Ralph Tells a Story

by Abby Hanlon

Although his teacher insists there are stories everywhere, Ralph cannot think of any to write.

Genres: Picture Books, Writing, Childrens, School, Realistic Fiction, Humor, Storytime

34 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Abby Hanlon is the author and illustrator of Dory Fantasmagory, a series of chapter books for five to nine year olds, published by Dial/Penguin Random House. The first book in the series was named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Parent's Magazine. It won a Golden Kite Honor for Fiction and is an American Library Association Notable Book. The sequel, Dory and The Real True Friend won a 2015 Cybil award. The books have been translated in twenty-four languages and are Junior Library Guild selections.

Abby has a bachelor's from Barnard College and a master's degree in childhood education from the City College of New York. Abby has taught creative writing and first grade in the New York City public school system. Her debut picture book, Ralph Tells a Story (2012), is widely used by elementary school teachers. Abby illustrated the picture book, Chester Van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme, written by Avery Monsen (2022). Chester Van Chime is a 2023 Bank Street College Best Books pick and a Good Housekeeping Best Kids’ Books of 2022 selection.

Abby lives with her family in Brooklyn, NY.

Reviews

[sAmAnE · Rating 4 out of 5]

در مورد ترس بچه‌ها از نوشتن...جالب بود.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a boy named Ralph who thinks he can't write a story. The problem is that he thinks it's harder than it really is. His classmates can all do it, but for whatever reason, he has no confidence in his abilities. It isn't until he's up in front of the class that he really gets what storytelling is all about: you simply explain what happened. And, wouldn't you know it? Ralph actually has a pretty good story to tell about his day in the park with an inchworm.

The pictures are, at first glance, pretty rough. But they actually work really well with the story. The titles of the kids' stories are amusing (not least because the spelling is pretty bad). One of my favourite parts is actually at the end, where we see a library of all of Ralph's stories. He's actually a pretty decent speller. "The Scariest Hamster" and "The Smelly Band-Aid" sound like bestsellers to me...

Also included at the back are Ralph's tips for writing. They're pretty much common sense, especially Tip #4 ("Eat lots of chocolate."). I like how this book encourages kids to write their own stories, showing them that it's really not so hard... and that it's okay to ask for help.

Overall, this is a good picture book for budding writers, or even just for kids who may think they don't have a story to tell. Ralph shows them that it's not as hard as they might think, and they can find a story if they just look for one.

Quotable moment:

[Shabnam_wr · Rating 5 out of 5]

( دنیا پر از قصه است )
• این کتاب برای گروه سنی ج مناسبه چرا که کودک ،  حداقل باید درکی از  انشا نوشتن و قصه نوشتن و اینا داشته باشه ، و دلیل دوم هم این هست که جمله های کتاب  طولانی هستش و برای بچه های کوچک ممکن هستش که خسته کننده باشه.
البته اگه شما بزرگسال هستید و اهل نوشتن هم هستید ، این کتاب برای شما هم میتونه مناسب باشه.
• این کتاب راجع به شخصیتی هستش به اسم رالف که دوست داره قصه بنویسه ولی ایده و طرح برای قصه هاش پیدا نمیکنه....

[Carolynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

How many of you have had writer's block? From time to time, right? Well, Ralph seems to have been born with it. No matter what he does, Ralph can't think of any stories to write during language arts time. He is surprised to learn that his classmate Daisy has written so many stories she cannot staple them--stories about him! Finally when he is cornered he tells how he once saw an inchworm at the park, and his classmates questions help him to realize there really was a story there. The cartoonlike illustrations created with watercolor and colored pencil are appealing and expressive. Don't miss the endpages--but there is one story on the inside back cover that I don't like! You can guess which one.
The lexile measure is 330.
Great book to stimulate writing and brainstorming and collaboration: every K-3 library should own this book!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bet this helps a lot of kids (and parents!) who don't feel that they can be creative. I kinda feel awkward about seeing creative writing as an assignment... but when I think about it, it is a skill that everyone needs to try to develop, just like arithmetic and spelling, etc.

The pictures are odd, but very well-suited to the text. I especially love the "our favorite characters" display with everyone from Madeline to Pigeon.

[Carolanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent book to share with young writers who struggle to think of a story to tell.

[Fatemehshahvari · Rating 4 out of 5]

برای بچه‌هایی که دوست دارن قصه بنویسند:)

اتفاقا یکی از بچه‌های فامیلمون رو دیدم تو عید دیدنی و مامانش گفت قصه می‌نویسه، و دلم خواست اینو براش بخرم اگر رفتم کتابفروشی 😍

[Zahra Yazdani · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتاب بانمکی بود و دوسش داشتم.

[Tayebe Ej · Rating 5 out of 5]

یه کتاب عالی برای جرئت دادن به بچه‌ها برای داستان نوشتن

[The Reading Countess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable. Ralph's story (or lack thereof) needs to be told during every beginning of the year writing workshop. We know that despite modeling with our kids, despite heart maps and quick writes, despite sketching and turn and talk time that we have kids in our rooms who struggle to put their ideas on paper. Ralph's story (or lack thereof) will resonate with these kids; it will resonate with anyone who stares into an abyss wishing for an idea to magically pop up. I'm other words, Ralph's story (or lack thereof) but subsequent success will hit a nerve with us all. I'm impressed by the author/illustrator's commitment to drawing her own pictures despite her lack of formal training. The artwork is wonderfully sophisticated while still retaining a huge amount of childlike qualities. I can't wait to read this one when we begin personal narratives in the fall. Highly recommended!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I were an elementary school teacher just so that I could read this book to my class to get them interested in writing (then I'd follow it up with Rufus the Writer).

"Stories are everywhere," says Ralph's teacher. And it's true. Every day, kids have stories to tell of what happened to them. But Ralph can't seem to think of anything. It's when another kid starts writing stories about things that happen to Ralph that he realizes that his life is full of stories and is able to write one of his own.

This is another children's picture book that I'm going to have to own. It's brilliant and inspiring ... even for adults with writer's block I think.

[Kenya Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I homeschool my three little ones so we're always reading books. This was a great one that touched close to home. It was basically about a struggling writer, but on a child's level. Ralph had trouble finding a way to tell his story, but he figured it out in amazing ways. This is a perfect read for any kid under 12!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great encouragement for kids who feel stumped by creative writing. Grades K to 2.

[Dareen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book to show students that they can write about anything and to get students to motivate one another.

[Rachel Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ralph, the main character, struggles to write a story during writing time every day. He does everything he can to get out of his chair, run errands for the teacher, and make up excuses for why he needs to leave the classroom. He is in a writer's block, until one day, his classmates help him come up with a story from a real-life experience. Ralph writes a brilliant story about a worm and all of his classmates love it. From that moment on, Ralph knows that if he gets into a writer's block again, then he can think of a personal experience and write about it. I gave this story five stars because I was brought into the story, and I was able to make a connection with the story. I was in a writer's block before, and if I would have read this story or had a teacher read this to me, then I would be able to think of many things to write about. I would use this story to help beginning writers understand that they can write about anything in the world as long as details are included. The teacher, in this story, constantly reminds the class that details are important, and they are allowed to write anything they want. Students need to have the opportunity and freedom to write about whatever they want to because it helps build their stamina and encourages them to perfect their writing skills.

[Sonia Donelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al mondo non c’è niente di più potente della fantasia dei bambini, devono solo sentirsi liberi di lasciarla galoppare senza porle freni perché solo così nasceranno delle storie fantastiche. Lo dice la maestra di Ralph, ma lo pensa qualsiasi adulti, anche il più piccolo avvenimento può diventare una storia da raccontare, basta non fermarsi all’apparenza delle cose e guardare oltre. Anche Ralph può farcela e nonostante il blocco iniziale presto si renderà conto che anche lui ha tantissimo da raccontare e sa farlo anche molto bene. Un libricino delizioso che insegnerà ai vostri bambini a credere di più in loro stessi e a buttarsi nelle piccole sfide che vengono loro poste ogni giorno.

[SilverNediya · Rating 5 out of 5]

وای
!
یه کتاب از نویسنده‌ی دُری، با شخصیتی که چشما و لُپای دُری رو داره و همون‌قدر خوردنیه

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un album super inspirant pour tous les enseignantes et enseignants, ou pour tous les professionnels travaillant avec les enfants, lors des ateliers d'écriture. Des illustrations naïves, proche de celles que feraient un enfant, alimentent cette histoire loufoque, mais semblable à la réalité de plusieurs jeunes. Une histoire simple, efficace sur le plan de la forme et du contenu, et si divertissante à lire!

[Patrick Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for the Ralph in Your Family

I wish we had read this prior to second grade. Ralph is a kid who isn't the best at thinking up stories to write. His tips are invaluable for your six or seven-year old. (Especially #4...)

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really a fun book about the struggles to write from the perspective of a little boy. I can think of so many kids who would relate to Ralph.

[Jamil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ralph's writing tips may the best writing advice I've ever recieved.

[Jenny Corrado · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book to pair with author studies and story writing.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story for encouraging kids to write. Not my favorite read aloud due to all the side comments.

[Elham · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔺رالف قصه می‌نویسد؛
داستانی برای نویسنده‌های کوچک

الهام فخرایی

ابی هنلن، نویسنده و تصویرگر کتاب، داستان را از زبان کودکی به نام «رالف» روایت می‌کند، رالف می‌گوید: خانم معلم ما همیشه می‌گفت: دنیا پر از قصه است. و بچه‌های کلاس همیشه آنها را پیدا می‌کردند.
اما رالف با پیداکردن ایده‌ها و نوشتن داستان مشکل دارد. او کلی فکر می‌کند، به برگه زل می‌زند، به سقف خیره می‌شود، اما هر بار به جز اسمش هیچ کلمه‌ای روی صفحه کاغذ ننوشته است. رالف هر کاری می‌کند و به هر دری می‌زند تا از قصه نوشتن شانه خالی کند. مثلا مرتب می‌رود سر وقت آب‌خوری، یا برای رفتن به دستشویی اجازه می‌گیرد، توی راهروها وقت می‌گذراند، به همکلاسی‌اش پیشنهاد می‌دهد که کاغذهای قصه نویسی‌اش را منگنه کند و حتی داوطلب می‌شود که به خاله آشپز در مدرسه کمک کند، اما قصه ننویسد. چرا قصه نوشتن برای رالف این‌قدر سخت است؟

درجایی از کتاب، رالف تعریف می‌کند که: یک روز بعد از اینکه خانم معلم من را برگرداند سر جای خودم، به دیزی التماس کردم کمکم کند. «من نمی‌توانم قصه بنویسم… چون که هیچ اتفاق جالبی برایم نمی‌افتد!» دیزی گفت: «الکی نگو! خودم تا حالا کلی قصه درباره‌ات نوشتم.» به نظر رالف، دیزی نویسنده محشری است، حتی وقتی رالف در کشوی میز دنبال قصه می‌گردد و یک جوراب آنجا پیدا می‌کند، دیزی بلافاصله قصه بعدی‌اش را با عنوان «ماجراهای جوراب» شروع می‌کند.

رالف سر درنمی‌آورد که چطور باید این مشکل را حل کند، تا اینکه یک روز برای پیداکردن قصه، زیر میز دراز می‌کشد و بعد یاد آن روزی می‌افتد که روی چمن‌های پارک همین‌طوری دراز کشیده بود، به آسمان نگاه می‌کرد و آفتاب می‌خورد توی چشم‌هایش و ناگهان یک کرم روی پای او شروع کرده بود به وول خوردن، حسابی غرق فکر و خیال‌کردن بود که معلم او را پیدا کرد و بعد…

ابی هنلن با بیان ماجرای رالف از زبان خودش، به شکلی ساده و ملموس خواننده کودک یا بزرگسال را با دل‌نگرانی‌ها و مشکلاتی که یک کودک ممکن است در انجام تکالیفش با آن مواجه شود، آشنا می‌کند. نکته مهم دیگری که ابی هنلن در قصه گنجانده است، اهمیت حضور هم‌سالان در یادگیری و حل مساله بین کودکان است. نویسنده این ویژگی را به دفعات به‌کار می‌گیرد.

داستان «رالف قصه می‌نویسد» با نقاشی‌های ساده و رنگ‌های گرم و چهره‌هایی که احساسات را به خوبی نشان می‌دهند و البته طنز موجود در آن می‌تواند از جمله کتاب‌هایی باشد که بچه‌ها را به مدرسه و معلم‌ها علاقه‌مند کند و البته به‌خصوص برای معلم‌ها و والدین به عنوان طرح فعالیت در کلاس درس یا خانواده کاربرد داشته باشد.

فکرش را بکنید که بچه‌ها با آن روحیه کنجکاو و ذهن پرسشگرشان، چه داستان‌هایی می‌توانند درباره اتفاقات پیش‌آمده از زاویه دید خودشان بنویسند و این موضوع تا چه اندازه به بهبود جنبه‌های روانشناختی آنها نظیر برون‌ریزی عاطفی، کاهش استرس و افزایش اعتماد به نفس و نیز تقویت جنبه‌های شناختی و پرورش قوه تخیل آنها کمک خواهد کرد.

کتاب «رالف قصه می نویسد» می‌تواند برای شما و بچه‌هایی که با آنها سر و کار دارید، یک نقطه شروع برای تمرین نویسندگی باشد؛ امتحان کنید و تجربه‌هایتان را به اشتراک بگذارید.



#نوشتار
#الهام_فخرایی
#فعالیت

@RadioP4C

[Grace McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Ralph Tells A Story, I was very intrigued on the topic of the picture book. This book is about a young boy who, with a little help from his friend, gets over a case of writing block. This little boy, Ralph, has trouble getting past putting his name on the top of the paper and can never think of any stories to write about.

This book brings comic relief to a topic that many young students deal with. I liked how the plot is very relatable because it makes this book a possible good read for children ages 6 to 8.

The author illustrates the book with funny scenes and she uses light colors and friendly-looking children. These children are happy and I like how she uses speech bubbles to show what the children are writing, thinking, and saying. I also like how at the end of the book, there are writing tips from Ralph because they might actually be useful to some children.

Overall, this book was very engaging and it provides the readers with a fun story. This story is very interesting and keeps the reader intrigued with what will happen next. Will Ralph think of a story? Will he never be able to be a writer? I found this book a very helpful and fun way to help young children become readers AND writers.

[Anthoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthoni Garcia

A way Ralph shows that he can believe in himself to make a story is by using his classmates as a tool not in a weird way but like using then for help like he used them as a tool by asking answering questions from them which Improved Ralph´s story adding more to it for I could just say expanding his story but ever since he answered does questions it has changed him from the type of kid he was Ralph himself proved himself that he could write a story which was a big challenge he did not believe in himself but his classmates proved him wrong a classmate of him told him she wrote lots of stories about him.

I also chose this book because it shows lots of ways how characters show that they can successfully complete their challenges the Author of this book abby hanlon shows how also little kids could understand what people could go through with different kind of challenges it's so great how abby hanlon shows how ralph was reacting towards him trying and trying to make a story she showed how ralph also tried to avoid writing a story by doing stuff little kids won’t do.

[Srujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this cute story about a boy called Ralph and his efforts towards putting words to a story. I used the book to discuss with my tinies that storytelling does not have an exact formula. Each one of us is a story teller with a unique way/manner of story telling. We don't have to wait until we find the perfect story. Every mundane event has a story, just like how every adventure has a story. After reading the book, we told each other some stories that we made up impromptu - a story about playing Garba, a story about visiting my aunt, they told me a story about visiting their grandma, a story about a mile long traffic jam that we were stuck this morning while we were reading the story - and so on. It made them so happy when I complimented them on their story telling. I have a feeling we are going to come back to this book everytime I feel I need to give their creativity a gentle nudge. We loved it! ❤️

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 stars from Miss 3 / 4 stars as a parent and educator

An encouraging story for kids struggling to write at school that you don't need to write epic tales; it's fine to write about what you had for breakfast or the time your dog farted or when your lego went all over the floor etc. Miss 3 liked the examples at the end of all the different simple stories he ends up writing.

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Kathryn A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ralph is stuck when it comes to writing a story. With the help of a friend, he is able to start a habit of being an author.
I used this book as an introduction to story writing in my third grade classroom. I wanted to have them start a list of things to write about. Some were raring to go after reading this story. I will continue to refer to it if children struggle. Next, we will be plotting our story and we can use this book as a reference, since Ralph is telling the story himself and it has a problem and solution.
I recommend this to any teacher who is starting a writing unit for creative writing or narratives.