "The worst at being best in show". ( )

This book is an example of fantasy. The book is centered around a talking cat named Ralph. While this book has relevant themes, such as being yourself, it isn't easy to relate to. The cat does cat things and I can't figure out what is going on in it. Best in Show is definitely a pageant thing, but it is also an animal thing. I am confused by it. The book is still believable and entertaining, but not my prime choice of fantasy.

Percy is a good foil character in this book. Ralph the lead, is an untalented, unclean, trouble maker and Percy is the opposite of him. Percy is a goody goody, is very clean, and has many talents.

Media: Marker

This is a humorous story about a cat named Rotten Ralph who competes in a cat show with his cousin Perfect Percy. His personality shines in the end to earn him a unique award when he remembers to just "be yourself." I thought this was a funny book which beginning readers would enjoy. The colorful illustrations help to support the text which give readers some picture clues. I found it interesting to find out that the first book in this series was published in 1976 and that because of it's wide appeal, it is still going strong. Even though it's a beginning reader, the language is still colorful and has rich vocabulary.